Kids will enjoy the behind-the-scenes drama and machinations but it's their grown-ups who will appreciate the sly references to various classic musicals. ( )

I know I said the novelty is wearing off this series, but this volume won me back. Babymouse dreams of being in the spotlight--this time as the star of the school musical--but the spotlight goes instead to familiar rival Felicia Furrypaws. Babymouse isn't completely out, though: she's cast as the understudy, so we can only hope that Felicia gets sick at the last minute. Will it happen, and will Babymouse be able to handle the role?

10 volumes in and Babymouse hasn't changed much--either as a character or as a series. Babymouse herself is still caught up in her own imagination, and the narrator still communicates through snarky asides. The musical-theatre theme of this volume means daydreams and narrator asides spoofing other musicals--Phantom of the Opera (or Locker in this case), The Lion King, Annie, and more. The narrator's Gilbert & Sullivan riff was a personal favorite ("I am the very model of a graphic novel narrator / I have information on the action, scenery, and characters / I tell the reader when you're in Antarctica or Paris or-- / when your locker's trying to ensnare you with its tentacles!") There's less interaction with other characters in this volume than in previous--Babymouse is cheered on by new-kid Henry and less abused by Felicia, but her actual friends are, at best, background. Still, for fans of the series, this is another great entry, recommended for all ages (but mostly ages 3-5). ( )

Babymouse is back, this time starring as understudy to her nemesis Felicia in the school production, which she is persuaded to audition for by new student Henry Higgins. The wink, wink, nudge, nudge musical references don't stop there, as Babymouse finds herself in the midst of scenes from Chorus Line, Grease, Annie, Lion King, and more, though only readers who have actually seen or listened to the shows will get all these jokes. Babymouse gets the chance to perform the last scene in the show when Felicia falls ill, but true to form, her fifteen minutes don't go quite as planned. The graphic novel format and Babymouse's earnest antics make for a quick, amusing read. Babymouse fans will be pleased as always with this episode, and theatre buffs will certainly enjoy this particular book, as well. Recommended for grades 1-4. ( )

When new boy Henry Higgins encourages Babymouse to try out for the elementary school musical, she gets cast as the understudy to popular Felicia Furrypaws but daydreams herself into the lead of dozens of classic musicals. Truly hilarious parodies of musicals like The Phantom of the Opera, My Fair Lady, Grease and A Chorus Line are the heart of this graphic novel, though many readers may not yet be familiar enough with these allusions to appreciate all the jokes. Fortunately, high-spirited Babymouse is as loveable as always, and fans of the Babymouse series will not be disappointed. As in previous books, the storyline alternates between Babymouse’s fantasies and humorous school situations, and tricolored cartoons in black, white and pink make up the illustrations. Recommended for readers age 6-10. ( )

4Q 5P

Minimal use of color throughout the book is effective in highlighting interesting parts of the drawings and story.