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The Great American Mousical
In the heart of the great metropolis of New York City, the bright lights of Broadway shine. And down, down, down, beneath a theater known as the Sovereign, there sits a long-forgotten architect's model -- the Sovereign's miniature replica. In this secret space, an adorable troupe of theater mice busily prepare to stage their own show, " Broadway Airs ." Among the cast and crew are Emil, the director; Harold, the character actor; Adelaide, the diva; and young Pippin, the intern. Rehearsals are in their usual state of chaos when suddenly the production is threatened by the imminent demolition of the theater and the devastating disappearance of Adelaide. As the clock ticks toward opening night, everyone is worried -- will the little Sovereign survive? How can they pull off the most important night in mouse theater without their star? Somehow, the show must go on! In this loving spoof of life in the theater, we join a delightful cast, follow a daring adventure, and welcome a brave new hero. This delicious tribute to the Broadway musical is written by two bestselling authors who have firsthand experience of this much-adored world.
160 pages, Hardcover
First published April 25, 2006
3 people are currently reading
253 people want to read
About the author
Julie Andrews Edwards
73 books1,366 followersDame Julie Elizabeth Andrews Edwards, DBE is an award-winning English actress, singer, author and cultural icon. She is the recipient of Golden Globe, Emmy, Grammy, BAFTA, People's Choice Award, Theatre World Award, Screen Actors Guild and Academy Award honours. Andrews rose to prominence after starring in Broadway musicals such as My Fair Lady and Camelot, as well as musical films like Mary Poppins (1964) and The Sound of Music (1965).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
May 29, 2020
Julie Andrews has a winner with this story! Easy reading and good for your young reader to add to their chapter book experience.
July 20, 2016
Genre: Juvenile fiction, animal story, fantasy
Format: Print
Plot: Humans want to demolish the building that the mouse theatre resides in, and on top of that the lead actress has been kidnapped. The mice must be able to save their home and their herione must learn to save herself.
Readers advisory:
Review citation: SLJ 2006
Source: Children's core collection
Recommended age: 6-8
Format: Print
Plot: Humans want to demolish the building that the mouse theatre resides in, and on top of that the lead actress has been kidnapped. The mice must be able to save their home and their herione must learn to save herself.
Readers advisory:
Review citation: SLJ 2006
Source: Children's core collection
Recommended age: 6-8
July 6, 2025
Thoroughly delightful
October 3, 2021
This is everything you’d expect from Julie Andrews writing about singing mice — old school charm and a nod to her pre-Poppins stage days. The mice in her story perform below the baseboards of a human theatre on Broadway. But disaster strikes when a man traps their diva and releases her on the wrong side of town. Will she ever make it back for her final performance?
March 2, 2013
In a hidden room in the Sovereign theater in New York City is a model of that very theater in miniature! The mice that live in the theater use the model to have their own shows. Although the mini Sovereign is doing well, the human sized one is old, the paint is peeling and the walls are crumbling. What makes things worse is the human sized Sovereign is going to be DEMOLISHED, meaning that the mini Sovereign will be crushed too! If that isn’t bad enough, the star of the show is missing. The little troop of mice decide the show must go on!
The story in this book is very cute. I like the idea of a mini theater hidden in the real-sized one. The mouse characters are really great. The sketchy illustrations throughout the book are very nice and add to the story. What is really nice about this book is that you get a nice story and it also teaches you about the theater. There is a glossary in the back of the book with theater terms and that helps a lot. The length and plot of the story makes it great for younger kids, but there are a lot of characters to keep straight (much like a real theater show) that may make it a bit confusing for some kids. I think it is a great book for any kid who is interested in plays or the theater.
**NOTE I received this book as a gift from a friend.
The story in this book is very cute. I like the idea of a mini theater hidden in the real-sized one. The mouse characters are really great. The sketchy illustrations throughout the book are very nice and add to the story. What is really nice about this book is that you get a nice story and it also teaches you about the theater. There is a glossary in the back of the book with theater terms and that helps a lot. The length and plot of the story makes it great for younger kids, but there are a lot of characters to keep straight (much like a real theater show) that may make it a bit confusing for some kids. I think it is a great book for any kid who is interested in plays or the theater.
