I opted to read this book together with my young nieces, ages 3 and 5, as I am somewhat outside the age range. Even so, I liked reading this book with them, as the art style reminded me a lot of the picture books I remember from my own childhood. The girls liked the story of Mimi and her desire to be the "mousestro" of an orchestra, and we used this story to talk a little bit about why sometimes girls are told we can't do certain things - and how we often overcome those obstacles, just like Mimi does. I think this is a great book for both parents and kids alike, as it has a bit of a nostalgic feel and is less brightly colored than many contemporary books, making it a very visually calming experience.

I just read this with my 3 year old, also called Mimi, and she was enchanted by this story and beautiful drawings!
The story and style of art is very reminiscent of the stories I grew up with like Beatrix Potter. It’s whimsical, classic, and full of magic.
We were so happy to see that Mimi got to be the first girl mousetrap and loved the elements of city life vs the musical garden.

All in all this is an easy 5 ⭐️ read and I would highly recommend to other parent with children of a similar age.

I really loved this children's book! I wasn't expecting it to be a feminist storyline, but it really was - and I loved how it addressed sexism in a way that children will understand, but also in a way that they experience. Little girls are often told my little boys that they can't be something just because it's mostly men that are famous for doing it (football is the first to come to mind), and I like that this could inspire them to ignore all that.
And the art was so pretty! If my library does buy this, I'll absolutely recommend it.

Mimi is devasted when her brothers scoff at her ambitions to be a mousetro and leave her alone to pursue dreams of their own. What follows is her adventures as she finds her way from her lonely music shop to a beautiful garden where magic happens. The muted colors and whimsical drawings complement the dreamy quality of the narrative and the storyline speaks to anyone (particularly females) who have big dreams to accomplish.

I loved this picture book so much! What a wonderful story filled with such positive affirmations. Besides the engaging story, I loved the artwork as well.

As someone who just started a Free Little Library in my neighborhood, this is the perfect book to get and give to other kids for their parents to read to them.

I plan on buying a physical copy to own and one to place in my LFL.

What a delight to read!

Mimi and the Gold Baton is the start of wonderful discussions regarding women in the music world, particularly as ensemble leaders. The beginning sets up Mimi as a rootable, likeable character, we see her begin to overcome obstacles, and then the story sort of abruptly ends. The ending could be another page or two to really feel like the journey was worth it. Overall, the message is super clear and critical, and has cute connections of the mouse world to our world.

I liked the animation style and the illustrations in this book!

I think this book has great lessons, such as the idea that you can do anything as long as you set your mind to it. I also liked that the story touched on the theme of sexism.

Great story!

This book was absolutely adorable! 🐭✨ Mimi stole my heart the second she raised her little baton with that proud, determined look on her face hands down the cutest illustration in the whole book! 😍🎶

Mimi and the Golden Baton is a heartwarming story about inclusivity, courage, and following your dreams, no matter how small you are. The message that there’s a place on the stage for everyone is beautifully done, and the colorful illustrations bring it all to life in such a fun and uplifting way. 🎻🎷🥁

Such a joyful, empowering read perfect for little ones who need a reminder that their voice (or music!) matters too. After all… even a mouse needs to be heard. 💛

Mimi & The Gold Baron is a delightful story perfect for readers young and old. Readers will be delighted by the stunning illustrations and Mimi’s journey. Perfect for my four year old who is learning how to conduct, seeing herself in Mimi. A wonderful tale of perseverance, chasing your dreams, and building your community.

Great message, nice story and beautiful illustrations!!! Loved it. Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to red this book!

This was super cute and the illustrations were wonderful. If I had kids I would read this to them, but my cats will have to do for now.

Thank you, Netgalley for the review!

This was a precious book filled with an inspiring story. We follow Mimi in her quest to become the first girl “mousetro.” She overcomes her grief of losing her parents and the meanness of her brothers.

Along the way she makes friends in the most unlikely of places. She discovers a magical and musical garden where she creates her very own orchestra.

This was a sweet book with breathtaking illustrations. I’m excited to share this book with my children and their friends!

