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Mice of the Herring Bone #1
Mice of the Herring Bone
One minute, Charles and Oliver are peacefully nibbling lunch inside a barrel, and the next they've been loaded onto a ship of pirate sea dogs. Worse still, they overhear the pirates making plans to steal the Queen's gold. Charles is determined to help rescue the treasure. But what can the bravest of mice do? Especially when the Queen's sailors are all cats? For age 4-10
106 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1992
About the author
Tim Davis
26 books7 followersTim Davis has worked as a professional illustrator and published author for thirty years. The most prolific Hidden Pictures illustrator in the magazine's history (over 500!), Tim has taught several workshops for Highlights to train others in the art of Hidden Picture creation.
He is the author and illustrator of seven children's books: The Mice of the Herringbone series and the Tales of Dust River Gulch series.
Tim regularly teaches writing and illustration to groups of all ages.
He is the author and illustrator of seven children's books: The Mice of the Herringbone series and the Tales of Dust River Gulch series.
Tim regularly teaches writing and illustration to groups of all ages.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 8, 2022
3 stars & 3/10 hearts. This was a cute little story about brave stowaway mice, posh British Navy cats, and wicked pirate dogs, tastefully done for ages 8-12 and a good level 2 or 3 reader. Although I’m way out of the targeted audience, I enjoyed the book and look forwards to the next in the series.
January 14, 2018
Don't you people just love these mice books? Yes, me too!! It's so hard not too! They're enjoyable, funny, and adventurous!
The characters - or rather, animals:
Charlie - a great companion to Oliver and a lot more serious! Still fun though!
Oliver - he eats too much! ;)
The cats - gotta love them!
The sea dogs - hahaha!! They're crazy!
I just love these books! They are quick reads and any kid would like them!! My siblings do too! ;)
Onto Mice of the Nine Lives Grd 1-2!!!!! :D
The characters - or rather, animals:
Charlie - a great companion to Oliver and a lot more serious! Still fun though!
Oliver - he eats too much! ;)
The cats - gotta love them!
The sea dogs - hahaha!! They're crazy!
I just love these books! They are quick reads and any kid would like them!! My siblings do too! ;)
Onto Mice of the Nine Lives Grd 1-2!!!!! :D
December 18, 2025
Maddie reports "We'll have to read it again! It was so fun!" despite the fact that she was also trying to plug her ears at every moment of mild peril. Pure nostalgia for me.
July 16, 2016
An exciting read filled with pirates, cats and mean dogs. Great for the adventurous kid.
December 12, 2025
I really liked the mice, Charles and Oliver, because they wanted the treasure for the queen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2026
Swashbuckling Fun for Young Readers — Almost a Standout
Mice of the Herring Bone is a charming, sea‑salt‑sprinkled adventure that delivers exactly what young readers love: danger, daftness and a dash of pirate chaos. Tim Davis sends Charles and Oliver — two unassuming mice — straight into a world of swashbuckling sea dogs, treasure hunts and feline foes, and the result is a lively, good‑natured romp that feels wonderfully old‑school.
The illustrations, drawn by Davis himself, add real warmth. They give the story that cosy, slightly nostalgic feel you’d expect from a classic children’s tale, and they help younger readers stay anchored during the more action‑heavy moments. The pacing is brisk, the chapters are short enough for bedtime reading, and the humour lands without ever talking down to its audience.
Where the book could be better is mostly in the finer details. The two lead mice are likeable, but they don’t quite have the distinctive quirks or emotional depth that would make them truly memorable. A touch more character development — something to make each mouse unmistakably himself — would lift the story from fun to unforgettable. The plot, while enjoyable, leans on familiar tropes, and a few more unexpected twists or richer worldbuilding would give the adventure a stronger sense of uniqueness. The climax, too, resolves a little quickly; a bit more tension or complexity would help older readers feel the stakes more keenly.
It’s a delightful children’s adventure with plenty of charm and heart. It earns its four stars through its atmosphere, illustrations and lively pacing, and with a bit more character depth and bolder storytelling, it could easily rise to something truly exceptional.
♥️✨️🏴☠️
Mice of the Herring Bone is a charming, sea‑salt‑sprinkled adventure that delivers exactly what young readers love: danger, daftness and a dash of pirate chaos. Tim Davis sends Charles and Oliver — two unassuming mice — straight into a world of swashbuckling sea dogs, treasure hunts and feline foes, and the result is a lively, good‑natured romp that feels wonderfully old‑school.
The illustrations, drawn by Davis himself, add real warmth. They give the story that cosy, slightly nostalgic feel you’d expect from a classic children’s tale, and they help younger readers stay anchored during the more action‑heavy moments. The pacing is brisk, the chapters are short enough for bedtime reading, and the humour lands without ever talking down to its audience.
Where the book could be better is mostly in the finer details. The two lead mice are likeable, but they don’t quite have the distinctive quirks or emotional depth that would make them truly memorable. A touch more character development — something to make each mouse unmistakably himself — would lift the story from fun to unforgettable. The plot, while enjoyable, leans on familiar tropes, and a few more unexpected twists or richer worldbuilding would give the adventure a stronger sense of uniqueness. The climax, too, resolves a little quickly; a bit more tension or complexity would help older readers feel the stakes more keenly.
It’s a delightful children’s adventure with plenty of charm and heart. It earns its four stars through its atmosphere, illustrations and lively pacing, and with a bit more character depth and bolder storytelling, it could easily rise to something truly exceptional.
