Mabel and the Big Wide World – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: Overcoming your fears and anxieties.
Children’s book title: Mabel and the Big Wide World.
Children’s author: Paul Stewart.
Children’s illustrator: Jane Porter.
Genre: Children’s picture book.
Published by: Otter-Barry Books.
ISBN: 9781915659279.
Recommended for children aged: 3+ year-olds.
First published: Paperback June 2024.
This children’s book is ideal for: reading and discussing with nursery groups.
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Our review:
Mabel the mouse lives in a big barn with her brothers and sisters. Mabel is the smallest and by far the most anxious! She is scared of everything that lies outside her barn, and to keep herself safe, she never leaves it.
However, this means that poor Mabel misses out on all the fun activities, games, and adventures with her brothers and sisters. She looks out and longs to be with them, but she can’t bring herself to pluck up the courage to leave. All year long, through all the seasons, Mabel stays in her barn – safe and worry-free.
But one day, a beautiful rainbow shines outside and Mabel looks through her little peephole. Gradually, she ventures out of the barn to get a closer look…
“At last!” everyone cried.
Bravery overcomes fear and Mabel gets to explore life beyond the barn. She enjoys all the seasons, all different types of weather, and even helps her brothers and sisters overcome their fear of a thunderstorm!
It just goes to show that one step towards bravery can change your whole life, and for Mabel, it certainly did!
Our verdict:
Mabel and the Big Wide World is a heart-warming picture book aimed at younger children who are feeling anxious and scared. This book shows them that things are not always as scary as they seem; they just need to have a bit of courage and channel their inner Mabel!
The images in this book are stunning, with detailed collages of landscapes, flowers, and life in and out of the barn. Not only is this book about overcoming anxieties but it can also be used as a reference book for exploring the seasons.
Mabel and the Big Wide World is a truly wonderful book that any child below the age of 7 would be delighted to read.
Teaching points and book club discussion ideas:
- What are some things you are scared of? What do you do to help you overcome those fears?
- What is Mabel worried about? What helps her to overcome her fears?
- Create collage pictures of each season.
- Explore each season and look at similarities and differences.
- Resources: Paul Stewart explores his writing process.
Many thanks to Otter-Barry Books for the review copy.
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If you like Mabel and the Big Wide World by Paul Stewart, illustrated by Jane Porter you might also like: our reviews of Mariana and the Merchild by Caroline Pitcher and Jackie Morris, Gina Kaminiski Rescues the Giant by Craig Barr-Green and Francis Martin, Little Bear Lost by Jane Hissey and This is Happy! by Anna Ross and Debi Gliori.
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