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Town Mouse, Country Mouse
A story filled with suspense and humor, this classic tale of a town mouse and a country mouse takes a new twist in the imaginative and talented hands of Jan Brett. She introduces two engaging mouse couples eager to get away from their everyday lives. But when they agree to swap homes, they find unexpected adventures around every corner. Lush green scenes alternate with the elegant details of a fine Victorian townhouse to make a sumptuous and stunning picture book.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
14 people are currently reading
1151 people want to read
About the author
Jan Brett
113 books1,028 followersWith over thirty three million books in print, Jan Brett is one of the nation's foremost author illustrators of children's books. Jan lives in a seacoast town in Massachusetts, close to where she grew up. During the summer her family moves to a home in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts.
As a child, Jan Brett decided to be an illustrator and spent many hours reading and drawing. She says, "I remember the special quiet of rainy days when I felt that I could enter the pages of my beautiful picture books. Now I try to recreate that feeling of believing that the imaginary place I'm drawing really exists. The detail in my work helps to convince me, and I hope others as well, that such places might be real."
As a student at the Boston Museum School, she spent hours in the Museum of Fine Arts. "It was overwhelming to see the room-size landscapes and towering stone sculptures, and then moments later to refocus on delicately embroidered kimonos and ancient porcelain," she says. "I'm delighted and surprised when fragments of these beautiful images come back to me in my painting."
Travel is also a constant inspiration. Together with her husband, Joe Hearne, who is a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Jan visits many different countries where she researches the architecture and costumes that appear in her work. "From cave paintings to Norwegian sleighs, to Japanese gardens, I study the traditions of the many countries I visit and use them as a starting point for my children's books."
--from www.janbrett.com
As a child, Jan Brett decided to be an illustrator and spent many hours reading and drawing. She says, "I remember the special quiet of rainy days when I felt that I could enter the pages of my beautiful picture books. Now I try to recreate that feeling of believing that the imaginary place I'm drawing really exists. The detail in my work helps to convince me, and I hope others as well, that such places might be real."
As a student at the Boston Museum School, she spent hours in the Museum of Fine Arts. "It was overwhelming to see the room-size landscapes and towering stone sculptures, and then moments later to refocus on delicately embroidered kimonos and ancient porcelain," she says. "I'm delighted and surprised when fragments of these beautiful images come back to me in my painting."
Travel is also a constant inspiration. Together with her husband, Joe Hearne, who is a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Jan visits many different countries where she researches the architecture and costumes that appear in her work. "From cave paintings to Norwegian sleighs, to Japanese gardens, I study the traditions of the many countries I visit and use them as a starting point for my children's books."
--from www.janbrett.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 235 reviews
December 14, 2019
Even though it does seem that Jan Brett's retelling of the Aesop fable of the Town Mouse and the Country Mouse (which is also considered type 112 in the Aarne-Thompson's folk tale index) has generally high average star rankings on Goodreads, and while I am usually very much a fan of Brett's folklore adaptations, personally as well as on a folkloric level, I have to admit that I have not found Town Mouse, Country Mouse either all that engaging or even all that pleasant a reading experience.
For one, although I do appreciate how imaginative Jan Brett's narrative is, considering that Town Mouse, Country Mouse is supposed to be a picture book, sorry, but to and for me, Brett's presented text is simply much too wordy and involved for the intended age group, for the so-called picture book crowd. And yes, I actually and personally also do tend find the presented storyline of Town Mouse, Country Mouse rather tediously and draggingly penned at times and so much so that by the end of Town Mouse, Country Mouse I was indeed simply glad that I was finished reading (with the wordiness and textual density of Jan Brett's narrative also in my opinion rather diluting and lessening the important messages of being happy with one's home, and that the proverbial grass is not always greener on the other side). And for two (and for me this is actually a much more problematic issue), considering that the Town Mouse and the Country Mouse story is originally an Aesop fable (as already pointed out above), I really fail to understand why Jan Brett has not included an author's note showing this and the changes she has made in her own retelling and the reasons why (and considering that for many of her folktale adaptations, Jan Brett does indeed include detailed and informative author's notes, I for one am and remain quite massively disappointed that this has not been the case for her Town Mouse, Country Mouse).
