New Question for Mouse

by Fynisa Engler, Ryan Law (illustrator)

As Mouse continues his foster care journey, a classmate asks him the question that many foster children are Why does your family look diff erent? Mouse struggles with answering and doesn’t know who his family is. Is his family his mom even though they don’t live together, or is it his foster family even though they aren’t related? Just when Mouse thinks he’ll never fi gure it out, he learns the true meaning of family.

28 pages, Paperback

Published October 10, 2024

Reviews

[Katie Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

Foster care and adoption can raise many questions for children going through the process, and New Question for Mouse helps to answer these difficult questions in a simple and meaningful way.
As a foster mouse, Mouse is wondering who his “family” is. He experiences the conflict of wondering if his foster family is truly his family, as they don’t look like him. This struggle also makes him think about his birth mother, and if she is considered “family”, too.
These difficult questions and conversations are handled delicately in this book and help open the door to have these important conversations at home. This book is a wonderful way to help caregivers have these tough conversations with children experiencing foster care or adoption, and also teaches ALL children that not all families look alike.

[Ann Borrmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Question For Mouse is the next book in Fynisa Engler's sweet Mouse series.
In this heartwarming story, Mouse has insecurities about looking different from his foster family. First, Goat points it out to Mouse on the bus, then Mouse is faced with an assignment from school about family. Now he is no longer sure who his family is!
What does make a family a family?
The simple message in this book is a wonderful reminder to us all.
Not only would this book would make an excellent addition to school shelves, it would be a great resource for parents who foster, and Ryan Law's charming illustrations will keep children engaged throughout the story.

[Reader Trejo · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this heartfelt story, Mouse navigates the complexities of foster care and the challenging question of what truly defines a family. As he wrestles with uncertainty and identity, readers are taken on an emotional journey where Mouse discovers that family goes beyond biological ties. They all don’t look alike. Mouse’s life lessons continue in this newest book, offering a touching and insightful tale that explores belonging, love, and the real meaning of family.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

We were excited to add another cute Foster Mouse book to our collection! I think this book is very important and relatable as many kids, whether they are in foster situation or not, may look different from their parents and siblings. I love the conclusion that Mouse comes to. So sweet and such a gentle way to teach this important principle.

[J.T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! It is a must for any foster, adopted, or blended family. This book, with a heartwarming message about the meaning of family, might be my favorite. The illustrations are darling, and the story is so relatable to kids. Each book in the series is a stand alone, but I recommend them all.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Questions For Mouse is a heartfelt story of a mouse in foster care finding out that family doesn't always mean who you are related too but who is in your heart! I think this is a great book for all children to learn that not all families are the same and they can come in all shapes and sizes but what makes your family special is the love that is felt all around!

[Debi Novotny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wonderful story shares how Mouse comes to realize the true meaning of family as he begins to recognize that families, foster families, multigenerational families, and blended families may not look alike and that's ok! Another beautiful story in the Mouse series!

[Keri McWhorter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fynisa and Ryan do it again—using an adorable mouse and his sweet friends to gently explore important and heartfelt topics surrounding foster care.

[Rachel Rivenburgh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such great messages throughout this book! We loved reading it.