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The Umbrella Mouse
A timeless tale of courage, resistance and friendship, The Umbrella Mouse is a heart-stopping adventure drawing on the true stories of animals caught in the conflict of WWII.
1944, and London is under attack. Young mouse Pip Hanway's safe and quiet world is turned upside down when her home, umbrella shop James Smith & Sons, is destroyed by a bomb. Orphaned and alone, she must begin a perilous quest to find a new home.
But the only way to get there is by joining Noah’s Ark, a secret gang of animals fighting the resistance in France, operating beneath the feet of the human soldiers. Danger is everywhere and as the enemy closes in, Pip must risk everything to save her new friends.
Beautifully illustrated by Sam Usher, Anna Fargher's debut novel takes you on an incredible journey through a war that reaches even the smallest of creatures.
'An ambitious and wonderfully well-achieved first novel' Michael Morpurgo
'A spellbinding tale of bravery and hope, where courage is found in the smallest of heroes' Gill Lewis, author of Sky Hawk
1944, and London is under attack. Young mouse Pip Hanway's safe and quiet world is turned upside down when her home, umbrella shop James Smith & Sons, is destroyed by a bomb. Orphaned and alone, she must begin a perilous quest to find a new home.
But the only way to get there is by joining Noah’s Ark, a secret gang of animals fighting the resistance in France, operating beneath the feet of the human soldiers. Danger is everywhere and as the enemy closes in, Pip must risk everything to save her new friends.
Beautifully illustrated by Sam Usher, Anna Fargher's debut novel takes you on an incredible journey through a war that reaches even the smallest of creatures.
'An ambitious and wonderfully well-achieved first novel' Michael Morpurgo
'A spellbinding tale of bravery and hope, where courage is found in the smallest of heroes' Gill Lewis, author of Sky Hawk
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 2, 2019
43 people are currently reading
714 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
July 19, 2019
This book was beautiful and fascinating. Much more emotional than I had expected - I cried within the first thirty pages - I loved Pip, and my heart absolutely broke for her as her life was torn apart by WWII. She loses her home and family in one moment, an all too real scenario for people living through a war.
I highly recommend this, it's both a wonderful story and also an excellent way to teach children about aspects of WWII. I sincerely hope Anna Fargher writes more books because I loved this!
The illustrations by Sam Usher were wonderful too.
I highly recommend this, it's both a wonderful story and also an excellent way to teach children about aspects of WWII. I sincerely hope Anna Fargher writes more books because I loved this!
The illustrations by Sam Usher were wonderful too.
October 5, 2023
This was bought for me a year or so ago as a gift, so I kind of felt inclined to make the effort to read it. This is essentially a children's book, and while I've definitely read better than this, it was fairly readable with some sweet moments.
I liked how the book contained little snippets of information about World War II, and writing it in such a way so that children may understand it, and I suppose the fact that it's all based on a mouse makes it all the more fun. However, the praise ends there unfortunately, as there were a few noticeable issues with this book.
I didn't think the use of bad language was needed, I mean, it added absolutely nothing to the dialogue, and if it was just out in for effect, well, it didn't work. This is a children's book, they don't need that.
Around the halfway point I found the writing to be rather repetitive, especially the descriptions of the animals. Once we know the appearance of the character, that doesn't need to be repeated every two pages. It's tedious.
Also, I don't know how good this would be to share with a child to read aloud, because some of the sentences were tremendously long-winded, sometimes unnecessarily so, and that made me feel like the author was desperate to increase the word count.
Overall, I think this could have been much better, but I do appreciate what the author was attempting to do here.
I liked how the book contained little snippets of information about World War II, and writing it in such a way so that children may understand it, and I suppose the fact that it's all based on a mouse makes it all the more fun. However, the praise ends there unfortunately, as there were a few noticeable issues with this book.
I didn't think the use of bad language was needed, I mean, it added absolutely nothing to the dialogue, and if it was just out in for effect, well, it didn't work. This is a children's book, they don't need that.
Around the halfway point I found the writing to be rather repetitive, especially the descriptions of the animals. Once we know the appearance of the character, that doesn't need to be repeated every two pages. It's tedious.
Also, I don't know how good this would be to share with a child to read aloud, because some of the sentences were tremendously long-winded, sometimes unnecessarily so, and that made me feel like the author was desperate to increase the word count.
Overall, I think this could have been much better, but I do appreciate what the author was attempting to do here.
February 5, 2020
Firstly, thank you to Pan Macmillan for an ARC of this book. I had not heard anything about this before picking it up, and I'm glad I read it!
The story follows Pip who is a small mouse who lives with her mother and father in an umbrella shop in London. Tragedy strikes very early on in the book and Pip is forced to venture beyond the comforts of home with the hopes of travelling across war-ridden Europe to the only family she has left. On her adventures, she comes across a secret animal service working on the side of good in the war efforts, adding their own contributions to the monstrous war.
I love children's stories set during this time period because they have a way of teaching history in a way that children will see the horrors of war without ever going too far. The Umbrella Mouse has its fair share of raw moments during a very troublesome time in human history, but we do forget about what the animals went through too and I love the unique spin that Anna Fargher has done to this part of history. I think readers will sympathise with Pip early on in the book and it's such a pleasure to see her grow from a bit of a selfish mouse to a selfless friend and ally - that kind of growth was incredible to watch. There are many supporting characters who you root for too, and there were moments near the end of the book where I felt genuinely concerned about these characters.
This story kept me engaged from literally the first chapter and I was impressed with this tale about a mouse, and big shout-out to Sam Usher who illustrated the book. They're gorgeous. All in all, thoroughly enjoyable read that I definitely recommend for anyone who wants to read an inspiring story about a little mouse who can make a big difference. I think children will look up to Pip and learn a great deal from her.
The story follows Pip who is a small mouse who lives with her mother and father in an umbrella shop in London. Tragedy strikes very early on in the book and Pip is forced to venture beyond the comforts of home with the hopes of travelling across war-ridden Europe to the only family she has left. On her adventures, she comes across a secret animal service working on the side of good in the war efforts, adding their own contributions to the monstrous war.