And thus, only two stars for Town Mouse, Country Mouse, as aside from my textual and folkloric issues with Jan Brett's printed words, I also have not really found the accompanying illustrations all that visually appealing (for while how Jan Brett has depicted the various animals that inhabit the pages of Town Mouse, Country Mouse is of course and like usual adept and successfully rendered, personally, I absolutely and totally would much rather be seeing animals drawn and depicted as being animals and not clad in human costumes and garb, which I usually do find rather creepy if not even somewhat animal unfriendly).
For one, although I do appreciate how imaginative Jan Brett's narrative is, considering that Town Mouse, Country Mouse is supposed to be a picture book, sorry, but to and for me, Brett's presented text is simply much too wordy and involved for the intended age group, for the so-called picture book crowd. And yes, I actually and personally also do tend find the presented storyline of Town Mouse, Country Mouse rather tediously and draggingly penned at times and so much so that by the end of Town Mouse, Country Mouse I was indeed simply glad that I was finished reading (with the wordiness and textual density of Jan Brett's narrative also in my opinion rather diluting and lessening the important messages of being happy with one's home, and that the proverbial grass is not always greener on the other side). And for two (and for me this is actually a much more problematic issue), considering that the Town Mouse and the Country Mouse story is originally an Aesop fable (as already pointed out above), I really fail to understand why Jan Brett has not included an author's note showing this and the changes she has made in her own retelling and the reasons why (and considering that for many of her folktale adaptations, Jan Brett does indeed include detailed and informative author's notes, I for one am and remain quite massively disappointed that this has not been the case for her Town Mouse, Country Mouse).
And thus, only two stars for Town Mouse, Country Mouse, as aside from my textual and folkloric issues with Jan Brett's printed words, I also have not really found the accompanying illustrations all that visually appealing (for while how Jan Brett has depicted the various animals that inhabit the pages of Town Mouse, Country Mouse is of course and like usual adept and successfully rendered, personally, I absolutely and totally would much rather be seeing animals drawn and depicted as being animals and not clad in human costumes and garb, which I usually do find rather creepy if not even somewhat animal unfriendly).
December 1, 2019
This shows off Brett's talent and dedication to her illustrations very well. It's a bit wordy, but some readers might like that because the dilemma that the mice work through is brought to full clarity. I like that the mouse-wives are included. And I really like .
The wordiness also means that the reader-listener is encouraged to spend more time on each page appreciating the details in the artwork.
I'm not a huge fan of Brett, and I find that a little goes a long way for me. Don't take a three-star rating as a negative.
The wordiness also means that the reader-listener is encouraged to spend more time on each page appreciating the details in the artwork.
I'm not a huge fan of Brett, and I find that a little goes a long way for me. Don't take a three-star rating as a negative.
June 20, 2022
I love Jan Brett's books. They are always the perfect pick-me-up, and the illustrations are some of the best. This story was especially endearing, seeing as I have a soft spot for mice, but also because it has a great moral. "The grass is always greener on the other side." It's so important to appreciate what you already have.
I can't wait to read this to my future children!
I can't wait to read this to my future children!
December 16, 2019
A good Town Mouse Country Mouse retelling. Jan Brett's illustrations are lovely, but perhaps a little overly ornate - it was hard for me to pick out details sometimes.
May 27, 2018
My nephew chose this book to read. They enjoyed the book and liked seeing the owl and the cat be confused by the town mice and the country mice. They thought that was funny. I thought it was a great little story about being happy where you are. I don't think they got what they story was trying to say,( three and six) and they still enjoyed the book. The artwork was beautiful.
November 16, 2019
I raised my eleven children on this book. We all love it!
August 15, 2025
I love this!!!
I remember reading this when I was a kid in my library:) Then I made my sister read this:)
SOOOOOO NOSTALGICCCCCCCCC!
I remember reading this when I was a kid in my library:) Then I made my sister read this:)
SOOOOOO NOSTALGICCCCCCCCC!
