The Purple Ribbon

by Sharelle Byars Moranville, Anna Alter (Illustrations)

The charming adventures of a mouse family—who take up residence in a most unlikely place!

Wrapping one end of the purple ribbon around herself and her babies, Spring daydreamed. Someday she’d take her little ones home to live in the shade of the thorn tree. But, for now, they would be a family of car mice.

Spring is a field mouse. She lives with her babies—Parsley Snowflake, Oak, Pebble, and little Jellybean—under the front seat of an old abandoned car. This is the story of their marvelous (and sometimes not so marvelous) adventures. It is also the story of a very special purple ribbon that keeps Spring and her mighty family safe and happy—and always together.

Sharelle Byars Moranville has written a warmhearted tale that is ideal for reading aloud—for the whole family to enjoy together.

Genres: Childrens

80 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2003

About the author

When I was a kid, I wanted to be an engineer--and some days still do. But I love being a writer and teacher of creative writing. I live on a small acreage with my husband in the midwest and am devoted to gardens and grandchildren. I spend most of my time helping things grow: ideas into stories; seeds into flowers; grandbabies into miracles.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

The right readers will feel represented and respected. Others may have their sense of compassion developed.

This is not just a cute story about mice, but a family epic about a matrilineal succession of 'people' living on the edge of starvation, terror, & death on one hand, vs. awe, love, & joy on the other.

I don't object, this time, to animals in clothing, because we readers are being reminded that the mice are actually metaphorical representations for homo sapiens.

Reminds me of classics like Rabbit Hill and the Book of Exodus, with themes of resilience, courage, perseverance. That may seem like too much, but I believe the author had literary themes in mind and hoped some readers would get a sense of the depths.

I'm not a scholar or critic. I don't know why it seems so rich, resonant, and re-readable to me... somehow, that's the mindset I happened to have at the time. I have no idea if it can be enjoyed on a less weighty level, as just a little heartwarming story of a brave family.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adorable story of love, home and family.

[Ellista Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a beautiful chapter book with great imagery shown in the writing. It also has a few pictures spread throughout the book.
ATOS: 4.3
Lexile: 600L
Trait: Ideas

[Kali VanBaale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this adorable book so much I bought a copy for my daughter to give to her for Christmas!