I love children's stories set during this time period because they have a way of teaching history in a way that children will see the horrors of war without ever going too far. The Umbrella Mouse has its fair share of raw moments during a very troublesome time in human history, but we do forget about what the animals went through too and I love the unique spin that Anna Fargher has done to this part of history. I think readers will sympathise with Pip early on in the book and it's such a pleasure to see her grow from a bit of a selfish mouse to a selfless friend and ally - that kind of growth was incredible to watch. There are many supporting characters who you root for too, and there were moments near the end of the book where I felt genuinely concerned about these characters.
This story kept me engaged from literally the first chapter and I was impressed with this tale about a mouse, and big shout-out to Sam Usher who illustrated the book. They're gorgeous. All in all, thoroughly enjoyable read that I definitely recommend for anyone who wants to read an inspiring story about a little mouse who can make a big difference. I think children will look up to Pip and learn a great deal from her.
May 21, 2019
I was anxious to read this book as I had visited the umbrella shop in London where Pip's adventures began. I was impressed with the author's ability to weave the animals' brave WWII adventures with real events. Some of the bravest resistance fighters of that war have been honoured in this story and seeing a time of horror and devastation through a small mouse's eyes is poignant and beautifully written.
October 24, 2019
I read this book aloud to my kids.
On the one hand, I really, really liked this book. It's different and fun. It's informative and makes facts about World War II accessible to children. True stories from World War II were woven into and influenced this tale of a young umbrella mouse making it more impacting than your average fictionalized historical read.
On the other hand, for a book marketed to children I found it contained a lot of "bad language" such as "ass" and "damn" etc. If you consider the fact that the story involves a lot of high stress situations, you might find this permitable. However, given the fact that it's written for children and marketed to children, I think the author can and should have done without.
Also, for reasons which I have a hard time articulating, I found this book very difficult to read aloud. I was trying to figure out why as I read along and I think it makes a mildly clumsy read aloud for the number of commas used in longer sentence structures. Where you would take a natural pause and breathe in, you found yourself required to speed into the next portion of the sentence. I felt like this made me a choppy reader and it was a frustrating aspect of reading this story aloud.
My two cents. It was clever and informative and interesting. It was hard to read and involved language I didn't find appropriate for children (so I edited those words out during the read).
On the one hand, I really, really liked this book. It's different and fun. It's informative and makes facts about World War II accessible to children. True stories from World War II were woven into and influenced this tale of a young umbrella mouse making it more impacting than your average fictionalized historical read.
On the other hand, for a book marketed to children I found it contained a lot of "bad language" such as "ass" and "damn" etc. If you consider the fact that the story involves a lot of high stress situations, you might find this permitable. However, given the fact that it's written for children and marketed to children, I think the author can and should have done without.
Also, for reasons which I have a hard time articulating, I found this book very difficult to read aloud. I was trying to figure out why as I read along and I think it makes a mildly clumsy read aloud for the number of commas used in longer sentence structures. Where you would take a natural pause and breathe in, you found yourself required to speed into the next portion of the sentence. I felt like this made me a choppy reader and it was a frustrating aspect of reading this story aloud.
My two cents. It was clever and informative and interesting. It was hard to read and involved language I didn't find appropriate for children (so I edited those words out during the read).
May 19, 2019
The Umbrella Mouse is one of those truly special books, whose characters are so brilliantly realised that I was completely immersed, and invested, in their adventure which is of epic proportions: full of action, tension and heroic deeds, interspersed with the building of heart-warming friendships. And all this from animals who fight in tandem with the humans, although they are unaware of the vital efforts, and sacrifices, the animals are making to help win the war.
It is 1944: meet Pip Hanway, an inquisitive, daring and rather impetuous young mouse who is living in an antique umbrella, with her parents, in James Smith & Sons Umbrella Shop. When a bomb strikes the shop, her world is brutally shattered: the only link that remains to her family and home is the umbrella which becomes a powerful symbol of remembrance and hope of re-connection with her only remaining family.
The grief, longing and loneliness Pip experiences as a result of this horrific experience is heart-breaking, so it is such a relief when she meets the kind-hearted, caring and protective Dickin, a Search and Rescue terrier, who alongside GI Joe, a homing pigeon and Hans, a German rat, become her steadfast friends.
Pip soon joins Churchill’s Secret Animal Army, an underground animal resistance movement, and so begins her daring mission to help the Allied powers, a mission which takes her to war-torn France … where she is caught up in the brutality of the war alongside her French Counterparts, Noah’s Ark. Will she and her friends survive unscathed from the war raging around them?
Pip absolutely engenders the indomitable spirit of our war time heroes, and I adored her for it! Despite her small stature, her fortitude and sheer determination is so uplifting as is her strength in building, and protecting, lasting friendships with her new family.
I was really struck by how the horror and futility of war is realistically portrayed and not watered down for a younger audience, yet because of the use of animal characters and the skill of the narration, it is entirely suitable for its audience.
I don’t normally share quotes from books, but these are just too meaningful to leave unshared, and really had an impact on me:
“I just need to find the courage in my heart to begin something new.”
“Without mistakes, your life will never know adventure.”
What powerful messages to be giving to young readers – in fact – to readers of any age!
Sam Usher’s wonderful illustrations complement the story perfectly. I was also very touched by the Author’s Note which shares her inspiration, and motivation, for the story.
I cannot recommend this story highly enough, and think it would be a perfect book to use alongside a unit on World War II – or just to read because it is exceptional story-telling!
It is 1944: meet Pip Hanway, an inquisitive, daring and rather impetuous young mouse who is living in an antique umbrella, with her parents, in James Smith & Sons Umbrella Shop. When a bomb strikes the shop, her world is brutally shattered: the only link that remains to her family and home is the umbrella which becomes a powerful symbol of remembrance and hope of re-connection with her only remaining family.