May 4, 2019
Based upon the classic fable from Aesop, Jan Brett's Town Mouse, Country Mouse fleshes out the story, adding husbands for the mice, and dangerous predators, in the shape of a cat and owl. When the town mice switch homes with the country mice, both couples think that they will have a wonderful time, but discover instead that the "other" half also experiences its share of discomfort, and that, in the end, home is best. Will the owl and the cat feel the same...?
I found this picture-book adaptation charming, and enjoyed Brett's distinctive artwork, with its colorful palette and attention to detail. The side-panels, which feature the owl and cat, respectively, tell their own story. I was particularly struck by the ending, which seems to emphasize the fact that sometimes we need to learn lessons for ourselves.
I found this picture-book adaptation charming, and enjoyed Brett's distinctive artwork, with its colorful palette and attention to detail. The side-panels, which feature the owl and cat, respectively, tell their own story. I was particularly struck by the ending, which seems to emphasize the fact that sometimes we need to learn lessons for ourselves.
Want to read
January 12, 2020This book was featured as one of the selections for the December 2019: Celebrating Jan Brett discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books group here at Goodreads.
April 3, 2018
Text-to-Self Connection
The connection for me in the book Town Mouse, County Mouse allowed me to reflect on a childhood memory. When I was a child going to the library picking out books. I remember choosing Jan Brett books for the beautiful illustrations. In my classroom I would like to show my children an author that I enjoyed as a child. This book made me reflect growing up in the country and being able to travel the world abroad. But as the saying goes, "there is no place like home". I have found my roots as an adult buying my grandfather's old home place in one day hoping to raise children out in the country.
The connection for me in the book Town Mouse, County Mouse allowed me to reflect on a childhood memory. When I was a child going to the library picking out books. I remember choosing Jan Brett books for the beautiful illustrations. In my classroom I would like to show my children an author that I enjoyed as a child. This book made me reflect growing up in the country and being able to travel the world abroad. But as the saying goes, "there is no place like home". I have found my roots as an adult buying my grandfather's old home place in one day hoping to raise children out in the country.
January 26, 2018
This one is from my childhood. The illustrations on this one make you think wow they don't make picture books like this anymore.
November 15, 2019
Just lovely!
October 25, 2021
Town Mouse, Country Mouse is a piece of folklore by Jan Brett. She features realistic yet whimsical illustrations in her signature style. The theme of this book centers around gratefulness and recognition that a life that suits one may not suit another. The end of this book is reminiscent of a circular plot and will keep young readers thinking about the book long after they set it down. Overall, this was a humorous and charming story that I would run to town, the country, and back again to have on my shelf!
March 23, 2017
I think this is my favourite version of this tale now. And now that I know how absolutely charming Jan Brett's illustrations and retelling styles are (between this one and "The Mitten") I need to read all of hers now. <3
October 22, 2021
Town Mouse, Country Mouse- This book is written by Jan Brett. The plot introduces two engaging mouse couples eager to get away from their everyday lives. She did an amazing job retelling this fable. The images are very detailed and very clear. The characters in the book meaning the mice are something children would really be interested in reading and would enjoy!!
October 25, 2021
The author Jan Brett did an amazing job on retelling this popular fable. This modern picture book focuses on two mice that want to switch homes. When you get to the climax they realized that switching was nothing like they thought. They experience unexpected adventures throughout the book. I recommend this folklore book to all ages!
October 25, 2021
The author, Jan Brett, did an amazing job with this folklore. I especially liked that the illustrations matched the genre. I noticed that many different animals were introduced throughout the story. This made me think that this formal picture book would be a great read-aloud because the class could make observations about the animals and illustrations.
October 19, 2021
Jan Brett did a wonderful job retelling this popular fable with her own twist. The plot focuses on two mice couples that desire to switch homes. In a thrilling climax, they decide switching homes is not all that they thought it would be. This modern picture book has a very formal arrangement, with beautiful illustrations covering all the spreads. I recommend this piece of folklore for readers of all ages!
June 19, 2014
My daughter (four years, ten months) tells me that this book is amazing for five stars and not just a we really like it at four stars. She also says that it was great except the fox, he was a little too scary. You gotta love kid reactions. This book was an optional resource for social studies in the Memoria Press Kindergarten in the week where we read
Come On, Rain!
(and in science we discussed rain and the phases of the water cycle). For the social studies aspect we discussed rural versus urban lifestyle.
