
Written & illustrated by John Burningham
A boy's discovery of a secret mouse family leads to unexpected friendship and mystery.
Every night, a hidden mouse family shares a home with a boy and his sister. When the boy spots a mouse, their father calls a catcher, prompting the children to warn their tiny friends. As winter sets in, the mice vanish, leaving the children to wonder about their fate. What happened to their secret companions, and will they return? Discover a tale of unexpected friendship and the magic of small gestures.
From picture-book genius John Burningham comes a whimsical new story about home, hope, and the convivial wisdom of children. Every night, a family – a mom, dad, boy, and girl – have supper and go to bed. But they’re not alone. Every night, after that family is asleep, a secret mouse family emerges to find food for their supper, and the mouse children start to play. Then one night it happens: the boy spots a mouse, and his father calls the mouse catcher. Concerned, the children write a note to the mice (“your lives are in danger”), and the mouse family flees to the backyard, where the boy and girl leave tiny swings and a trampoline they’ve made for the mice to play on. But as winter approaches and the children no longer see the mice frolicking outside in the evenings, they start to wonder. Where could the mice have gone?
Surprise a reader with their next favorite book.
Spotted a mistake or something missing? Improve this page.
Are you the author or illustrator? Claim your book.