The grief, longing and loneliness Pip experiences as a result of this horrific experience is heart-breaking, so it is such a relief when she meets the kind-hearted, caring and protective Dickin, a Search and Rescue terrier, who alongside GI Joe, a homing pigeon and Hans, a German rat, become her steadfast friends.
Pip soon joins Churchill’s Secret Animal Army, an underground animal resistance movement, and so begins her daring mission to help the Allied powers, a mission which takes her to war-torn France … where she is caught up in the brutality of the war alongside her French Counterparts, Noah’s Ark. Will she and her friends survive unscathed from the war raging around them?
Pip absolutely engenders the indomitable spirit of our war time heroes, and I adored her for it! Despite her small stature, her fortitude and sheer determination is so uplifting as is her strength in building, and protecting, lasting friendships with her new family.
I was really struck by how the horror and futility of war is realistically portrayed and not watered down for a younger audience, yet because of the use of animal characters and the skill of the narration, it is entirely suitable for its audience.
I don’t normally share quotes from books, but these are just too meaningful to leave unshared, and really had an impact on me:
“I just need to find the courage in my heart to begin something new.”
“Without mistakes, your life will never know adventure.”
What powerful messages to be giving to young readers – in fact – to readers of any age!
Sam Usher’s wonderful illustrations complement the story perfectly. I was also very touched by the Author’s Note which shares her inspiration, and motivation, for the story.
I cannot recommend this story highly enough, and think it would be a perfect book to use alongside a unit on World War II – or just to read because it is exceptional story-telling!
November 5, 2019
This was much more emotional than I went in expecting it to be, I was crying in the first few chapters. I think it's a great book to introduce children to the way war had an impact on everybody, and that not everything was black and white (such as all germans being the enemy etc) it doesn't shy away from the details and I think that is important.
While this is maybe aimed at a slightly younger audience than the usual middle grades I read I absolutely enjoyed it. The little illustrations throughout were lovely too.
While this is maybe aimed at a slightly younger audience than the usual middle grades I read I absolutely enjoyed it. The little illustrations throughout were lovely too.
December 6, 2024
If you want to teach your kids about the Holocaust, this book would be perfect to introduce this topic to your younger readers.
This book is about a mouse, Pip, who loses her family in the war. She is found by a group of animals that fight against the enemy and try to end the war.
The story is full of sweet stories like friendship and bravery. It also has a few suspenseful moments and a few twists. The kids had such a good time listening to this book. I highly suggest adding this book to your library.
WARNING:
- Mention of death.
- Mentions of torture.
This book is about a mouse, Pip, who loses her family in the war. She is found by a group of animals that fight against the enemy and try to end the war.
The story is full of sweet stories like friendship and bravery. It also has a few suspenseful moments and a few twists. The kids had such a good time listening to this book. I highly suggest adding this book to your library.
WARNING:
- Mention of death.
- Mentions of torture.
July 12, 2020
Well - this book sure as heck wasn't what I was expecting!!
Based on quite an intrepid premise, it is well-written, with great characters and it surely packs a punch.
Set during World War 2, with a cast of anthropomorphic animals, it tells the tale of Pip the mouse, who loses her family during a bomb attack on London. Pip and her family lived in a prestigious umbrella shop, in the spokes of an historic umbrella, owned by Jonas Hanway, the first person in history to use an umbrella (historical fact.) Her mother was Italian, from the home of the only Umbrella Museum in the world in Gignese. After her parents' tragic demise, Pip decides that she would return the Hanway umbrella to its rightful place - the umbrella museum.
But she doesn't initially take into account that they were in the middle of a war and she needs to traverse France to get to Italy - where much of the fighting is taking place.
So starts her journey as she meets a cast of colourful, animal, characters who either help or hinder her on her journey. These animal characters and their wartime roles cleverly mirror corresponding human roles during the war... including rescuers, wheelers and dealers, messengers and resistance fighters
Initially, Pip is aided by Churchill's Secret Army in London, one of whom is Hans, a German rat who has defected from the Nazis and come to help the Allies. This is one of the subtleties of the story which is wonderful to see... not ALL Germans are bad, and, as it turns out, not all of those in the French Resistance (with whom Pip spends much of the story) are good.
This story has a bit of an old-fashioned feel to it... it wouldn't have surprised me if someone had told me that it had been written in the 1960s/70s! (It was written in 2019.)
It has wholly perplexed me as to where to house it in the Library... History? Animal? Mystery/Adventure? I have to try and determine which group of readers would enjoy the story and every time I think about it I come up with a different answer! At the moment I am thinking Mystery/Adventure as it is fast-paced and exciting... but then it would also appeal to those students who love animal stories... And the historical element can not be denied! Arrggghhh!!
Based on quite an intrepid premise, it is well-written, with great characters and it surely packs a punch.
Set during World War 2, with a cast of anthropomorphic animals, it tells the tale of Pip the mouse, who loses her family during a bomb attack on London. Pip and her family lived in a prestigious umbrella shop, in the spokes of an historic umbrella, owned by Jonas Hanway, the first person in history to use an umbrella (historical fact.) Her mother was Italian, from the home of the only Umbrella Museum in the world in Gignese. After her parents' tragic demise, Pip decides that she would return the Hanway umbrella to its rightful place - the umbrella museum.
But she doesn't initially take into account that they were in the middle of a war and she needs to traverse France to get to Italy - where much of the fighting is taking place.
So starts her journey as she meets a cast of colourful, animal, characters who either help or hinder her on her journey. These animal characters and their wartime roles cleverly mirror corresponding human roles during the war... including rescuers, wheelers and dealers, messengers and resistance fighters
Initially, Pip is aided by Churchill's Secret Army in London, one of whom is Hans, a German rat who has defected from the Nazis and come to help the Allies. This is one of the subtleties of the story which is wonderful to see... not ALL Germans are bad, and, as it turns out, not all of those in the French Resistance (with whom Pip spends much of the story) are good.