I've read quite a few different versions of Town Mouse and the Country Mouse over the years and this was different from any other I've read, but I think I may have actually enjoyed it more than the rest. As each mouse has a wife, and there is a switch of the "grass is greener on the other side of the fence" theme rather than just visiting a cousin in other versions I know. This is a great one to show and compare.
Then there are the fun and entertaining illustrations of Jan Brett. While reading through it we didn't focus on it too much, but in rereads we have poured over the pages and really pointed out things on the sidelines to see what is going on beyond just what the characters of mice are saying.
Excellent book choice, as always with Memoria Press read aloud recommendations.
We also have:
I've read quite a few different versions of Town Mouse and the Country Mouse over the years and this was different from any other I've read, but I think I may have actually enjoyed it more than the rest. As each mouse has a wife, and there is a switch of the "grass is greener on the other side of the fence" theme rather than just visiting a cousin in other versions I know. This is a great one to show and compare.
Then there are the fun and entertaining illustrations of Jan Brett. While reading through it we didn't focus on it too much, but in rereads we have poured over the pages and really pointed out things on the sidelines to see what is going on beyond just what the characters of mice are saying.
Excellent book choice, as always with Memoria Press read aloud recommendations.
We also have:
April 2, 2014
Originally an Aesop’s fable, this story has been adapted by Jan Brett. In this version of the story, a married mice couple who live in a town long to get away on a vacation and so they go to the countryside. There they meet another married mice pair who long for the excitement and available cheese of the town, so the couples switch houses. Very quickly however, the mice discover that what they have longed for is not quite as perfect as they thought, and just not well-suited to them. Both couples face many unexpected perils due to their lack of knowledge regarding survival in their new environments. An owl chases the town couple and a cat chases the country couple, all who run past each other on the road to safety and all arrive back in their rightful homes, never again to believe that “the grass is greener on the other side”. The story cleverly ends with the owl and the cat, who have collided during their failed chase of prey, telling one another that they’d always wanted to live in the city or country, and so the reader presumes that the story starts again even though the book has ended.
This story is traditional literature because of its strong use of animals with human characteristics, little development of the one-dimensional characters, and quick resolution to the conflict. It may be used in the classroom to allow middle to upper-elementary students to compare different versions of the story as there have been many over the centuries. This story could also serve as a platform for a creative writing prompt about switching lives with another person or creature.
This story is traditional literature because of its strong use of animals with human characteristics, little development of the one-dimensional characters, and quick resolution to the conflict. It may be used in the classroom to allow middle to upper-elementary students to compare different versions of the story as there have been many over the centuries. This story could also serve as a platform for a creative writing prompt about switching lives with another person or creature.
December 3, 2012
Town mouse is tired of the hustle and bustle that is a part of his daily life. Country mouse wants some excitement and a change of the laid back pace that he has grown ever used to. In this beautifully illustrated picture book, town mouse and country mouse and their wives decide to swap homes. However, the life that they coveted is not entirely what they had expected it to be. The mice both encounter issues that they do not know how to deal with due to their lack of experience. Country mouse gets his tail snapped in a mouse trap; town mouse gets chased by a black bird. The couples quickly realize that the lives that were so boring before were actually quite perfect.
I enjoyed reading this book, and I think it would make for a great lesson in an elementary classroom. This story teaches all readers to be grateful for what they have. The grass isn't always greener on the other side. Just ask town or country mouse.
I enjoyed reading this book, and I think it would make for a great lesson in an elementary classroom. This story teaches all readers to be grateful for what they have. The grass isn't always greener on the other side. Just ask town or country mouse.
November 28, 2012
I thought it was a cute book. I remember reading this book in elementary school. The two mice swap homes with one another and realize that they would prefer their everyday home. Cute book that children would enjoy.
Learning Experience: I would do a T-chart and have the children come up and write things that they would find in the country or in the city . Then I would have the children pick out any similarities if any existed.
Learning Experience: I would do a T-chart and have the children come up and write things that they would find in the country or in the city . Then I would have the children pick out any similarities if any existed.