**NOTE I received this book as a gift from a friend.
October 15, 2015
I really found The Great American Mousical to be charming and delightful in all the right ways. I'm not quite sure why I tend to like books starring talking mice, but I do, I really do. And if you do too, then this one is a must-read. It is set in New York, in a theatre, in an about-to-be-demolished theatre that has seen better days. The truth is, the mouse theatre hidden within the human theatre is probably in better shape. Readers meet dozens of characters, all of them involved in the theatre. After setting the scene, things really get started after the star of the show, Adelaide, is trapped in a mouse trap and is "kindly" disposed of by one of the human construction workers. (It could have been so much worse!)
Several things keep this story going: will the mice find a way to save the theatre? will they be able to go on with the show without their big star? will Adelaide, the star of the show, make it back to the theatre in time?
The book is a very satisfying, very quick read.
Several things keep this story going: will the mice find a way to save the theatre? will they be able to go on with the show without their big star? will Adelaide, the star of the show, make it back to the theatre in time?
The book is a very satisfying, very quick read.
June 22, 2008
If I were a child, I would have loved this book. It's right along the line of other great mouse adventures like The Rescuers or The Mouse and the Motorcycle. As an adult, I enjoyed the theatrical stereotypes and allusions to Broadway shows. The ethnicities and locations in New York during Adelaide's journey are also good for children. I would love to hear a CD version with Julie Andrews reading the story herself. I came across this book while doing research for a children's literature class. It would be great for an upper elementary classroom learning about musical theater.
September 8, 2007
This is a very cute book about a mouse troupe of actors on Broadway. When the star of the show gets "mouse-knapped," they determine the show will go on in her honor. The plucky mouse heroine and a new mouse friend, Henry, survive trials and tribulations, but get back safely to Broadway in the end. Highly recommended.
April 9, 2008
She did well on the Wangdoodles so I thought I would try this one.
Julie Andrews and her daughter know how to write for children. This book was very cute with a simple problem or two and happy resolutions in the end. I think it is a great way to introduce children to life behind the scenes in a theater. It gives them a great basis. I think that Alexis would even enjoy reading this one.
Julie Andrews and her daughter know how to write for children. This book was very cute with a simple problem or two and happy resolutions in the end. I think it is a great way to introduce children to life behind the scenes in a theater. It gives them a great basis. I think that Alexis would even enjoy reading this one.
April 13, 2009
It should be 3.5, I feel, but for the theater primer it gets 4 stars...
This is a darling children's book - even younger than YA. It is essentially an introduction to the backstage world of the theater. Each mouse has a role to play, and there is even a small glossary in the back that teaches kids introductory theater terminology. It is charming, and would make a great animated film.
This is a darling children's book - even younger than YA. It is essentially an introduction to the backstage world of the theater. Each mouse has a role to play, and there is even a small glossary in the back that teaches kids introductory theater terminology. It is charming, and would make a great animated film.
August 16, 2009
The greatest book i have ever read! By july Andrews who also wrote many, so you know it can't be bad! It has great pictures and characters! there are so many cliff hangers! I just loved it! I have read it 3 times and every time still excited to see what happens!
August 23, 2014
Not as good for me as I was hoping. There were too many fringe characters that didn't have time to develop and a lot of stage talk that went over my kid's heads. Cute idea but could have been better in my opinion.
November 14, 2015
Julie Andrews and her daughter signed this book for me years ago at Macy's. I told Julie: "Thanks for bringing so much beauty into the world" She paused and answered: "Isn't it a wonderful world!"
She is such a lovely and grand lady. I really enjoyed this little book, sweet, uplifting and fun.
She is such a lovely and grand lady. I really enjoyed this little book, sweet, uplifting and fun.
November 9, 2007
READ IT!!! IT'S JULIE ANDREWS!!!!!!
November 18, 2009
pretty good
December 30, 2010
i thought it was an ok book but some parts where just plain boring.
November 14, 2015
A cute children's book about a mouse theater. I was not the right age to read Andrews' books as a kid, so I'm catching up now.
December 8, 2012
A touching tale. I particularly liked the character of the snobbish but insecure Adelaide. Please read it!
