#14 in Geronimo Stilton Series
Cat and Mouse in a Haunted House
on Goodreads (9,264)
What’s inside...
Geronimo Stilton, a talking mouse, finds himself lost in a gloomy castle on a dark and rainy night. He quickly realizes that the castle is haunted by cats! Geronimo must muster all his courage to explore the castle and find his way out.
Character compass
Discussion points
What do you think Cat and Mouse felt when they realized the house was haunted? How would you feel in a similar situation?
How did Cat and Mouse work together to navigate the haunted house? What does this teach us about teamwork and bravery?
What were some of the spookiest parts of the haunted house? What made those moments scary, and how did the characters react?
If you could add another character to the story, who would it be and why? How would they help Cat and Mouse?
Can you think of a different ending for the story? How would you change it to make it more adventurous or less scary?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage imagination by asking your child to draw their favorite scene or a new character for the story.
After reading the book, watch videos or read articles about real-life haunted houses with your child to compare and contrast with the book's version.
Discuss the importance of facing fears and how the characters in the book handle their own fears. Relate these scenarios to real-life situations your child might encounter.
Use expressive reading techniques like changing your voice for different characters and creating suspenseful pauses to make the reading experience more engaging.
Talk about the teamwork displayed by Cat and Mouse and connect it to instances where working together helped solve a problem in your child’s life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in the face of fear
Explanation: Geronimo Stilton, despite being scared, explores the haunted house to uncover its mysteries.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to face their fears and demonstrates that courage isn't the absence of fear but the ability to act despite being afraid.
Example Lesson: Importance of curiosity and investigation
Explanation: Through his adventures, Geronimo discovers that things are not always as they seem, promoting an inquisitive attitude.
Real-World Application: Motivates children to ask questions and delve deeper into understanding situations rather than accepting things at face value.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and reliance on friends
Explanation: Geronimo often relies on the help of his friends to navigate challenges in the haunted house.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the value of working collectively and supports the idea that seeking help and collaborating can lead to better outcomes.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: Throughout the book, Geronimo faces various puzzles and mysteries that he needs to solve to progress.
Real-World Application: Enhances children’s cognitive skills by encouraging them to think critically and solve problems they encounter in everyday life.