December 7, 2010
This author does great work with her books, and the illustrations are great with this book! I did a great activity with the students in which we created a list of 'pros' and 'cons' to living in the city versus living in the country. The kids liked discussing why they would live in either one and then wrote specifics from the book. It's a cute story and can be used for many literacy skills!
November 21, 2020
A nice one time read. The illustrations are very nice but a little scary (cat and owl scenarios).
August 22, 2024
Jan Brett books are NOT just for kids! I am well beyond adulthood and continue to enjoy her work. It must be the artist in me that can appreciate the incredible talent that we all know to be Brett, so because of the art quality, I will never stop enjoying Brett children's books.
Here, she has reimagined the comforting story of "There is no place like home" with her version of Town Mouse Country Mouse. Impeccable artwork and vignette work plays a part in this story telling by contrasting life in the country and life in the town.
She twists the story a bit by telling the story through two traditional couples instead of the traditional solitary mice. Since this is the case, the title could have been changed to Town Mice Country Mice. There must have been some discussion around the planning table and they elected to keep the original title for some reason, which denotes singletons.
The only other 'down side' (but only for a small people group of today) could be the traditional couple slant. If you are woke and do not like to perpetuate the traditional man/wife portrayal, this may or may not be up your alley, however, I do think there should be no judgement there since couplehood comes in all shapes and sizes these days and there should be nothing wrong with traditional depictions.
The contrasts in the artwork between the country and the city helps to tell the story through visual impact. I enjoyed Jan Brett's choices here. I love the old china, the buttons, the stamps and the various and sundry items of the town setting, and equally, I enjoyed the portrayal of country living and all of its flora and fauna. Jan Brett continues to impress with her drawings of nature. I especially love the way she draws feathers, frogs, plants, fungi, and all the rest. I also adore this book because she put ALL of the animals in clothing. The cat is very dapper and the owl impressively dressed as well.
The story's message overall still comes across in a delightful way. I like the vignettes very much in this book, and they tell another story on their own in typical Brett fashion. The vignettes shows the storyline according to the owl and the cat, which gives you a plot twist at the end that I did not see coming. A solid 5 star rating for me.
Here, she has reimagined the comforting story of "There is no place like home" with her version of Town Mouse Country Mouse. Impeccable artwork and vignette work plays a part in this story telling by contrasting life in the country and life in the town.
She twists the story a bit by telling the story through two traditional couples instead of the traditional solitary mice. Since this is the case, the title could have been changed to Town Mice Country Mice. There must have been some discussion around the planning table and they elected to keep the original title for some reason, which denotes singletons.
The only other 'down side' (but only for a small people group of today) could be the traditional couple slant. If you are woke and do not like to perpetuate the traditional man/wife portrayal, this may or may not be up your alley, however, I do think there should be no judgement there since couplehood comes in all shapes and sizes these days and there should be nothing wrong with traditional depictions.
The contrasts in the artwork between the country and the city helps to tell the story through visual impact. I enjoyed Jan Brett's choices here. I love the old china, the buttons, the stamps and the various and sundry items of the town setting, and equally, I enjoyed the portrayal of country living and all of its flora and fauna. Jan Brett continues to impress with her drawings of nature. I especially love the way she draws feathers, frogs, plants, fungi, and all the rest. I also adore this book because she put ALL of the animals in clothing. The cat is very dapper and the owl impressively dressed as well.
The story's message overall still comes across in a delightful way. I like the vignettes very much in this book, and they tell another story on their own in typical Brett fashion. The vignettes shows the storyline according to the owl and the cat, which gives you a plot twist at the end that I did not see coming. A solid 5 star rating for me.
April 23, 2018
This was such a cute and fun book. I think it is a WOW book to me because of the meaning behind the adventure. Town Mouse, Country Mouse is considered a folklore because it is a modern twist on an old Aesop fable, where the mice think they want to live somewhere else, but end up missing their own homes. It plays on the cliche about the grass is always greener on the other side. I think this book could be used for any grade level to teach this great lesson, but I would use it in fourth grade as a read aloud with activities to follow.
I would use this book in my classroom for many things. One obvious way to use this book is to introduce and showcase this genre of books to students. It is a great example to get students engaged and wanting to read more types of these books. In order to get students to read different books, I think it would be fun to find this same story in a bunch of different versions, written by different authors just to see how different the tales are even though they all come from the same story. This would work for a compare/contrast unit.
