Synopsis
Mouse tumbles from a branch just as a cat is about to grab him then he falls into a hole right as a bird is swooping down to catch him. Soon after, he gets pricked by a thistle and shoots into the air, narrowly escaping a mean snake. After each mishap, Mouse laments his bad luck, not realizing that it certainly could have been worse!
School Library Journal
K-Gr 2-A small, accident-prone mouse has many mishaps while walking home from a visit with his uncle. At first, readers will feel sorry for Ratoncito, but then they will realize that all of his missteps actually save him from being eaten by various animals including a giant cat. Double-page cartoons heighten the suspense. Children will enjoy the repetition of the refrain: " pero, podria haber sido peor!" In the end, mama mouse tells him, " Podria haber sido mucho peor!" (It could have been much worse.) The text and colorful pictures work together to present a tale with a "look at the bright side" message. Great for storyhours.-Vianela Rivas, New York Public Library