This story has a bit of an old-fashioned feel to it... it wouldn't have surprised me if someone had told me that it had been written in the 1960s/70s! (It was written in 2019.)
It has wholly perplexed me as to where to house it in the Library... History? Animal? Mystery/Adventure? I have to try and determine which group of readers would enjoy the story and every time I think about it I come up with a different answer! At the moment I am thinking Mystery/Adventure as it is fast-paced and exciting... but then it would also appeal to those students who love animal stories... And the historical element can not be denied! Arrggghhh!!
March 26, 2023
Bookish fact I learned about myself while reading this book aloud to my boys: I DO NOT like books with main characters who are rodent warriors. I mean, I'm all about a WWII historical fiction seen from a different perspective. But a mouse determined to save her family's umbrella (an umbrella🤦🏼♀️) who accidentally finds herself as part of the animal underground resistance fighting against the Third Reich? Nope. And the leader of said resistance is a French hedgehog? Nope nope. Not only were there actual grammatical errors in the book, but there were too many inconsistencies to overlook (a golden eagle struggling in a battle against a pigeon? Seriously??) We've been slogging through this book since September and I'm glad we finally finished it. For the record, some of my boys really enjoyed it which is why we didn't quit. It just wasn't for me.
February 10, 2021
The Umbrella Mouse is an exciting espionage thriller set towards the end of the Second World War. It is a story about a young mouse who is orphaned and left homeless after her home and family are destroyed by a German bomb. She joins a resistance cell made up other animals working in occupied France and helps them to fight back against the Nazis behind enemy lines, sabotaging supply lines and planning daring escapes.
I loved this and will definitely be buying this for my nephew.
Highly recommend tothose who want a new perspective on WW2.
Many thanks to Netgalley for this ARC all views are my own.
I loved this and will definitely be buying this for my nephew.
Highly recommend tothose who want a new perspective on WW2.
Many thanks to Netgalley for this ARC all views are my own.
March 24, 2020
Enjoyable, and not just because I have a soft spot for small, squeaky things.
This book harks back to quite a traditional kind of children's writing. It has anthropomorphic animals, brutal loss and whimsy.
It lacks subtlety in places, and I'd like the baddies to be better drawn (they are just evil Nazi Falcons, evil Nazi owls, evil Nazi rats, etc). But, overall, quite engaging.
This book harks back to quite a traditional kind of children's writing. It has anthropomorphic animals, brutal loss and whimsy.
It lacks subtlety in places, and I'd like the baddies to be better drawn (they are just evil Nazi Falcons, evil Nazi owls, evil Nazi rats, etc). But, overall, quite engaging.
May 16, 2020
I enjoyed the book but I think the setting of wartime put me off a bit. I really liked all the characters, one of my favourites was Dickin and I would have liked more of him. Despite being a children's book, parts of the story are quite hard-hitting, but all written very well.
April 19, 2024
I chose this as a historical fiction read b/c it was set during WWII but didn't seem as heavy as many of those books given it is anthropomorphic. I think we enjoyed the adventure of this and the sweet friendship, though I am not sure we learned much about this time in history. I think my crew would have appreciated this a bit more if we read it a few years earlier.
October 19, 2019
What an emotional roller-coaster. Review to come!
October 31, 2019
This book stole my heart.
June 8, 2021
Anthropomorphised animals dealing with the blitz and joining the resistance! Adorable! I would suggest best enjoyed by people aged at least ten. 🐭☂️
October 23, 2023
First of all a big head's up: this book is dark, and surprisingly graphic for a middle grade novel. I'd definitely slot it on the higher end of middle grade.
Secondly, I love middle grade. I love animal characters. I prefer them to be somewhat realistic, though, so blushing mice really pull me out of it, haha!
Having said that, I really enjoyed this, and I actually learned some things I didn't know yet about WWII, so I definitely loved that! I already own the sequel, so I'll be reading that next!
Secondly, I love middle grade. I love animal characters. I prefer them to be somewhat realistic, though, so blushing mice really pull me out of it, haha!
Having said that, I really enjoyed this, and I actually learned some things I didn't know yet about WWII, so I definitely loved that! I already own the sequel, so I'll be reading that next!
June 16, 2019
Well, this was such a short, sweet, uplifiting book all about courage, friendship and loyalty that had me captivated. I had never read a book with solely animal characters before and in my opinion, I enjoyed the voices of these characters more than many human ones if I'm being totally honest. I don't read enough historical MG and The Umbrella Mouse may have convinced me to explore the genre more.
This book certainly doesn't shy away from the horrors of World War Two and some may think it's not appropriate for a book that is primarily aimed at 9 - 12 year olds. I certainly disagree, it is told in an entertaining yet factual way and this is perfect for getting children learning more about that period of time. The historical accuracy throughout the book is commendable and I applaud the author for this - it can't be easy researching into a topic that is, at times pretty harrowing.
I relished the plot and really enjoyed how the reader is taken straight into the action. It's fast-moving and this, in turn, makes you want to continue reading no matter what. At times I felt rushes of adrenaline and found my heart was racing. You are constantly praying for the best but at times are expecting the worse. When a book does this, you know it's a great one. Moving on, I found the use of animals within the story to be exceptional. I'll admit I don't know much about how animals were used during World War Two apart from the basics so this was a really eye opener for me. Without these animals, the war may not have gone the way it did.
Pip, she was such a sweetheart! I adored her as a character from the moment she was introduced. I found myself caring for her..a lot and was constantly wishing nothing bad would happen to her. Her character development was next to none and it was a joy to see her discover how brave and courageous she really was. Her friendships with the other animals was just heartwarming to read about and she's certainly going to be a character that sticks in my mind for a long time. We all, at times, need to find our inner Pip and embrace it.
The only negative thing about The Umbrella Mouse was that it ended so abruptly that I didn't get many answers that I was hoping to find before the end. It also felt like the plot line changed halfway through. However, this may be because a sequel is the works. I'm hoping.
The Umbrella Mouse was a pleasure to read. It's a story all about finding your inner courage and doing what you think is right no matter what. A lot of children, I think, will come out of this book having been educated and entertained.
This book certainly doesn't shy away from the horrors of World War Two and some may think it's not appropriate for a book that is primarily aimed at 9 - 12 year olds. I certainly disagree, it is told in an entertaining yet factual way and this is perfect for getting children learning more about that period of time. The historical accuracy throughout the book is commendable and I applaud the author for this - it can't be easy researching into a topic that is, at times pretty harrowing.
I relished the plot and really enjoyed how the reader is taken straight into the action. It's fast-moving and this, in turn, makes you want to continue reading no matter what. At times I felt rushes of adrenaline and found my heart was racing. You are constantly praying for the best but at times are expecting the worse. When a book does this, you know it's a great one. Moving on, I found the use of animals within the story to be exceptional. I'll admit I don't know much about how animals were used during World War Two apart from the basics so this was a really eye opener for me. Without these animals, the war may not have gone the way it did.
Pip, she was such a sweetheart! I adored her as a character from the moment she was introduced. I found myself caring for her..a lot and was constantly wishing nothing bad would happen to her. Her character development was next to none and it was a joy to see her discover how brave and courageous she really was. Her friendships with the other animals was just heartwarming to read about and she's certainly going to be a character that sticks in my mind for a long time. We all, at times, need to find our inner Pip and embrace it.
The only negative thing about The Umbrella Mouse was that it ended so abruptly that I didn't get many answers that I was hoping to find before the end. It also felt like the plot line changed halfway through. However, this may be because a sequel is the works. I'm hoping.
The Umbrella Mouse was a pleasure to read. It's a story all about finding your inner courage and doing what you think is right no matter what. A lot of children, I think, will come out of this book having been educated and entertained.
April 13, 2020
Anna Fargher’s debut book, The Umbrella Mouse, is simply beautiful. It is outstanding that such a brilliant book was written on an iPhone on her daily commute to work. Fargher’s writing is based on thorough research around the events of World War 2 and inspired by the true stories of the animals involved in the conflict. This through research and knowing that there is truth to what you are reading make the read all the more emotional and harrowing. Fargher’s wonderful writing is supported by charming illustrations by Sam Usher which just add another dimension to the book, bringing certain moments of the narrative to life. This is a cracking tale of finding hope and courage when all has been lost.
The Umbrella Mouse is not a book for sensitive souls. It is an emotional roller coaster and bad things happen, this is wartime after all. There were plenty of moments when I could feel the teardrops forming in my eyes, and I was struggling to read on as I didn’t want anything awful to happen. This is essential reading for children when studying World War 2. So often in schools the classics are revisited time and again - Good Night Mister Tom, The Diary of Anne Frank, Carrie’s War, When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit - and rightly so. However, The Umbrella Mouse focuses on a different aspect of war, the animals and their stories, and these stories need to be heard. The battles that they fought and how they were a weapon as equally as deadly as bombs and guns.
The year is 1944 and Pip’s world is shattered one evening when a bomb drops on her home and her life inside the umbrella is destroyed. But Pip is fierce and has a mission and is determined to see that mission through. She is willing to risk everything, including her precious umbrella, even if it will take her right into the path of the Nazis. With the help of Noah’s Ark she just might be able to survive.
Pip, the Umbrella Mouse, is a wonderful character. Despite her small stature she is feisty and fierce. Full of resilience and determination, this big-hearted little risk-taker can also be a little bit irresponsible at times (which made me love her even more). I loved the relationships between the various animals and how they mimic those of humans. The friendships, the lies, the love, the loss, the hope, the courage, the deceit.
I was an emotional mess after reading this, but as Bernard Booth says, “Above all, we must be brave.” Hopefully the tears dry up in time for the next Umbrella Mouse adventure.
The Umbrella Mouse is not a book for sensitive souls. It is an emotional roller coaster and bad things happen, this is wartime after all. There were plenty of moments when I could feel the teardrops forming in my eyes, and I was struggling to read on as I didn’t want anything awful to happen. This is essential reading for children when studying World War 2. So often in schools the classics are revisited time and again - Good Night Mister Tom, The Diary of Anne Frank, Carrie’s War, When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit - and rightly so. However, The Umbrella Mouse focuses on a different aspect of war, the animals and their stories, and these stories need to be heard. The battles that they fought and how they were a weapon as equally as deadly as bombs and guns.
The year is 1944 and Pip’s world is shattered one evening when a bomb drops on her home and her life inside the umbrella is destroyed. But Pip is fierce and has a mission and is determined to see that mission through. She is willing to risk everything, including her precious umbrella, even if it will take her right into the path of the Nazis. With the help of Noah’s Ark she just might be able to survive.
Pip, the Umbrella Mouse, is a wonderful character. Despite her small stature she is feisty and fierce. Full of resilience and determination, this big-hearted little risk-taker can also be a little bit irresponsible at times (which made me love her even more). I loved the relationships between the various animals and how they mimic those of humans. The friendships, the lies, the love, the loss, the hope, the courage, the deceit.
I was an emotional mess after reading this, but as Bernard Booth says, “Above all, we must be brave.” Hopefully the tears dry up in time for the next Umbrella Mouse adventure.
July 25, 2025
"If you were alone and if everything you knew had been taken away from you, wouldn't you try to find the last Souls that loved you?"
This book shouldn't have been as emotionally devastating as it was. But why did I have tears in my eyes for the majority of it?
First of all, Anna Fargher is an undeniably enchanting author.
She has a way with words, her descriptions and her dialogue are so engaging and filled to the brim with a form of whimsiness that a lot of books don't possess.
It feel's strange to call this story fun as it is in the throngs of world war 2, but I have no other descriptor than that. It is a fun book. This adventure is not through the eyes or a person, but through the eyes of a little mouse called Pip. Pip is a cute, but fierce mouse who shows enormous amounts of bravery throughout the book, both shown in big and small ways.