A delightful book with a lovely story about a young mouse who aspires to become the very best orchestra leader and perseveres throughout much hardship.
The illustrations by Nicolo Carozzi are complex, imaginative, and FUN in brilliant colors.
Well suited for reading alone or WITH someone of any age, including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, but especially to a school, waiting room, or your local public library!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital Galley on Thorium PDF from Cheryl Olsten | Fleecydale Press via NetGalley. *****review #NetGalley #bookbub #goodreads #storygraph
#MimiandtheGoldBaton by @cherylolsten and illustrated by @nicolocarozzi @ibpalovesindies @greenleafbookgr #FleecydalePress @childrensbookcouncil @librarythingofficial #picturebookart #kidlit #storytelling #picturebook #illustration #childrensbooks #imagination #pursuingdreams #perseverance #orphaned#accomplishinggoals #overcoming #storytelling #bookshop_org #bookshop_org_uk #indiebookstoresca

Sweet, inspirational story about a girl mouse who wants to be a musician. I loved this! The pictures are beautiful and there aren't too many words that young children will stay interested. There is a plot but it moves quickly, which is what I want from a children's book.

Deeply charming story, from the gorgeous cross hatching in the illustrations to plucky Mimi, determined to become a the first girl mouse-tro. It has flow reminiscent of a fairy tale. The tragic orphaning, her only remaining family being her sneering, mouse-ogynistic brothers who abandon her to pursue their own dreams, the chance meeting with the kindly conductor who gives her the magic item that is the key to healing a musical wound in the world. A feast for the eyes and a story that I can tell would be fun to read again and again. I want to join a ticker-cheese parade!

A delightful children's picture book about a young mouse and her determination to become an acclaimed mousetro will having young readers delighted! Pages that are filled with whimsical illustrations will captivate all who embark on this wonderful literary journey with a mouse on her quest to find the perfect location to hold her top performance. However, the lessons instilled will remain with readers for decades-- lessons about determination, self-love and self-acceptance, and being true to the friends we make along our routes.

This was a delight to read, it is beautiful, the illustrations are an absolute wonder and the story is so sweet.
Mimi and the mouse baton a short story about a little mouse with a dream a breadstick and two ugly brothers.
Recommended for people who want to enjoy life for a second, and for younglings, of course.

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Mimi and the Gold Batton is a beautifully illustrated picture book about never giving up on your dreams and believing in yourself.
Mimi, the mouse, lives with her two brothers in Italy. Their mother and father were taken by a cat, leaving them alone. Mimis brothers tease her about wanting to be a mousetto (a female orchestra conductor) and then leave her alone. Poor Mimi doesn't know where to go and finds herself drawn to music coming from a cathedral. There, her luck begins to change after an encounter with the conductor of an orchestra.
As Mimis adventure unfolds, she finds her place, her people (insects and animals), and saves music for them all.
This is just so adorable. It's very nostalgic with the art used throughout the book too which I loved.

What a delightful book! Mimi’s story is one of overcoming adversity, following your dreams, and finding your people (bugs?).

Starting off quite sad, the story quickly progresses to magic and whimsy as Mimi defies expectations on her journey to becoming a maestro. The prose is age appropriate for ages 3-7 or so, and moves at an engaging pace.

The illustrations are stunning, and bumped it up to a five. They remind me a little of Beatrix potter with soft edges and shades of light and dark. The imager of the insects playing their instruments was a crowd favourite!

Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

Mimi & the Gold Baton
Cheryl Olsten
The story of a young female mouse how she overcomes her fears and finds her dreams. This is a good book with musical refences for music teachers. the pictures are beautiful and add to the story.

This is such a sweet story about a little girl mouse trying to pursue her dream of being a maestro.
So sweet with lovely illustrations.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

What a charming and delightful book! The artwork is nothing short of stunning—the intricate cross-hatching immediately brought to mind the timeless style of Beatrix Potter, filling me with the best kind of nostalgia.

The story follows plucky little Mimi, who dreams of becoming the first female mouse maestro (or “mousetro”). Her ambition is met with resistance from her chauvinistic brothers, and after losing her parents and being left on her own, Mimi must find the strength to keep pursuing her dreams. Despite these hardships, the tale never loses its hopeful tone. I especially loved the subtle touch of magic woven into the story, particularly the moment when a kind conductor transforms Mimi’s humble breadstick baton into a shining golden one. This gift becomes a symbol of her courage, empowering her to step into the spotlight and lead a delightful symphony of garden bugs. Genius!

This is the kind of book I would happily purchase to share with my children and read aloud again and again. Beyond its enchanting storytelling, it carries an empowering message: girls are just as capable of achieving greatness as boys. Heartfelt, imaginative, and inspiring—I absolutely loved it.

This book was so cute. The illustrations were adorable and my son kept trying to find his own baton at our house!

Mimi wants desperately to become the first girl mousetro, but with two brothers who don't believe in her and a mother and father long gone, she has trouble believing she can do it. When she finds herself alone and wandering, some help from a real maestro sets her on a path to an enchanted musical garden...and to discovering the courage to follow her dreams.

This is an adorably sweet story with gorgeous illustrations! Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.