January 23, 2013
for children who like to read about animal type adventures, this is a cute book
April 28, 2015
Such a cute book! I'm 15 and I loved it!
January 27, 2017
This was a delightful adventure for those who know and love Manhattan and Broadway theater.
November 10, 2025
Too textually dense for younger readers, too young a subject matter for older readers.
Overall: 3
Plot: 4
Illustrations: 4
The girls didn't even want to finish this one unfortunately.
I did and while I enjoyed the general story, I think there's a disconnect between the intended target audience and the actual reading level.
The reading level is at least a 3rd grade or higher (density of words on the page, ratio of words to illustrations, font size, etc., the technical part of the story). However, the story line seems to juvenile for the reader who *could* read the story solo to themselves. Similarly, as a parent, I could read the story fine, but this didn't hold C*'s attention and A^, who was perfectly capable of reading the story declared "it's for little kids. I'm a big kid and need bigger stories"
I really wanted to support and love this story as a lifelong Julie Andrews fan, but somehow this one fell short.
Perhaps bringing the actual reading level down would improve it? Perhaps a more even illustration to word ratio? I can't put my finger on it exactly.
Regardless, I do hope this book clicks better with other families. In the meantime, the kids and I will still be singing "Our Favorite Things" at the top of our lungs.
A genuinely heartfelt thank you to the incredible Julie Andrews, her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton, ABRAMS Kids, & Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this tale.
All opinions are our own.
NOTES:
° = Our Plot/Lesson rating is how well the kiddos picked up on the morals/lessons learned or well received the facts were.
^ = A, reads at 2-3rd grade level, voracious reader
* = C, knows her letters, but memorizes stories well!
Overall: 3
Plot: 4
Illustrations: 4
The girls didn't even want to finish this one unfortunately.
I did and while I enjoyed the general story, I think there's a disconnect between the intended target audience and the actual reading level.
The reading level is at least a 3rd grade or higher (density of words on the page, ratio of words to illustrations, font size, etc., the technical part of the story). However, the story line seems to juvenile for the reader who *could* read the story solo to themselves. Similarly, as a parent, I could read the story fine, but this didn't hold C*'s attention and A^, who was perfectly capable of reading the story declared "it's for little kids. I'm a big kid and need bigger stories"
I really wanted to support and love this story as a lifelong Julie Andrews fan, but somehow this one fell short.
Perhaps bringing the actual reading level down would improve it? Perhaps a more even illustration to word ratio? I can't put my finger on it exactly.
Regardless, I do hope this book clicks better with other families. In the meantime, the kids and I will still be singing "Our Favorite Things" at the top of our lungs.
A genuinely heartfelt thank you to the incredible Julie Andrews, her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton, ABRAMS Kids, & Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this tale.
All opinions are our own.
NOTES:
° = Our Plot/Lesson rating is how well the kiddos picked up on the morals/lessons learned or well received the facts were.
^ = A, reads at 2-3rd grade level, voracious reader
* = C, knows her letters, but memorizes stories well!
September 21, 2025
I honestly don’t know what else to say but that I wish I had liked this. Truth be told, the main reason I picked up the books was because of Julie Andrews and, in all fairness, it can be rather hit or miss to pick up celebrity novels. I suppose I don’t know exactly what I was expecting, but I can say that I was incredibly bored through the vast majority of it.
The Great American Mousical has the feel of the An American Tail films, though it’s primarily set within the walls of an old theater—though there is a bit of an adventure to be had with the lead broadway singer mouse that takes us outside. In general, as far as characters go, there are so many of them that it’s difficult to feel you really learned anything further than the caricature presentation of who they are. Outside of Adelaide, you never really feel like there’s a lot of depth to your knowledge of these mice.
Thus with the characters and the plot being relatively simple and without a lot of the emotion that leads you to grow invested in everything that’s going on, I’m left thinking that this will be a very niche sort of book. I don’t know that I would have loved it as a kid, but I probably would have enjoyed it a bit.