Another way to use this book in the classroom is to have students write their own folklore, or fairytale. Use this book as an example, and then have students write short one on their own. This genre of book is a great way to help students be imaginative and creative with their writing.
This book could also begin a science lesson about animal needs and habitats. It is a fun way to introduce that all animals need different things in the place they live in order to survive. You could start the lesson by reading this book, and then ask students why it didn't work out when the mice switched places. It is because they were not adapt to living in those different conditions. Then it would lead right into why a cow could not live in the desert or why a koala cannot live in a normal forest. This would be a good book to tie in science and literacy content.
I would use this book in my classroom for many things. One obvious way to use this book is to introduce and showcase this genre of books to students. It is a great example to get students engaged and wanting to read more types of these books. In order to get students to read different books, I think it would be fun to find this same story in a bunch of different versions, written by different authors just to see how different the tales are even though they all come from the same story. This would work for a compare/contrast unit.
Another way to use this book in the classroom is to have students write their own folklore, or fairytale. Use this book as an example, and then have students write short one on their own. This genre of book is a great way to help students be imaginative and creative with their writing.
This book could also begin a science lesson about animal needs and habitats. It is a fun way to introduce that all animals need different things in the place they live in order to survive. You could start the lesson by reading this book, and then ask students why it didn't work out when the mice switched places. It is because they were not adapt to living in those different conditions. Then it would lead right into why a cow could not live in the desert or why a koala cannot live in a normal forest. This would be a good book to tie in science and literacy content.
September 18, 2019
We should be happy with what we have and should not always envy what somebody else has. This is the moral of the book “Town Mouse, Country Mouse” by Jan Brett. Since the story conveys a pretty strong message and since it is about a cat, an owl, and four mice that can talk, it can be considered a typical fable. Throughout the whole book, every other page is reserved for either the town mice or the country mice. This way of organizing the content constantly shows the readers the downsides of not being happy with what you have and yearning for everything you do not have, and therefore, reinforces the moral of the fable.
The moral of the story is also what I personally liked most about “Town Mouse, Country Mouse” by Jan Brett. Even though the moral is hidden and may need some time to be understood, I still strongly believe that children will grasp it after a while. They will eventually and hopefully also understand the importance of the message conveyed so that they will forget their greatest wishes at least for a while. Another aspect that I also loved about this fable is that the pictures depict many stereotypes. For instance, whereas the town mice are beautifully dressed and even wear jewelry, the country mice stand out because of the rags they have slipped on. This clear contrast may foster stereotypes in the minds of children. Whereas I do not consider the illustrations highly problematic because they are part of a fable, I am convinced that this is an aspect that could be taken up in a classroom so that the formation of stereotypes can be prevented.
Other than the reinforcement of stereotypes, I consider this fable as an ideal resource for the classroom to practice finding the moral and to take a look at the characteristics of the genre. It is short enough for classroom use and still contains all necessary features of a fable. Therefore, I would definitely use it in the classroom so that my students get a feel for the structure and organization of the genre.
The moral of the story is also what I personally liked most about “Town Mouse, Country Mouse” by Jan Brett. Even though the moral is hidden and may need some time to be understood, I still strongly believe that children will grasp it after a while. They will eventually and hopefully also understand the importance of the message conveyed so that they will forget their greatest wishes at least for a while. Another aspect that I also loved about this fable is that the pictures depict many stereotypes. For instance, whereas the town mice are beautifully dressed and even wear jewelry, the country mice stand out because of the rags they have slipped on. This clear contrast may foster stereotypes in the minds of children. Whereas I do not consider the illustrations highly problematic because they are part of a fable, I am convinced that this is an aspect that could be taken up in a classroom so that the formation of stereotypes can be prevented.
Other than the reinforcement of stereotypes, I consider this fable as an ideal resource for the classroom to practice finding the moral and to take a look at the characteristics of the genre. It is short enough for classroom use and still contains all necessary features of a fable. Therefore, I would definitely use it in the classroom so that my students get a feel for the structure and organization of the genre.