In the first chapter we watch her lose her home and her parents to the London Blitz. The chapter started off light-hearted and then is overshadowed by grief as this character loses everything. But she quickly fights her own grief and makes the decision to travel into enemy territory to reunite with her distant family. She doesn't do this because she forgets her grief, but because she knows that they would want her to be surrounded by people who love her. And she does manage to do that in this book, but not through finding her blood relatives, but through her found family (big shout out to Hans and the American Pigeon, GI Joe...my heroes, I won't forgive you for what you did to them.)
Unfortunately I do think I am the wrong age to enjoy this to its full potential. If I was younger and I could see it as a light hearted educational story about the war, then it would be 5 stars to the max. But as an older audience who knows the horrors that occurred and to read about these lovely characters being subjected to violence and entering a concentration camp, it just came across as very jarring and it threw me out of it a lot.
But other than that, what a spectacular tale!
This book shouldn't have been as emotionally devastating as it was. But why did I have tears in my eyes for the majority of it?
First of all, Anna Fargher is an undeniably enchanting author.
She has a way with words, her descriptions and her dialogue are so engaging and filled to the brim with a form of whimsiness that a lot of books don't possess.
It feel's strange to call this story fun as it is in the throngs of world war 2, but I have no other descriptor than that. It is a fun book. This adventure is not through the eyes or a person, but through the eyes of a little mouse called Pip. Pip is a cute, but fierce mouse who shows enormous amounts of bravery throughout the book, both shown in big and small ways.
In the first chapter we watch her lose her home and her parents to the London Blitz. The chapter started off light-hearted and then is overshadowed by grief as this character loses everything. But she quickly fights her own grief and makes the decision to travel into enemy territory to reunite with her distant family. She doesn't do this because she forgets her grief, but because she knows that they would want her to be surrounded by people who love her. And she does manage to do that in this book, but not through finding her blood relatives, but through her found family (big shout out to Hans and the American Pigeon, GI Joe...my heroes, I won't forgive you for what you did to them.)
Unfortunately I do think I am the wrong age to enjoy this to its full potential. If I was younger and I could see it as a light hearted educational story about the war, then it would be 5 stars to the max. But as an older audience who knows the horrors that occurred and to read about these lovely characters being subjected to violence and entering a concentration camp, it just came across as very jarring and it threw me out of it a lot.
But other than that, what a spectacular tale!
November 15, 2021
Great concept and started strongly but tailed off around halfway. Once they landed in France it just became increasingly bogged down. Got repetitive in the descriptions (please don’t tell me Leon has speckled wings any more I can’t take it), and the plot didn’t resolve in a particularly satisfying way, it very much ended halfway through the story. More the first in a series rather than being self contained. It was OK, but dragged on a bit - could have been a lot shorter. The sentences weren't easy to read out loud either, sometimes being quite long and meandering; "Spreading their enormous wings, the owls leaped from their lookout posts one by one, gliding silently through the air with their cruel beaks and talons malevolently glinting in the moonlight." It's quite a mouthful.
It made its point early and didn’t develop much further, feeling at times a blunt instrument, trying a bit too hard to convey to horrors of war. Also the best 2 characters were given the least airtime . Some parts I found a bit distasteful too; . My kid (8) enjoyed it but for me it never really clicked. A lot of the plot felt pretty contrived too .
Not as good a mousey adventure as Redwall, and not as good a kids war adventure as I am David, or The Silver Sword. So where does that leave it? Well, for all my critique, it's still a decent enough adventure story with plenty of action and emotion. It was fine, there's just better stuff out there covering similar ground.
It made its point early and didn’t develop much further, feeling at times a blunt instrument, trying a bit too hard to convey to horrors of war. Also the best 2 characters were given the least airtime . Some parts I found a bit distasteful too; . My kid (8) enjoyed it but for me it never really clicked. A lot of the plot felt pretty contrived too .
Not as good a mousey adventure as Redwall, and not as good a kids war adventure as I am David, or The Silver Sword. So where does that leave it? Well, for all my critique, it's still a decent enough adventure story with plenty of action and emotion. It was fine, there's just better stuff out there covering similar ground.
April 25, 2021
A book about a mouse will always catch our attention – luckily we spotted this wonderful prize-winning story! Not only is the main character a brave girl mouse but the story is packed with the courage, resistance and friendship, of a group of animals along with some amazing illustrations by Sam Usher..
The book is based on the true stories of animals involved in the conflict during WWII. I found out more about animals involved in conflicts after reading FLO OF THE SOMME, NOW OR NEVER: A DUNKIRK STORY and of course, WAR HORSE so I was interested to learn a bit more when I got a copy of this book.
It is set in London in 1944 where a young girl mouse called Pip Hanway lives with her parents. Her peaceful childhood is destroyed when the umbrella shop (James Smith & Sons) where her family live is destroyed by a German bomb. With her parents gone, she is an orphan and must find a way to get to her only living relatives and a safe new home..
This will involve a dangerous journey across Europe during the battles of WWII. Luckily Pip makes a new friend who introduces her to the secret organisation, Noah’s Ark. This is a gang of animals who fight with the resistance in France. The enemy are all around and this is an adventure that would scare humans but Pip is ready to do anything to achieve her goal and help her new friends along the way.
This is a carefully written story that really grabs your attention. The animal characters and their activities make you laugh and cry at times. This was a long read for me but definitely worth it! The next book in the series is also on my ‘future reads’ list.
The book is based on the true stories of animals involved in the conflict during WWII. I found out more about animals involved in conflicts after reading FLO OF THE SOMME, NOW OR NEVER: A DUNKIRK STORY and of course, WAR HORSE so I was interested to learn a bit more when I got a copy of this book.
It is set in London in 1944 where a young girl mouse called Pip Hanway lives with her parents. Her peaceful childhood is destroyed when the umbrella shop (James Smith & Sons) where her family live is destroyed by a German bomb. With her parents gone, she is an orphan and must find a way to get to her only living relatives and a safe new home..
