For children who are anxious about new situations or people, this lively story reminds us that things aren't always what they seem, encouraging bravery and open-mindedness.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is feeling anxious about a new person or situation, such as starting school or meeting a new neighbor. It gently addresses the common childhood fear of the unknown and the tendency to assume the worst. The story follows a community of mice who fly into a panic when they learn a cat is approaching. Their fear spreads and builds until the cat finally arrives, revealing a wonderful, kind surprise. Through simple, repetitive text and expressive illustrations, the book models how collaboration can spring from fear, but more importantly, how our biggest worries are sometimes just misunderstandings. It's a perfect story for encouraging open-mindedness and bravery in children ages 3 to 7.
A character's hot-air balloon is struck by lightning and he falls into the ocean, but is quickly saved.
Scary ContentMild
Mice panic and flee from a large, ominous shadow. The scene is tense but not graphic or truly frightening.
Sensitive Topics
The primary theme is fear and anxiety about a perceived threat. This is handled metaphorically through the classic cat-and-mouse relationship. The potential danger is never realized. The resolution is entirely hopeful and subverts expectations, turning a moment of terror into a joyful celebration. There are no other sensitive topics like death, divorce, or identity.
Ideal Reader
The ideal reader is a 4 to 6-year-old who is prone to anxiety about new things. This could be a child nervous about starting preschool, hesitant to join a playgroup, or who makes quick judgments about other children they don't know. It's for the child who needs a gentle model for challenging their own assumptions.
Parent Prep
Parents should be aware that the book's tension builds visually. The scenes of the balloon being struck by lightning and the growing, frantic crowd might be slightly intense for a very sensitive child, though the illustration style keeps it from being truly scary. Parents can preview these pages. The nearly wordless format invites parents to narrate the action and the mice's feelings, which can help modulate the emotional tone for their child. A parent has just seen their child hide behind their legs when a friendly new person says hello, or heard their child say, "He looks mean!" about a new classmate. The trigger is observing the child's fear of the unknown lead to immediate, negative conclusions about a person or situation.
Age Experience
A 3-year-old will enjoy the repetitive refrain, the chase element, and the fun visual details. They will grasp the simple, satisfying message: "It wasn't scary after all!" An older child, around 6 or 7, can understand the more complex themes of prejudice, rumor, and mob mentality. They can appreciate the humor of the over-the-top reaction and discuss the importance of not judging others based on reputation.
What Makes It Special
What makes this book unique is its almost wordless structure, relying on a single repeated phrase and rich, detailed illustrations to drive the narrative. This makes it highly accessible to pre-readers and excellent for developing visual literacy. The story's pacing, which builds from a single mouse to a massive crowd, gives it a cinematic feel that is distinct among picture books about misunderstanding.
Read plot summary
A mouse lookout in a hot-air balloon sees the shadow of an approaching cat and sounds the alarm. The message, "Here comes the cat!", spreads like wildfire through the mouse community, from the beach to the city, causing a mass panic. The original mouse messenger even survives a lightning strike and a fall into the ocean to continue his warning. A huge crowd of terrified mice finally gathers to face the cat, only to discover the cat has brought them a giant wheel of cheese to share.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
