Feldman Fieldmouse: A Fable

by Hilary Knight, Nathaniel Benchley (Illustrator)

A fieldmouse is visited by his uncle who teaches him to work and to take the risk of dancing in the moonlight.

Paperback

Published January 1, 1972

About the author

Hilary Knight writes, "I attribute any abilities I possess to the fact that both my parents are artists and writers. My father, Clayton Knight, is well-known for his aviation paintings and books. My mother, Katharine Sturges, has done fashion drawings, fabric designs as well as many children's books" (The Horn Book, 1968).

Born in Hempstead, Long Island, New York, in 1926. Childhood spent on Long Island and in New York City. Attended Art Students League, New York, where he studied under Reginald Marsh.

The Navy interrupted his studies from 1944 to 1946, but Mr. Knight went on painting -- ships. His own career began when several of his humorous drawings were published in "House and Garden" and "Mademoiselle." His famous illustrations for Eloise by Kay Thompson came out in 1955 followed by several sequels. He has illustrated more than fifty books for children, six of which he wrote himself.

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feldman Fieldmouse has a dream of bringing a little beauty into their lives (47). He teaches his nephew that because their lives are so full of unpleasant things, it’s nice to be able to relax for a while and do something pleasant (71). He wants to share in the beauty of the rabbit dance - “If the whole world could know joy like that, it would be a better place to live in.” (32) - and he is willing to risk everything for it. (96).

[Nelleke Plouffe · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve had this on my shelf for a while, bought on the basis of an attractive cover, font, and illustrations. I’ve now read it aloud to my boys, and it was sort of okay, but really not worth the space on our shelves. Why read this when you could be reading A Cricket in Times Square, or Charlotte’s Web?

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strange but oddly charming children’s novel about the innocence of youth and learning about what the world is really like, told from the perspective of an uncle (mouse) his nephew (mouse), and the human boy who befriends them.