There’s something about storybook mice that are irresistible. On my seventh birthday, my parents gave me a little cassette tape player all my own and a book and an audio collection called Christopher Church Mouse. I fell in love with the little mice and their stories and listened to them over and over until my cassettes wore out. My love of whimsical stories of little animals that began with Beatrix Potter was fed by that series and I never got tired of stories that included little creatures as their heroes and heroines.
It turns out that I never really did outgrow my love for books about little mice and after I became a mother, I had all the more reason to fill my home with delightful illustrations and stories about all kinds of animals–including my childhood favorites.
And the reward has been the sweetest–watching my own two pour over the stories and fall in love with the mice, past and present, that colored world and ignited my imagination with tales of kindness, bravery, love, and whimsy.
This post contains affiliate links. Your clicks and purchases help support my blog and family at no extra charge to you. Thank you. <3
Adorable Mouse Tale Stories My CHildren Love
Mice aren’t the only little creatures that I adore in the pages of a good children’s book. I have literary friends who are hedgehogs, frogs, grasshoppers and owls among others. But today I want to share some of my favorite Mousey friends and some of the stories that my children love to hear over and over again.
ANONYMOUSE BY CAROLINE ROSE KRAFT
Parsnip Peppersnatch worked his way into my heart a long time ago. Ever since my friend Caroline mentioned she was working on a book about letter writing (one of my favorite introverted joys!) and a mouse. His story exceeded my hopes and his journey to make his little corner of the world…er, post office, a better, happier place–even when it was scary– warmed my heart and delighted me at every page turn. Also, can we take a second to talk about how gorgeous these illustrations are? This is a real gem of a book that deserves a spot on every children’s literature lover’s shelf!
MOUSIE LOVE BY DORI CHACONAS
Tully is pretty happy being a lone mouse. But the moment he lays his eyes on Frill, everything changes. Forgetting every sensible thing he planned to say, he squeaks out “Will you marry me?” instead. But Frill never seems to quite get a chance to actually answer Tully, because he keeps thinking of things that he needs to do to make sure she is comfortable, taken care of and will want to be with him. The sweet little ending made me grin. It’s just adorable!
Gingerbread Mouse by Katie Bratun
It’s Christmas Eve and Mouse is just settling down in her cozy bed when CRASH. A branch destroys her home. She sets out on a long, cold journey that eventually leads her to a new, warm and welcoming home–and a big surprise for Christmas! This one includes Santa granting a wish. Super adorable illustrations and sweet little story.
WILL YOU BE MY SUNSHINE? BY JULIA LOBO
It doesn’t get any sweeter than this little mousy board book that speaks the sentiment of each parent’s heart as they look at their little. Unconditional love on every page with the sweetest illustrations of little mice will make it your tiny’s new favorite.
THE LITTLE MOUSE, THE RED RIPE STRAWBERRY AND THE BIG HUNGRY BEAR BY AUDREY WOOD
This little mouse has its eye on the most beautiful red ripe strawberry ever–but so does the big hungry bear! The little mouse does everything in its power to keep that strawberry safe, and it’s even willing to share it with YOU, just so long as it gets a bite! Classic book from my childhood in the 80s that is fun to read to my kids today.
THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX BY KATE DICAMILLO
Despereax Tilling loves music, stories and most of all the Princess Pea. Rosceuro the Rat lives in shadows and darkness but longs for light. Miggery Sow has a small, but impossible wish. Their individual journeys lead them in unexpected ways into each other’s lives. And to their destiny.
STUART LITTLE E.B WHITE
We all know that Stuart Little is not an ordinary mouse. He may be shy and a quiet sort. But he is also brave, loyal and goes out to save his friend who has been lost. This is another classic that really needs to have a place on your bookshelf–or in your audible library.
MOUSE’S CHRISTMAS GIFT BY MINDY BAKER
A tiny churchmouse is facing the impossible task of bringing the holiday spirit to his little town all on his own. In this story that reminded me a little of Beatrix Potter’s Tailor of Glouchester. you will hear one very important thing: you don’t have to be big and important to make a big, important difference.
A WEEKEND WITH WENDELL BY KEVIN HENKES
Spending the weekend with Wendell is Sophie’s worst nightmare. Nothing goes right, and everything is pretty much, well, miserable. Until Wendell and Sophie learn to play…together. This book made my kids giggle like crazy.
IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE… BY LAURA NUMEROFF
Of all the modern mice, Mouse is one of the best. Curious, caring, heartwarming and yes, dramatic, he works his way into your heart as he explores his world with his best friends. Adventures and mishaps–it’s all part of learning and finding out that if you give a mouse, well, anything…what do you think will happen next?
THE ADVENTURES OF SOPHIE MOUSE BY POPPY GREEN
On a quest for sweet early readers, I stumbled into the world of Sophie Mouse. So many of the common chapter book series I’ve seen have included things I wasn’t super thrilled about–attitudes or behavior that I’d rather not feed as funny to my kiddos who come up with plenty of that on their own. Sophie Mouse wants to be a good friend–to everyone. She has a lot of adventures and learns a lot of important lessons. And it doesn’t make me sad at all that every book has the most delightful illustrations to go with it.
TUMTUM AND NUTMEG BY EMILY BEARN
I met TumTum and Nutmeg in an Audible collection as they attempted to visit the seashore. Reminding me in some way of the classic Wind in the Willows adaptations from the 80s, we have enjoyed following TumTum and Nutmeg around as they bumble along together through various adventures and mishaps that are all part of a literary mouse’s life.
THE ADVENTURES OF GERALDINE WOODKINS BY KARIN KOFFMAN
Geraldine wants to be strong and brave. But God made her a mouse. Mice are small, and weak and skittish…right? Geraldine learns about what it really means to be brave in these ten stories about her and her family in their forest home.
Have more favorite mouse tales? I’d love to hear about them!
I’m all ears when it comes to more adorable Children’s books. Mouse or no, if you have a favorite about a forest friend, I’d love to hear more about it. Drop me a comment. :)
