Mine!: (Read Aloud Books for Kids, Funny Children's Books)

Start with one rock. Add two mice. The end result? A never-ending battle! Or is it? Using only one word, along with many brightly colored and lively illustrations, Jeff Mack brings his hallmark humor to this rollicking book that will have readers of every age reconsidering whether "Mine!" is the best answer. Start with one rock. Add two mice. The end result? A never-ending battle! Or is it? Using only one word, along with many brightly colored and lively illustrations, Jeff Mack brings his hallmark humor to this rollicking book that will have readers of every age reconsidering whether "Mine!" is the best answer.

30 review for Mine!: (Read Aloud Books for Kids, Funny Children's Books)

4 out of 5

Dianna – Jul 27, 2017

My two-year-old laughed and laughed at this one, even though I'm fairly sure he didn't understand what was going on in the story. But he certainly could relate to the word "mine." My two-year-old laughed and laughed at this one, even though I'm fairly sure he didn't understand what was going on in the story. But he certainly could relate to the word "mine."
5 out of 5

paula – Apr 07, 2017

Take this to your next storytime training to show how much storytelling can be accomplished with just one word and a ton of inflection!
5 out of 5

Danielle – Apr 12, 2017

Jeff Mack and this book are brilliant.
5 out of 5

Faith Tydings – Sep 07, 2017

No!
5 out of 5

Michelle – Mar 01, 2019

Perfect for babies
5 out of 5

Katy – Nov 07, 2017

Very funny and a good way for kids to understand tone, etc. Probably will not use for storytime, though I could. Not sure it's the best way to show kids to share (as they would have to understand the subtext), but it's fun. Very funny and a good way for kids to understand tone, etc. Probably will not use for storytime, though I could. Not sure it's the best way to show kids to share (as they would have to understand the subtext), but it's fun.
5 out of 5

Betsy Ellor Words Unbound – Sep 10, 2018

What parent or child does not relate to a battle over what is MINE! The story is simple, with an unexpected twist at the end, but the illustrations make it hilarious. Since the book is written using only one word, it gave my new reader a fun confidence boost to be able to read a whole book easily. It also gave him a chance to practice with punctuation. For younger kids this could be an easy-going way to introduce discussions about sharing. But lessons and learning aside this is just a laugh-out- What parent or child does not relate to a battle over what is MINE! The story is simple, with an unexpected twist at the end, but the illustrations make it hilarious. Since the book is written using only one word, it gave my new reader a fun confidence boost to be able to read a whole book easily. It also gave him a chance to practice with punctuation. For younger kids this could be an easy-going way to introduce discussions about sharing. But lessons and learning aside this is just a laugh-out-loud funny read from start to finish. This book has great re-readability as well. My son has already asked to read this several times, which he doesn't do as often as he used to. There is a lot to look at in the illustrations and it gives the reader a chance to ham it up and have fun with the word MINE!
4 out of 5

Becky B – Jul 12, 2018

Two mice claim a rock as "mine." Things escalate until a surprising event removes the rock from the equation. In his signature style, Mack has once again written an entire book with just one word repeated with different punctuation and illustration clues to get the story across. This may be a really good opening for a discussion with kids who are a little too possessive or reluctant to share. Emergent readers should love that they can read this entire book all by themselves. Two mice claim a rock as "mine." Things escalate until a surprising event removes the rock from the equation. In his signature style, Mack has once again written an entire book with just one word repeated with different punctuation and illustration clues to get the story across. This may be a really good opening for a discussion with kids who are a little too possessive or reluctant to share. Emergent readers should love that they can read this entire book all by themselves.
4 out of 5

Kelly – Nov 19, 2017

The use of a solitary word throughout the book conveys a complete story of two mice competing for the same rock.
4 out of 5

Tasha – Jun 18, 2017

Two mice discover a large rock that they both want to own. What ensues is a one-word argument back and forth between them and an ever-escalating battle of dominance. The mice use cheese to tempt each other along with wrapped gifts. Other rocks also play a role and pile around the bigger rock. There are walls of rock, knocked down by a wrecking ball. Finally, the two mice are together on the rock, arguing with one another. That’s when the ending takes a great twist. Mack has a delightful sense of Two mice discover a large rock that they both want to own. What ensues is a one-word argument back and forth between them and an ever-escalating battle of dominance. The mice use cheese to tempt each other along with wrapped gifts. Other rocks also play a role and pile around the bigger rock. There are walls of rock, knocked down by a wrecking ball. Finally, the two mice are together on the rock, arguing with one another. That’s when the ending takes a great twist. Mack has a delightful sense of humor and timing in this picture book. The writing could not be simpler, with only one word being used in the entire book. The illustrations work particularly well with their limited palette and bright colors. They have the feel of the vintage Spy vs. Spy, with the two mice in their distinct colors battling one another. There are sneaky attacks and all out blasts. It’s a wild look at the hazards of not sharing. Great for toddlers learning about sharing, reading this aloud will have you shouting “Mine!” in all sorts of tones. Appropriate for ages 2-4.
4 out of 5