♥️✨️🏴☠️
December 16, 2023
Don't know when and where the "mouse duo" started -- Basil and Dawson from The Great Mouse Detective, Nick and Fetcher from Chicken Run, Pinky and the Brain -- but Charles and Oliver are another effective addition to the club. I've been going through books whose titles I remembered (in this series, Mice of the Nine Lives especially) but stories not so much. Even though this is meant for younger readers, I still got a kick out of it!
Two mice accidentally stowaway aboard the Herring Bone, a boat of pirate sea dogs, who plan on stealing the Queen's treasure from the cat boat the Nine Lives. Quick-thinking Charles and his funny friend Oliver are enlisted as unlikely allies to help the cats find the treasure and slip past the Herring Bone.
I probably thought of these as "school books," because I don't remember reading them by myself. But I think I remember liking them. Boys particularly might enjoy all the thrilling action (including sound effects!) and adventure.
Chapters end with good cliffhangers. Not sure if it was the font (type or size) or how the text was broken into short paragraphs, but it felt like I would scan the page before I read it. Eye-catching full-page cartoon-like illustrations every so often really help to bring the story to life.
Fun, exciting, and clever start to the series! Interested in trying the others out soon.
Two mice accidentally stowaway aboard the Herring Bone, a boat of pirate sea dogs, who plan on stealing the Queen's treasure from the cat boat the Nine Lives. Quick-thinking Charles and his funny friend Oliver are enlisted as unlikely allies to help the cats find the treasure and slip past the Herring Bone.
I probably thought of these as "school books," because I don't remember reading them by myself. But I think I remember liking them. Boys particularly might enjoy all the thrilling action (including sound effects!) and adventure.
Chapters end with good cliffhangers. Not sure if it was the font (type or size) or how the text was broken into short paragraphs, but it felt like I would scan the page before I read it. Eye-catching full-page cartoon-like illustrations every so often really help to bring the story to life.
Fun, exciting, and clever start to the series! Interested in trying the others out soon.
December 31, 2025
I read this to my youngest. It was one of my personal favourites as a kid, and his older brother liked it. My youngest not as much. It's his first chapter book that doesn't have very many illustrations, and he isn't overly familiar with pirate and shipping terms. Plus, my youngest is a dog person, and the dogs are the bad guys. I love cats, and cats were the good guys. So, that might also have something to do with it. :)
The story is about two mice who find themselves accidently on a pirate ship, and yes, cats are the good guys, even though they normally eat mice. Go figure that out. Anyway, it is a really fun read if your kid loves pirates and cats.
The story is about two mice who find themselves accidently on a pirate ship, and yes, cats are the good guys, even though they normally eat mice. Go figure that out. Anyway, it is a really fun read if your kid loves pirates and cats.
September 24, 2023
A very quick enjoyable read. This subject matter isn’t my favorite, so I remember reading it as a child, but never requesting it for my shelf. Could see going further in the series if my daughter or son enjoy it.
May 28, 2020
Maybe not so great as a read aloud, but this is a fun adventure story with simple text and interesting twists.
December 15, 2021
Great for young children reading fluently. A sweet story about mice.
February 14, 2022
A cute, quick, family-friendly read. We blazed through this one, partly because it isn't that long and partly because my listeners kept asking for another chapter!
March 14, 2023
Very cute and well written. Earlier style reader but packed with action and adventure. Loved the illustrations that added so much.
June 19, 2024
My nephew and I enjoyed reading this together!
December 22, 2024
This book has adventure. It was funny and I like how the cats tricked the pirates. If you read the other books, they're really good too (LPH, age 7).
December 15, 2025
This easy-to-read chapter book is the first in a series about Charles and Oliver, 2 stowaway mice, who do all they can to help save the Queen's gold from the pirate sea dogs.
January 1, 2026
These were the books that kick-started my love for reading. Now, over twenty years later, my kids love them just as much as I did. They're great read-a-loud books.
November 28, 2020
11/2020:
Another delightful read of this book. It’s crazy that it has aged this well, but the writing is excellent for this age group and the peril and humor are so well done. Love getting to share these with my younger kids for the first time.
11/15:
Read aloud to Will (Emma read to herself). He absolutely loved this book, begged to keep reading at the end of each chapter, and laughed out loud many times.
2/13:
I remember reading these books with my sisters growing up. Emma really liked the mice in this story (so many kids books star mice it seems!) and the action was intense and exciting without being scary or too much for a four year old. Excellent. We'll be reading the next book soon!
Another delightful read of this book. It’s crazy that it has aged this well, but the writing is excellent for this age group and the peril and humor are so well done. Love getting to share these with my younger kids for the first time.
11/15:
Read aloud to Will (Emma read to herself). He absolutely loved this book, begged to keep reading at the end of each chapter, and laughed out loud many times.
2/13:
I remember reading these books with my sisters growing up. Emma really liked the mice in this story (so many kids books star mice it seems!) and the action was intense and exciting without being scary or too much for a four year old. Excellent. We'll be reading the next book soon!
Read
May 11, 2012A great first reader with the adventure of pirates. We'll use it for our summer program.:)
July 10, 2013
One day read, start to finish without pausing!
March 12, 2016
B. children's book, fantasy, animal stories, grade 1
February 20, 2016
Just as good as I remember!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews