Christopher Mouse: The Tale of a Small Traveler by William Wise, Patrick Benson (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

Though his life begins "in a commonplace way," Christopher Mouse is not the least bit common. Born in an ordinary wire cage, he endures various young owners who range from bad to worse before narrowly escaping death by taxidermy. His adventures continue in the Metropolitan Museum of Art as he encounters a large cat in the Egyptian room. Throughout his journeys, Christopher proves an adventurer of the most intrepid sort-and a budding poet as well. With the delightful feel of a lost (and found) classic, this is the story of an extraordinary mouse who, through strong will and good luck, finds his own small way in a very large world.

Brandi Anderson - Children's Literature

Wise's book, in the form of a mouse's diary, is full of simple explanations of Christopher's life and the glorious and often-scary adventures he encounters as he travels from owner to owner. Christopher meets several colorful characters. One such character is a parrot, Retread, who recites poetry. Christopher's adventures take him to school, to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and finally into a loving home. Benson's simple illustrations do little to add excitement or interest to the book because of the simplicity of line and lack of color, but they do give further insight into Christopher Mouse's life. The insertion of poetry into the novel adds flavor and character. This novel offers an adventure that both children and adults will enjoy. 2004, New York/Bloomsbury Children's Books, Ages 8 to 12.

School Library Journal

Gr 2-4-Christopher Mouse may be small, but he has big adventures, all of which he has carefully documented in his first-person narrative. His conversational account of his life will delight young readers. After learning about poetry from a chatty parrot in a pet store, he creates verses and odes of varying lengths whenever the mood strikes him. The story begins with his early days with his mother and siblings to the time he is sold to a pet store in Greenwich Village. He is then sold to Freddy, but his time with his caring young owner is short-lived. Treachery abounds in the devious realm of Freddy's classmate Aubrey, a greedy child determined to make money to please his overbearing father, and the Youthful Taxidermist, who is looking for a new specimen for his collection. Christopher's escape results in an encounter with the giant shadow of an Egyptian cat at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. But never fear-this charming protagonist makes it through everything safely and leaves children wondering where life will lead him next. The occasional pen-and-ink illustrations offer a perfect little glimpse into his world.-Genevieve Gallagher, Orange County Public Library, VA Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Christopher is a white mouse, born either for the pet shop or the laboratory, so when he's sold to a pet shop, and then to the ideal boy, he feels fortunate. Had he but known, however, he would not have been so smug, as his boy is soon gulled by a kid hustler, and Christopher is propelled into a series of adventures that include a harrowing escape into the Metropolitan Museum of Art (shades of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler). These travails never seem particularly urgent, however, as Christopher narrates his tale in a sort of sighing, dispassionate voice that never truly engages the reader. That his ending is a happy one comes as no great relief, as the mouse's formal, stilted voice keeps the reader at arm's length, despite the little verses the mouse composes to comfort himself. The tepidness of the tale begs comparison to more vigorous mice of yore, and rather than purchasing this offering, libraries will find themselves better served by replacement copies of A Cricket in Times Square. (Fiction. 8-12)

Product Details

• Table of Contents

Table of Contents