Mama Bibliosoph – Dec 17, 2017

I interviewed Jeff Mack back in March and had been looking forward to the release of this book ever since he and I chatted. Mine! is about a blue mouse and an orange mouse who are fighting over stuff (a rock, cheese, a gift-wrapped present, etc.), a wonderfully universal conflict that children can easily relate to. The mice plot against each other Tom and Jerry style, and the feud gets hilariously physical. The only word in the book is "Mine!," and it is written in orange or blue so you know whic I interviewed Jeff Mack back in March and had been looking forward to the release of this book ever since he and I chatted. Mine! is about a blue mouse and an orange mouse who are fighting over stuff (a rock, cheese, a gift-wrapped present, etc.), a wonderfully universal conflict that children can easily relate to. The mice plot against each other Tom and Jerry style, and the feud gets hilariously physical. The only word in the book is "Mine!," and it is written in orange or blue so you know which mouse is speaking. I love nearly wordless picture books for kids who script since they will inevitably be "read" differently each time. And for a child working on sharing, this is a great social skills reinforcer. --- I review books for children from the perspective of a parent of kids with autism. The review above is part of a longer two-part blog post about the best 2017 releases:
4 out of 5

Cindy Hudson – Jun 06, 2017

It’s hard to imagine a picture book with only one word, yet parents with more than one child will know that a complete story can be told just around the word, “mine.” Jeff Mack’s delightful book tells the story of two mice. One stands at the top of a rock planting a flag and declaring it’s his. Another mouse looks up with a frown and schemes to lure the first one down so he can say the rock is his. The two escalate tactics for replacing each other on the rock until they get a big surprise at the It’s hard to imagine a picture book with only one word, yet parents with more than one child will know that a complete story can be told just around the word, “mine.” Jeff Mack’s delightful book tells the story of two mice. One stands at the top of a rock planting a flag and declaring it’s his. Another mouse looks up with a frown and schemes to lure the first one down so he can say the rock is his. The two escalate tactics for replacing each other on the rock until they get a big surprise at the end. It’s a cute depiction of sibling rivalry that will surely have kids giggling.
4 out of 5

Patricia Tilton – Sep 27, 2017

A picture book with only one word- Mine! Jeff Mack’s highly entertaining story is a favorite with my great grandson. This is a perfect read-aloud story for young children who are learning to share. It is a clever story about sibling rivalry and will elicit many giggles from children. The pacing is spot-on. His bold and colorful illustrations are expressive and show the building tension between the two mice, one blue and the other orange, as they try to outsmart each other. This book belong in e A picture book with only one word- Mine! Jeff Mack’s highly entertaining story is a favorite with my great grandson. This is a perfect read-aloud story for young children who are learning to share. It is a clever story about sibling rivalry and will elicit many giggles from children. The pacing is spot-on. His bold and colorful illustrations are expressive and show the building tension between the two mice, one blue and the other orange, as they try to outsmart each other. This book belong in every pre-school.
5 out of 5

Debbie J – May 28, 2017

Mine! succeeds as a cute story about battling over possession of something until the fates force you to realize neither you nor your competitor can own it—at least not permanently. Reading between the lines, however, wanting something because someone else has it--or lacks it--is perhaps human (or cartoon mouse) nature. Author Jeff Mack wrote Mine! for children but his charming tale might provide a beneficial message to grownups too.
5 out of 5

Westerville – May 15, 2017

Jeff Mack really has a good thing going here, with his ultra-simple, expressive, funny books that showcase the different meanings of a word via inflection and context. - Becky, Collection Development Reserve a library copy. Jeff Mack really has a good thing going here, with his ultra-simple, expressive, funny books that showcase the different meanings of a word via inflection and context. - Becky, Collection Development Reserve a library copy.
5 out of 5

Niki Marion – Jun 26, 2017

An antagonistic conflict of trickery and possession between two mice escalates until the large stone they've been feuding over asserts its own autonomy. Hilarious and colorful in every aspect of the word, MINE is another excellent example of the narrative an author/illustrator can create with only one word. The last spread, which spills onto the endpapers, is well-planned & -executed. An antagonistic conflict of trickery and possession between two mice escalates until the large stone they've been feuding over asserts its own autonomy. Hilarious and colorful in every aspect of the word, MINE is another excellent example of the narrative an author/illustrator can create with only one word. The last spread, which spills onto the endpapers, is well-planned & -executed.
5 out of 5