This will involve a dangerous journey across Europe during the battles of WWII. Luckily Pip makes a new friend who introduces her to the secret organisation, Noah’s Ark. This is a gang of animals who fight with the resistance in France. The enemy are all around and this is an adventure that would scare humans but Pip is ready to do anything to achieve her goal and help her new friends along the way.
This is a carefully written story that really grabs your attention. The animal characters and their activities make you laugh and cry at times. This was a long read for me but definitely worth it! The next book in the series is also on my ‘future reads’ list.
July 1, 2020
This is a fantastic book that works well on many levels.
Firstly, it's a simply great adventure story, following the difficulties faced by the main character Pip during World War 2. She is forced out of her comfort zone, has to overcome many trials and meets great friends along the way.
Secondly, it contains a wealth of information about what life was like in WW2, from ordinary citizens' experiences with rationing and dealing with the aftermath of an air raid, to the perils faced by allied soldiers and the French Resistance when fighting in France, to the ingenious communication methods they used. This would be a great novel to be read in school for students to gain a greater knowledge about World War 2.
Thirdly, the use of anthropomorphism is excellent. Before reading, I wondered how realistic a novel about a mouse in WW2 could possibly be, but having now read this, I have no such concerns. The level of research done by the author is fantastic and whilst obviously some of the events didn't happen quite the way that they do in this novel, it still gives a great insight into what it might have been like to infiltrate an enemy camp or fly over enemy territory. Also, seeing the events from the perspectives of animals gives such a magical charm to the whole story - you quickly begin to care for each of our main characters and that ending...I need to know what happens next, because that can't be the way it ends!
This was an exciting, fast-paced and tear jerking read and I will eagerly be awaiting Anna Fargher's next book.
Firstly, it's a simply great adventure story, following the difficulties faced by the main character Pip during World War 2. She is forced out of her comfort zone, has to overcome many trials and meets great friends along the way.
Secondly, it contains a wealth of information about what life was like in WW2, from ordinary citizens' experiences with rationing and dealing with the aftermath of an air raid, to the perils faced by allied soldiers and the French Resistance when fighting in France, to the ingenious communication methods they used. This would be a great novel to be read in school for students to gain a greater knowledge about World War 2.
Thirdly, the use of anthropomorphism is excellent. Before reading, I wondered how realistic a novel about a mouse in WW2 could possibly be, but having now read this, I have no such concerns. The level of research done by the author is fantastic and whilst obviously some of the events didn't happen quite the way that they do in this novel, it still gives a great insight into what it might have been like to infiltrate an enemy camp or fly over enemy territory. Also, seeing the events from the perspectives of animals gives such a magical charm to the whole story - you quickly begin to care for each of our main characters and that ending...I need to know what happens next, because that can't be the way it ends!
This was an exciting, fast-paced and tear jerking read and I will eagerly be awaiting Anna Fargher's next book.
July 2, 2019
A compelling wartime story with a difference, The Umbrella Mouse is simply delicious. Packed full of action with a brilliant cast of characters, it tells a story that is at once exciting and charming, warm-hearted and riveting. Through the voice of Pip Hanway, a young mouse witnessing the war first hand, the reader has full access to the thoughts and range of emotion of a child caught in this horrific situation. In spite of her youth and her very small size, she shows a bravery and determination that leaves the reader cheering her on and gasping at her antics. With the humans staying firmly in the background, the entire story is carefully crafted around the animals and their actions. Each character embodies a different aspect of human kind; generous, kind, evil, practical. And all combine in a tale that is perfect for young readers to truly understand the horrors of this piece of history. The crafting of the story is superb; the writing is well-paced and beautifully conceived. A phenomenal piece of world-building pulls the reader into this place and time. Sam Ushers' illustrations add the perfect touch to complement the book, as he always does. (I do need to mention the lovely little tribute paid to Judith Kerr in the very beginning, as she appears as a customer in the umbrella shop. She would love it!) All in all, a wondrous bit of story-telling that I highly recommend to all; adventurous, heroic, totally exceptional; a story of courage and hope.
June 21, 2022
THE UMBRELLA MOUSE is just so cute. This is WW2 spies and espionage, but played out with animals who are waging their own war while the humans wage their own. You have bridge sabotage, secret messages, and double agents all with a little baby mouse protagonist.
It's a really fun take on WW2 spies, showing the sacrifices and bravery of men and women and animals, referencing real animals used in operations. (Just the animals obviously didn't have their own spy and resistance league!)
Having animal protagonists allows the book to show the horrors without being as graphic or feeling as grim, because there is that fantasy element of it being animals. There is death and torture (off screen, but the scaring etc is shown) all the way through, but as it's animals there is that level of remove, so I think it's a really great way of introducing the cost to little children.
There's plenty of action, with secret missions, escapes, and crossing the channel in an umbrella (that umbrella is pretty indestructible!) By using animals, you can have action sequences across a variety of locations, from aerial pigeon/falcon fights to ground level - and even sewers. It's a very imaginative way of getting different forms of warfare in, and getting a mouse in those situation. No naval battles in this book though - perhaps in the next?
It's a really fun take on WW2 spies, showing the sacrifices and bravery of men and women and animals, referencing real animals used in operations. (Just the animals obviously didn't have their own spy and resistance league!)
Having animal protagonists allows the book to show the horrors without being as graphic or feeling as grim, because there is that fantasy element of it being animals. There is death and torture (off screen, but the scaring etc is shown) all the way through, but as it's animals there is that level of remove, so I think it's a really great way of introducing the cost to little children.
There's plenty of action, with secret missions, escapes, and crossing the channel in an umbrella (that umbrella is pretty indestructible!) By using animals, you can have action sequences across a variety of locations, from aerial pigeon/falcon fights to ground level - and even sewers. It's a very imaginative way of getting different forms of warfare in, and getting a mouse in those situation. No naval battles in this book though - perhaps in the next?