December 2, 2018
Two sets of mice want to escape their worries. One set of mice are known as the Town Mice. They live in town and desire to escape the cat that's living in the house. The other set of mice are know as the Country Mice. They want to get away from the owl that bothers them. The mice switch places to escape their problems. Will they live in their new homes worry free?
Town Mouse, Country Mouse is a very good book. I really enjoyed the pictures in it. Part of the page would show the cat/owl and what they were doing. The other half of the page would show what the mice were doing. By looking at both pictures you are able to get a better sense of what what was going on in the picture and where the animals were in the room/area in relation to one another. They were also very detailed and colorful. I also thought that it was very funny that the animals switch places with each other without any questions asked. The couples met each other, both stated they didn't like their homes, and then just immediately agreed to switch houses. That's very unrealistic and silly. Finally, I thought the ending was so funny as well. The last page is the cat and the owl talking to each other. They talked and decided, like the mice did, that they didn't like their homes. I imagine that they switched places and realized they truly did like their homes.
This book would be good to teach kids that they should never wish to live another's life and to appreciate what they have. It could also be used in an art class to show kids the importance of details. Since they were mice all the pictures were close up and had a lot of details. The kids could practice giving their artwork details after having read the book. It could also be used if the class had a pet mouse. It would help the kids understand what is dangerous or scary for mice and how to care for them.
Town Mouse, Country Mouse is a very good book. I really enjoyed the pictures in it. Part of the page would show the cat/owl and what they were doing. The other half of the page would show what the mice were doing. By looking at both pictures you are able to get a better sense of what what was going on in the picture and where the animals were in the room/area in relation to one another. They were also very detailed and colorful. I also thought that it was very funny that the animals switch places with each other without any questions asked. The couples met each other, both stated they didn't like their homes, and then just immediately agreed to switch houses. That's very unrealistic and silly. Finally, I thought the ending was so funny as well. The last page is the cat and the owl talking to each other. They talked and decided, like the mice did, that they didn't like their homes. I imagine that they switched places and realized they truly did like their homes.
This book would be good to teach kids that they should never wish to live another's life and to appreciate what they have. It could also be used in an art class to show kids the importance of details. Since they were mice all the pictures were close up and had a lot of details. The kids could practice giving their artwork details after having read the book. It could also be used if the class had a pet mouse. It would help the kids understand what is dangerous or scary for mice and how to care for them.
August 24, 2018
In other books I'm reading, I'm currently working my way through Arthur Rackham's illustrated version of Aesop's fables, so the story of the town mouse and the country mouse who switch abodes is fresh in my mind. Aesop's version is obviously very concise, but I very much enjoyed Jan Brett's heavily illustrated and slightly expanded text. The contrast between the woodland setting (a staple in Brett's work, though generally covered in snow) and the town house (an easy win for luxurious backgrounds and Brett's signature detail) is extremely well done and may actually be one of Brett's strongest books to date. Brett is known for her Scandinavian and central-European snow-covered landscapes, but it was a lovely change to see her tackle the lush greenery of a summertime forest since she is no less a master of working in overabundant colour than in carefully warmed whites. The book is also a good reimagining of Aesop's classic fable - showing readers the benefits and disadvantages of each way of living, and providing a conclusion that is rife with humour. Only Brett would see the run-in between the predatory owl and cat as a moment of comedic reflection, and this careful turn of story is sure to bring a laugh to any reader.
September 28, 2022
The plot of this story was how the town mouse went and visited his cousin, the country mouse, and had to adjust to life as a country mouse. He had to deal with new predators and new foods to eat. The Town Mouse was not pleased when he was almost eaten by an owl and invited the country mouse back to his house in the city. The country mouse now got to experience all the things he wasn't used to too. I thought the characters in the story were very adorable and beautifully illustrated. This troy was very engaging and even had holes in the pages to see the illustrations on the next page to follow the text. Each illustration described what the text was saying so would be easy to follow along for students who aren't the strongest readers. I really liked the message behind the story of trying to get out of your comfort zone! I would use this in my classroom with my students under the theme of trying new things and can connect with the standard of event sequencing. The story was very easy to follow and each portion of the book had a big event happen which will make it easy to break up into a sequence.
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