Who Moved My Cheese? For Kids: An A-Mazing Way to Change and Win!

Who Moved My Cheese?

by Spencer Johnson, Christian Johnson, Steve Pileggi (Illustrator)

Spencer Johnson's Who Moved My Cheese? is a bestselling book that has helped millions of people around the world adapt and succeed in changing times. Now Dr. Johnson has adapted his story for the picture book audience so that, starting from the earliest age, children can view change as a positive thing that can lead to new opportunity. Young readers will enjoy following the story of the four little characters, Sniff, Scurry, Hem and Haw, who make their way through a maze looking for the "Magical Cheese" that makes them happy. And once they find the Cheese, it seems like it will last forever-until one morning when everything changes. Who moved their Cheese? Will it come back? Or will they have to look for different Cheese, venturing onto strange paths, around corners they've never explored? As children follow these friends through the maze of change, they can try to figure out which character they're most like-or which they most admire-and what their own Magical Cheese might be.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Self Help, Personal Development, Business

64 pages, Hardcover

First published May 12, 2003

About the author

Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Patrick Spencer Johnson was an American writer. He was known for the ValueTales series of children's books, and for his 1998 self-help book Who Moved My Cheese?, which recurred on the New York Times Bestseller list, on the Publishers Weekly Hardcover nonfiction list. Johnson was the chairman of Spencer Johnson Partners.

Reviews

[Tristan]

I loved this when I was little (say eight), but everyone else in my family detested it; Dad, in particular, found it patronizing and preachy--which, in retrospect, it is. I think it is a good idea, executed in a reasonable way, but not really a read that is "enjoyable" for the average person. I also don't know why I read it over and over--I had experienced no major upheavals is my life. Sometimes the mind works in odd ways; maybe this is the book that, years later, allowed me to recognize (intellectually if not practically) that I can't always run everything and that that is okay. Who knows?

[Bree · Rating 1 out of 5]

Notes::
I hate the fact that kids need motivational books at all.
I thought it was a book about mazes. It's not.

[Cecilia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the adult version and found this for kids at the library. I enjoyed reading it to my kids and the conversation we had during the reading and after.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great children’s book about choosing to change fears, which can lead to something better.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice book for kids

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book that has been adapted for a young audience. The book is about how to deal with the changes that we face throughout our lives. Change can be challenging to deal with at any age, and this book is designed give children (young and old) tools for coping with challenging life changes. The story features 4 mice who live in a maze and are chasing cheese, when the cheese is moved to a new location in the maze, the mice have to decide how they are going to deal with those changes to find new cheese. The illustrations are colorful, bright and cheerful. The mice look more human-like than mouse-like, but I think that will help children connect with the story. This book could be used with any age group, though with older children (late teens) you could use the original book writing for adults. This book is definitely designed to teach a lesson.

[Whole And · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the version for adults and now a gem of book for children.

I wasn't sure how my 4 year would receive this but surprisingly, the various complex concept were easily grasped through Johnson's writing.

Concepts such as taking responsibility rather than blaming or getting angry when things don't go the way we expect, reacting verses responding, moving on to the next 'magical cheese' even if it scares us, staying in touch with what our 'magical cheese' is, being optimistic about what's coming next by creating a positive attitude towards how great the next cheese will be.

The book can stir several rich discussions, on a variety of situations with children.

Highly recommend this a source to refer to often.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have either read this book or seen a little movie it (is there even one of those?) because it seemed really familiar. I like the concept for the most part, though I think the concept may be a little high for young children. Overall I think it teaches a good concept, because I think a lot of us continue to do the same thing and expect different (or previous) results, when things have changed (isn't that the definition of insanity; yep! I'm definitely insane by that standard.) The book was long, so we read it in two sessions with my 3 year old son.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who Moved My Cheese Illustrates the importance of change and the rewards that come with it.
As an adult, I find change to be challenging; difficult to overcome. This children's book resonates deeply within me; it illuminates the fear and insecurity that I have sheltered in my spirit. I acknowledge, grudgingly, and most times, reluctantly a yield to change when there is no other option available. After reading this book, I am hopeful that as an adult I can now more readily relinquish negative behavior that inhibits my growth and grasp the positive attitude that change will allow.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book does have a good lesson. However, it's a bit preachy, and most kids do not appreciate that in their books. I also wasn't happy with the way that the mice where characterized. The athletic, quick mice were the "good" ones who were able to adapt and find new cheese. The bookish mice, who dreamed of getting good grades, were the stubborn ones who were unable to handle change well. It might be subtle, but we really don't need to be telling kids that enjoying books and education won't get you far in life.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dealing w/ change can be hard for me. I like things to stay just the way they are and not ruffle my feathers or get out of my comfort zone. But, change is good and often leads to even better things! I read this to my son (the simplified, child's version of the regular book) and we both liked it. My husband really liked the regular version, but I thought this book got the point across just fine. I have no desire to read the more in-depth book on dealing with and accepting change.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent resource for helping children cope with change and understand the manifestations of remaining stuck. change is hard for most of us grown ups (or maybe just me), and we often mistake enthusiasm for resilience in children. this gets everyone talking about life transitions, whether we have control over them or not.

[Reepacheep · Rating 3 out of 5]

See my review on Who Moved My Cheese. The concepts taught are basically identical, except this book tells the story with a more efficient use of words to make the point and has prettier pictures.

[Beneth]

Hey, I still like pictures. This should prove better than the adult version. I'm a visually oriented person, really. Oh yea, and I even have an excuse, a bright 4 year old who I am taking through some major changes with me. .

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book. I liked it a lot and I had a good meaning. It'll take you probably a day to read. Some people could take a little message from this book, but to other this could really be life changing. :-) U Decide

[KayDee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend the childrens book over the adult! A great book to help you through changes. My wonderful sister-in-law, Meagan gave us this book as we were moving away from family. It has helped all 3 of us, including little Lisa to not be afraid of changes. This is going to be a family favorite.

[Johana Salazar · Rating 3 out of 5]

The characters are looking for the magic cheese. Some will keep looking after the first cheese is gone, some will wait for more cheese to come, and some will giving up fear in order to get the new final price.

[Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weirdly psychological or a children's book. 2 mice and 2.....tiny colored humans? work their way through a maze everyday, but when the recent supply of cheese runs out they all handle the situation differently.

[Mica · Rating 5 out of 5]

ok , this may be a picture book, but i really like it. its bout change and how change is good and how to do it!!

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it and loved the message!

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book designed to help kids who have trouble with change and attitude. It could be helpful for the some kids to help give them a broader perspective.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

great books for kids and adults. A picture book version of the adult book.

[Christie Wilkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book for kids and adults about finding your way when things change

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was COOL!!! I am like Haw.

[Alberto De Feo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for the kids (...and adults too)

[kiki Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to use in an economics discussion or unit.

[Ririn · Rating 5 out of 5]

i can understand this better because the 'for kids' factor lol.
just like being slapped.
O_o

[Dave Maughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

every parent should read this book with their child. you will be amazed at the discussions that you will have!

[Manecita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muy entretenido

[Sansan Gilbreath · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't see this as a book about being adaptable to change but as being in a maze with someone else controlling your life