102

PreS-Gr 3–A tender and imaginative story that beautifully blends whimsy with warmth. A young boy, sick with a fever of 102, discovers that his mother has just caught a mouse. Soon, the boy is swept into a dreamlike adventure guided by a mouse and a cricket, as the number 102 appears as a subtle thread throughout the story. Each animal the boy meets teaches him about care, courage, and protection, mirroring the love of a parent watching over a sick child. Cordell’s ballpoint pen illustrations, rich with color and texture, add a sense of immediacy and heart that draws readers into the boy’s feverish imagination. The artwork feels both intimate and alive, perfectly matching the story’s emotional tone. As the adventure unfolds, we learn that the mouse’s mission to find one more bean to heal his sick baby parallels the boy’s own experience of being cared for. The boy’s compassion shines through when he saves the mouse from being discarded by his parents. This act of empathy ripples through the story, reminding readers of the interconnectedness of kindness and care. The book closes with a touching revelation: the story is being told by the boy, now 102 years old, reflecting on that long-ago fevered night. This tale offers a wealth of discussions about empathy, family, and the ways we protect one another. This book is a wonderful choice for read-alouds, social-emotional learning, and art integration lessons.