Marcello the Movie Mouse($6.95Value)

Description

Marcello Moustriani is a little mouse who lives in a movie theater. While other mice gather cheese at the Parmesan factory, Marcello dreams of making his own film someday. But how can he do it? There’s no camera, no crew, and every day is just work, work, work at the factory. To top it all off, Ravioli, the theater cat, lurks around every corner, ready to pounce on his cast and crew. But Marcello just won’t give up! Vibrant illustrations, an unusual setting, a clever storyline make this a fun and uplifting tale. Grade 1-3–Otoshis considerable talents are grievously misplaced in this self-serving tribute to the cinema. Tiny Marcello Mousetriani loves movies and dreams of making a film of his own. He overcomes obstacles, including a lack of equipment (everything he needs is conveniently abandoned in an attic), a lack of budget (he forages for food, yet hires a swing gang), and, of course, the constant threat of cat attacks. After a lot of hard work, he finally completes his masterpiece–whatever that is, since the creative vision that drives him receives only cursory attention. But nevermind; its brilliant. Next thing we know, Marcello is at the M.I.C.E. Awards, accepting accolades as Best Director. Hockinsons facile text is loaded with industry jargon and silly wordplay that will hold little meaning for young readers. The book looks great, but high style is no compensation for poor substance; this whole project belongs on the cutting-room floor. –Catherine Threadgill, Charleston County Public Library, SC Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Otoshi's illustrations really shine for young children and older readers will keep this book in their collection to remind them to always trust their heart. -- Long Island Press 2006 Stunning absolutely gorgeous illustrations leap out and make the book wonderfully appealing, especially the cover with its bold reds and mustard, and gilt edging. The entire book provides lots of opportunities for readers to get lost in its fictional world. The text has laugh out loud moments for both kids and adults. The writing style is lovely and lyrical. The book's message to "follow your heart" is wonderful - yet it is simply relayed in a subtle way. -- Writer's Digest April 2006 We are all Marcellos. Tiny beings trying to achieve our dreams. But there will always be people and obstacles that stand in our way. I hope that children will take from this book the message: Believe in yourself and never give up! Marcello is a tiny mouse who lives in the Grand Palazzo Theatre. While other mice gather cheese at the Parmesan factory, Marcello watches movies, and only dreams of making his own film someday. But tough times are ahead: no camera, no crew, and every day is just work, work, work at the factory. to top it all off, Ravioli, the theatre cat, lurks at every corner, ready to pounce. That's a big job for such a little mouse," says Papa, shaking his head. But Marcello just won't give up! Two Movie loves, Liz Hockinson and Kathryn Otoshi, have teamed up to create a heartwarming story that reminds youngsters to never give up on their dreams. Liz Hockinson spent nearly every Saturday of her childhood at the Miami Shores Theater in Florida. She loves movies just as much as Marcello does, but she loves writing children's books even more. Her adventurous life traveling around the world, writing for newspapers, and teaching English has given her plenty of stories to tell. She lives in Northern California with her family and her cat Tigger (a.k.a. Ravioli). Kathryn Otoshi is the author and illustrator of "What Emily Saw" and "Simon and the Sock Monster." A former art director at Industrial Light and Magic, she loves watching movies, and won't leave her seat until she's seen the final credits. Kathryn lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, Daniel, and a tiny mouse named Marcello, who she feeds cheese and popcorn to every day. Liz Hockinson was born in Brooklyn and raised in Miami, where she first became enchanted with the silver screen. As a girl, she rode her bike every Saturday to the Miami Shores Theatre to watch reel after reel of moving pictures. With Marcello the Movie Mouse, her first picture book, she seeks to share her love of film with young readers, and to reflect the splendor of the old-time theatre experience. Liz began studying writing at Florida International University, where she attained a BA in English and went on to take graduate classes in creative writing. She also studied visual arts, emphasis in painting. Liz finds the picture book to be an ideal form of expression. "I was a Disney groupie as a kid," she says, "and I spent a lot of time drawing Bambi, Dumbo, and Charles Shultz's Charlie Brown. I see stories with pictures, many times moving pictures, in my head." Liz raised three children; her focus on children's literature was only natural. She spent 10 years teaching writing at both high school and