August 30, 2023
I actually liked this book much better after I read the Author's Notes. I wish I had read them first, even though they're at the end of the book. The issues I had when I read were a) that my suspension of disbelief was stretched rather thin and b) that the content seemed a bit dark and grim for the audience the book is aimed at. I usually have no problem with anthropomorphism. Charlotte's Web and Rabbit Hill are two of my all-time favorite children's books. But the animals using Morse code, taking sides in WWII, trading in an underground black market all kind of made me raise my eyebrows a bit. And the book starts with a London blitz bombing and the deaths of Pip's parents and the humans they are familiar with. Several times it seemed to me like it would be too scary for kids to read (*I* was scared for Dickin in the tunnel, Pip and Hans flying over the English Channel, those trapped in the human concentration camp). I did, however, grow very fond of some of the secondary characters. I wish there had been more of Dickin, for one. And then I read the Author's Notes about how little children know about the World Wars, and the human counterparts to the animal characters, and the reality of the Umbrella Museum in Italy, and all my misgivings went away. I look forward to reading the follow-up book next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2025
If I hadn’t listened to this with my pretty well read (and talented writer) teenagers, I would have enjoyed this more. Sweet and fun tale, brings WW2 to young kids’ level, especially courageous tales of resistance.
My older kids had some complaints about some underdeveloped anthropomorphic elements (the word “cooed” was a bit overused.)
The younger kids (ages 6-10) really enjoyed it as it presented a clever, exciting story with some well described scenes. I appreciate that you could visualize much of the action. I can imagine this making a captivating movie.
My biggest complaint (and has me tottering on a 3 star review) is the amount of cursing in a story that is already fantastical, and therefore didn’t need to be made more realistic by using cursing. I am not a hater on using language appropriate to the setting of a story, but as this was aimed at a young audience, and the chosen words were used more casually and not to add the harshness of war. These things can be easily depicted without the persistence use of “h***” and “d***”. 1-2 words strategically placed for carefully considered intensity is forgivable. 6-7 is excessive in any book aimed at young kids… especially when the language is coming casually out of animals who are the good guys.
I bumped up to 4 stars realizing it was a first book. All things considered, fun story with good purpose.
My older kids had some complaints about some underdeveloped anthropomorphic elements (the word “cooed” was a bit overused.)
The younger kids (ages 6-10) really enjoyed it as it presented a clever, exciting story with some well described scenes. I appreciate that you could visualize much of the action. I can imagine this making a captivating movie.
My biggest complaint (and has me tottering on a 3 star review) is the amount of cursing in a story that is already fantastical, and therefore didn’t need to be made more realistic by using cursing. I am not a hater on using language appropriate to the setting of a story, but as this was aimed at a young audience, and the chosen words were used more casually and not to add the harshness of war. These things can be easily depicted without the persistence use of “h***” and “d***”. 1-2 words strategically placed for carefully considered intensity is forgivable. 6-7 is excessive in any book aimed at young kids… especially when the language is coming casually out of animals who are the good guys.
I bumped up to 4 stars realizing it was a first book. All things considered, fun story with good purpose.
May 17, 2019
The Umbrella Mouse an exciting espionage thriller set towards the end of the Second World War, after D Day and during the Blitz. It is a story about a young girl who is orphaned and left homeless and alone after her home and family are destroyed by a German bomb. But she has one destination in mind, somewhere her parents told her about where she has family and could find a new home. Trying to get there across war-torn Europe, she joins a resistance cell working in occupied France and helps them to fight back against the Nazis behind enemy lines, sabotaging supply lines and planning daring escapes.
It is packed full of exciting wartime drama, serious peril and a fantastic crew of resistance fighters both in occupied France and back in London. There are creepy villains, sneaky spies and brave heroes. It's everything you would want from a children's book based in this period.
The fact that the girl is a mouse and the resistance is led by a hedgehog, with an array of different birds and beasts just adds another magical layer to a brilliant MG novel, with so much heart and emotion in it.
The animal characters work well though, and each has a unique set of talents and abilities that are used very effectively in the story telling. It also lightens what would otherwise be quite a heavy story.
The illustrations by Sam Usher are quite charming and really fit the feel of the story.
It is packed full of exciting wartime drama, serious peril and a fantastic crew of resistance fighters both in occupied France and back in London. There are creepy villains, sneaky spies and brave heroes. It's everything you would want from a children's book based in this period.
The fact that the girl is a mouse and the resistance is led by a hedgehog, with an array of different birds and beasts just adds another magical layer to a brilliant MG novel, with so much heart and emotion in it.
The animal characters work well though, and each has a unique set of talents and abilities that are used very effectively in the story telling. It also lightens what would otherwise be quite a heavy story.
The illustrations by Sam Usher are quite charming and really fit the feel of the story.
May 31, 2019
Another great children's book tackling the importance of courage, loyalty and kindness as well as being a stark reminder of what people went through and the lengths they were willing to go to to earn us the freedom we enjoy today. The author has definitely done her research, she was inspired by a lady who was the leader of a group fighting German occupation in France who earned the name Noahs Ark due to her assigning her members animal codenames, two actually become animal characters in the book. Her clever use of animals such as rescue dogs and carrier pigeons who did help in the war helps us see the huge collective effort that was made. By using the animals as the main characters working alongside humans the author manages to highlight the tragedy of war but makes it suitable for a young audience.
As much as an education, this is a fantastic adventure with twists and turns galore. I loved delving into Pip's world and watching her grow as a result of her experiences. Sam Ushers illustrations helped the story come alive even more, they were fantastic. Highly recommended and I hope, as I always say, that adults will read it too as sometimes we need reminding of what is important.
As much as an education, this is a fantastic adventure with twists and turns galore. I loved delving into Pip's world and watching her grow as a result of her experiences. Sam Ushers illustrations helped the story come alive even more, they were fantastic. Highly recommended and I hope, as I always say, that adults will read it too as sometimes we need reminding of what is important.
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