One of the standouts about this book lies in the beautiful illustrations filling the pages. I’d even go as far as to say that’s probably the piece I appreciated the most. And perhaps this is a hint that maybe I’d like the book more as an animated film. Either way, with the higher level vocabulary, this is the sort of book I’d recommend to more advanced young readers.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Great American Mousical has the feel of the An American Tail films, though it’s primarily set within the walls of an old theater—though there is a bit of an adventure to be had with the lead broadway singer mouse that takes us outside. In general, as far as characters go, there are so many of them that it’s difficult to feel you really learned anything further than the caricature presentation of who they are. Outside of Adelaide, you never really feel like there’s a lot of depth to your knowledge of these mice.
Thus with the characters and the plot being relatively simple and without a lot of the emotion that leads you to grow invested in everything that’s going on, I’m left thinking that this will be a very niche sort of book. I don’t know that I would have loved it as a kid, but I probably would have enjoyed it a bit.
One of the standouts about this book lies in the beautiful illustrations filling the pages. I’d even go as far as to say that’s probably the piece I appreciated the most. And perhaps this is a hint that maybe I’d like the book more as an animated film. Either way, with the higher level vocabulary, this is the sort of book I’d recommend to more advanced young readers.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 27, 2025
First I would like to give a huge thank you to @NetGalley and@AbramsKids a huge thank you for this wonderful e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion.
As a lover of Broadway and a theater kid this story had absolutely everything from the theater terms to the definitions of some important theater vocabulary to each chapter designated to Broadway and theater terms and and an absolutely wonderful storyline. I loved everything about this story. From the MFC Adelaide to Henry and all of the supporting characters such as Pippin, Harold, Wendy, etc.
Adelaide is a bit of a diva but the thing that made this story so interesting is she was locked in a mouse trap and taken far away from the theater and she found help with Henry and his friends who taught her that she isn’t just an actress she is more than that. Along her journey had changed her ways. While she is going through her journey the other actors are making the necessary changes because this would be their last show before the building was demolished, but what they didn’t know was all it would take was Pippin and a human boy to help keep the theater alive.
I absolutely love this story and believe it is perfect for any child. I cannot wait to purchase it for my classroom.
#TheGreatAmericanMousicalABroadwayTale #NetGalley
As a lover of Broadway and a theater kid this story had absolutely everything from the theater terms to the definitions of some important theater vocabulary to each chapter designated to Broadway and theater terms and and an absolutely wonderful storyline. I loved everything about this story. From the MFC Adelaide to Henry and all of the supporting characters such as Pippin, Harold, Wendy, etc.
Adelaide is a bit of a diva but the thing that made this story so interesting is she was locked in a mouse trap and taken far away from the theater and she found help with Henry and his friends who taught her that she isn’t just an actress she is more than that. Along her journey had changed her ways. While she is going through her journey the other actors are making the necessary changes because this would be their last show before the building was demolished, but what they didn’t know was all it would take was Pippin and a human boy to help keep the theater alive.
I absolutely love this story and believe it is perfect for any child. I cannot wait to purchase it for my classroom.
#TheGreatAmericanMousicalABroadwayTale #NetGalley
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2021
Cute little book, but the plethora of characters can be hard to keep straight (thankfully there is a ‘cast of characters’ but in the front), and some of the mice behave a little too much like adult humans for being in a children’s book. But it was cute, and a good introduction to how a Broadway show is produced.
August 18, 2023
So sweet - and a bonus star because it’s written by the lovely Julie Andrews!
- - - - -
"Nervous?" he said.
She nodded.
"Don't be. They're gonna love you," he said encouragingly, then added shyly, “as do I."
- - - - -
"Nervous?" he said.
She nodded.
"Don't be. They're gonna love you," he said encouragingly, then added shyly, “as do I."
July 12, 2024
It's a nice little book. Julie Andrews's first attempt at writing a children's book. A rather large group of characters. It might have been difficult for a young reader to keep them straight, but the story flowed well anyway.
August 17, 2022
I may be bias because this is my mom and grandmas book, and I play Pippin in the show, but I love this story so much. I’ve grown up with it! Rereading it was such a pleasure
January 20, 2024
A good story and educational.
January 8, 2010
Cute book. Very simple storyline. It definitely fits within the age 5 - 9 yr olds it is for.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews