Babymouse Cupcake Tycoon

Summary: Babymouse accidentally causes the fire sprinklers to turn on in the school library causing a lot of books to get ruined. In result, a fundraiser is held to raise money for books. The student who raises the most money by selling cupcakes will win a prize. Felicia is Babymouse’s biggest competition. Felicia has advertiser’s working with her. Babymouse comes up with several ideas on how to sell more cupcakes, but is unsuccessful until she gets a bright idea to sell them at a sidewalk stand. She begins to make sales when it starts to downpour. She is soaking wet when a news van stops to record her story. Babymouse ends up selling the most cupcakes and receives a plaque with her name on it, which is the grand prize. Unfortunately, her name is misspelled; it has two s’ instead of one.

Bib Info: Holm, J. & Holm, M. (2010). Babymouse cupcake tycoon. New York, NY: Randomhouse Children’s Books.

Interest Level: 3-6

Impression: This graphic novel is cute. The pages are filled with pink, black, and white illustrations. The narrator is Babymouse’s father. It is interesting to read his questions to her regarding her decision making. I think students would find her adventure and obstacles she endures entertaining.

Reviews and Awards: Booklist 10/15/10, Wilson's Children 09/01/11, Horn Book 05/01/11

Reviews: Grades 4-6. In her latest adventure, Babymouse accidentally sets off the sprinkler system in the library. With many of the books ruined, the school decides to run a cupcake fund-raiser. Felicia uses catchy slogans and ads to sell hers, but every scheme . . . er, plan Babymouse tries ends in disaster. This time, her overactive imagination does point the way to one plan that maybe, just maybe will work. Young readers will enjoy Babymouse’s daydreams, especially her view of the library as a wonderful landscape of books and the nonfiction section as “the tomb of the unknown fraction.”
[Review of the book Babymouse cupcake tycoon, by J. Holm & M. Holm]. (2010, October 15). Booklist, 106, 11. Retrieved from: http://www.booklistonline.com/

When the library is flooded and books are destroyed (accidents happen, Babymouse), the school holds a fundraiser. Babymouse's entrepreneurial spirit (and her competitive streak) emerge as she tries to out-sell Felicia and win the special prize. This graphic novel's plucky heroine, pink-tinted daydreams, and sassy narrator continue to be rich with humor, warmth, and cupcakes.
[Review of the book Babymouse cupcake tycoon, by J. Holm & M. Holm]. (2011, Spring). Horn Book. Retrieved from: http://www.hbook.com

Use in library setting: This charitable story can be linked to math. It could also be linked to advertising and raising funds. Students could brainstorm ways they might raise money for books at their school.