The Bookshop Mice
on Goodreads (15)
What’s inside...
The Bookshop Mice is a delightful story about a group of mice living in a quaint old bookshop. The narrative follows their escapades as they delve into literature, form friendships, and work together to save their home from closure. In a parallel story, Astrid, a bookshop mouse, shares tales of her astromouse mom and adventurous dad with her new classmates. Skeptical at first, they soon discover the magic of The Book Nook and the incredible journeys books can inspire.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-9
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the mice in the bookshop do after the store closes?
How do you feel when you see the mice helping each other in the story?
Can you imagine a new adventure the bookshop mice could go on?
What are some ways the mice show their love for books?
Why do you think the author chose mice as the main characters in the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book by asking open-ended questions.
Listen attentively to your child’s responses, showing interest and asking follow-up questions to deepen the conversation.
Relate themes from the book to your child's own experiences, such as teamwork or a love for reading, to make the discussion more relatable.
Use expressive reading techniques, like different voices for each mouse, to make the story come alive and engage your child more deeply.
After the discussion, consider visiting a local bookshop to explore where real-life bookshop mice might live!
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Teamwork
Explanation: In 'The Bookshop Mice,' the mice characters collaborate to solve problems and run the bookshop smoothly, demonstrating the power of working together.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities at school or working together with siblings at home to complete tasks.
Example Lesson: Value of Perseverance
Explanation: Throughout the story, the mice encounter several challenges but persistently find solutions, teaching that perseverance leads to success.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to not give up easily on their homework, projects, or when learning new skills, even when it feels difficult.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Problem Solving
Explanation: The mice use their creativity to organize and manage the bookshop, showing how creative thinking can solve real-life problems efficiently.
Real-World Application: Children learn to think creatively when faced with challenges, be it in their playtime scenarios or in practical school assignments.
Example Lesson: Joy of Reading
Explanation: The bookshop setting and the mice’s interaction with books underline the enjoyment and adventures that reading offers.
Real-World Application: This lesson can inspire children to explore more books and develop a reading habit that enhances their imagination and knowledge.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The mice take on specific roles to maintain the bookshop, teaching the importance of responsibility in a community.
Real-World Application: Kids can be encouraged to take on small responsibilities at home like tidying up their room or helping in family chores, fostering a sense of duty and teamwork.