Read It Yourself Level 2 Town Mouse Country Mouse
Read It Yourself Series
What’s inside...
Town Mouse and Country Mouse is a classic fairy tale that explores the contrasting lives of a town mouse and a country mouse. This Level Two title is designed for beginner readers who can read short simple sentences with help. When the two mice visit each other, they find everything about each other's lives very strange, highlighting the differences between urban and rural lifestyles. The book is part of the 'Read it yourself with Ladybird' series, which has been helping young children develop reading skills for over thirty five years. The series includes books with carefully written content to include key high-frequency words and a limited number of story words, all aimed at building the confidence of beginner readers. Each book is also checked by educational consultants and can be used independently at home or in guided reading sessions at school.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What differences did you notice between the town mouse's life and the country mouse's life?
How do you think each mouse felt about their own home after visiting the other's place?
Why do you think the town mouse and the country mouse decided to go back to their own homes in the end?
If you were a mouse, would you prefer to live in the town or the country? Why?
What does this story teach us about being happy with what we have?
Tip: Role play these questions
Ask your child to describe both the town and the country as depicted in the book, encouraging them to use their imagination to paint a vivid picture.
Discuss the notion of 'home' with your child. Ask them what makes their home special and compare it with the homes of the town and country mouse.
Encourage your child to talk about their feelings regarding different environments: busy and noisy versus quiet and calm. Relate these to places they are familiar with.
After reading, prompt your child to think about the moral of the story and what it might mean in their own life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Appreciating differences
Explanation: The story of 'Town Mouse and Country Mouse' illustrates how the two mice live in contrasting environments and have different lifestyles. Each mouse finds it hard to live in the other's habitat, showing how distinct their lives are.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate and respect differences in others' lives and backgrounds, understanding that everyone's experiences shape their preferences and comfort zones.
Example Lesson: Adaptability
Explanation: As the mice visit each other's homes, they encounter situations that are unfamiliar and uncomfortable for them. Their attempts to adapt to these new circumstances help convey the importance of being flexible.
Real-World Application: This book encourages children to embrace change and be open to new experiences, showing them that being adaptable is a valuable skill in overcoming challenges in various situations.
Example Lesson: Contentment
Explanation: Through the experiences of the town mouse and the country mouse, the story conveys that happiness doesn't necessarily come from having more, but from being content with what one has.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of contentment and being grateful for their own environment and belongings, rather than always seeking more or comparing themselves to others.
Example Lesson: Understanding risk and safety
Explanation: In the story, the town mouse's home offers plenty of food but comes with the risk of being caught by humans or pets. It teaches about evaluating risks and the importance of safety.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to assess risks in different aspects of their life, such as when playing or exploring new places, and understand the importance of safety in unfamiliar environments.
Example Lesson: The joy of sharing experiences
Explanation: The mice's act of visiting each other's homes and sharing their ways of life highlights the joy and learning that comes from sharing experiences with others.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to share their own experiences and learn from others, fostering a sense of community and mutual understanding.