About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is starting to notice the tiny details in the world around them or when they need a gentle, imaginative break from a busy day. Brian Patten's collection of poems invites children to look under floorboards and behind skirting boards to discover the whimsical, secret lives of mice who live just out of sight. It is a perfect choice for encouraging a sense of wonder and showing how poetry can be both funny and accessible. These poems celebrate creativity and curiosity, making them ideal for the 5 to 7 age range. The language is playful and rhythmic, helping to build vocabulary through rhyme and clever imagery. Parents will appreciate how the book turns an ordinary house into a magical playground, fostering a child's internal world of imagination while providing pure, lighthearted entertainment.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book is entirely secular and gentle. There are no depictions of predators or the typical 'cat and mouse' peril found in other literature. It focuses on the whimsy of their existence rather than the dangers.
Ideal Reader
A first or second grader who has a vivid imagination and perhaps an 'imaginary friend' or a tendency to create elaborate backstories for their toys. It is perfect for a child who finds traditional prose intimidating but responds well to the rhythm of verse.