Lynn Davidson – Mar 04, 2019

This story had me chuckling all the way through. Two little mice each lay claim on an apparently large boulder. MINE! is the only word in the whole book, used in each situation. The competition gets serious as each tries to outwit the other. Funny ending followed by a final humorous scene. Great illustrations.
5 out of 5

Viviane Elbee – May 05, 2020

There is only one word in this book, and that's the word MINE! The illustrations however, show that mine can have different nuances - from a territorial and possessive MINE to a surprised and pleased MINE. The illustrations of the two mice fighting over the rock are funny, and the kids were delighted by the ending scenes. There is only one word in this book, and that's the word MINE! The illustrations however, show that mine can have different nuances - from a territorial and possessive MINE to a surprised and pleased MINE. The illustrations of the two mice fighting over the rock are funny, and the kids were delighted by the ending scenes.
4 out of 5

MaryLibrarianOH – May 15, 2017

Just the book for friends or siblings who have a hard time sharing. The only word used is "mine" but so much is conveyed in that one word and the illustrations. The mice antics are great and I loved the surprise ending. Fun book to share with toddlers. Just the book for friends or siblings who have a hard time sharing. The only word used is "mine" but so much is conveyed in that one word and the illustrations. The mice antics are great and I loved the surprise ending. Fun book to share with toddlers.
5 out of 5

Juliana Lee – Jun 15, 2017

Orange Mouse and Blue Mouse battle over a large rock. Who will be king of the hill? Their attempts at taking ownership of the rock increase in strategy and hilarity until the rock gets up and moves away leaving the mice with one piece of cheese.
4 out of 5

Terri – Jun 21, 2017

Bright colors and bold lines highlight this funny tale of two mice. Children will enjoy the big illustrations and surprise ending. The book could be used in a classroom setting to explore how punctuation can change word meaning and tone, or to explore ideas of friendship.
4 out of 5

emyrose8 – Jun 22, 2017

Practically wordless (just uses the word 'mine') and hilarious. Maybe not everyone has fought over who gets the rock, but kids will definitely relate to the battle over who is the one to have the special thing. The twist at the end is great! Practically wordless (just uses the word 'mine') and hilarious. Maybe not everyone has fought over who gets the rock, but kids will definitely relate to the battle over who is the one to have the special thing. The twist at the end is great!
4 out of 5

S – Jul 17, 2017

'Wordless' in the sense that there's only one word. 'Mine' is thrown around as two mice fight for dominance over a rock. The rock is not a rock... Another book to add to my 'apologize to the turtles' collection. 'Wordless' in the sense that there's only one word. 'Mine' is thrown around as two mice fight for dominance over a rock. The rock is not a rock... Another book to add to my 'apologize to the turtles' collection.
4 out of 5

Vicki – Oct 18, 2017

Two mice I think need to learn to share. However in the hilarious story is really told more in the simple yet effective illustrations. Check out the actual book cover underneath the book jacket – Ha!
4 out of 5

L – Feb 05, 2018

A perfect choice for teachers wanting to demonstrate the effect punctuation can have on a word or sentence. By repeating one word, the story is told with the accompanying illustrations and punctuation.
5 out of 5

Jesse – Feb 13, 2018

This reads like a Looney Tunes cartoon; two mice raise the stakes higher and higher as they try to claim a rock for themselves. It doesn't work well as a read aloud as the only word in the entire books is "mine". This reads like a Looney Tunes cartoon; two mice raise the stakes higher and higher as they try to claim a rock for themselves. It doesn't work well as a read aloud as the only word in the entire books is "mine".
4 out of 5

Sheri – Feb 20, 2018

Very short book and easy to read with one word and different punctuation. Most of the story is told in the illustrations with the two mice and the surprise ending is fun. This might be fun for a small child to read on his/her own.
5 out of 5

Lydia – Jul 12, 2018

Two mice argue over who is "King of the Rock", using just the word "mine". Sad, but too often true! Though at the very end you could ask readers what they think will happen next and if the mice have learned anything, what should happen next. No content issues. Two mice argue over who is "King of the Rock", using just the word "mine". Sad, but too often true! Though at the very end you could ask readers what they think will happen next and if the mice have learned anything, what should happen next. No content issues.
4 out of 5

Rebecca – May 12, 2017

Jeff Mack really has a good thing going here, with his ultra-simple, expressive, funny books that showcase the different meanings of a word via inflection and context.
4 out of 5

Alison – May 18, 2017

Spy vs. Spy for a younger crowd. :)