Martin's Mice

From Publishers Weekly
Martin is a farm kitten who likes micebut not for dinner. Martin likes mice as pets. He catches a pregnant female, Drusilla, and keeps her in a discarded bathtub. As Martin grows up he learns about friendship, loyalty and responsibility; he is shattered when Drusilla escapes at the first opportunity. But not until he, too, is taken from his outdoor life and imprisoned as a pet in a luxurious apartment does Martin perceive the true meaning of freedom. King-Smith adds another winner to his distinguished body of work. The creatures that inhabit his rural universe, intent on their day-to-day lives (but occasionally aspiring to greatness), are sharply and believably characterized; the story is fast-paced and gripping. Illustrations not seen by PW. Ages 8-11. Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 2-5 King-Smith has written another engaging animal fantasy with plenty of humorous insight into the human condition. Martin, a kitten, is branded "wimp" by his siblings and "stupid" by other farm animals for his friendly interest in mice. When he captures the pregnant mouse Drusilla, he makes her and her eventual brood his pets. He loves caring for them and can't understand their desire for freedom. Only when he becomes the pet of a big city apartment dweller does he realize why his pets deserted him. Martin bravely jumps to freedom, and a fox helps him find his way back home, where he is content to be just a friend to mice. King-Smith's story has humor and a fast pace which will appeal to younger readers. Characterization is deftly conveyed for the various farm animals. Pug, Martin's father, is a standout as a ratcatcher with respect for his son's friends. When down-trodden Martin finally stands up for his rights, readers will cheer and also absorb the gentle lessons of being different, owning others, and self-respect. The slight British tone of this lively read-aloud should not detract from the enjoyment of this possible follow-up for those who loved Charlotte's Web.Anne Connor, Los Angeles Public LibraryCopyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Book Description
"Martin, a kitten, is branded a `wimp' by his siblings for his friendly

interest in mice. He loves caring for them and can't understand their desire

for freedom. Only when he becomes the pet of a big city apartment dweller does

he realize why his pets deserted him. An engaging animal fantasy with plenty

of humorous insight into the human condition, King-Smith's story has humor and

a fast pace which will appeal to younger readers."--School Library

Journal (starred review)






Card catalog description
A farm cat who doesn't want to catch mice keeps a family of them as pets in the barn; but then he is given away to a townswoman and acquires a new perspective.

From the Inside Flap
"Martin, a kitten, is branded a `wimp' by his siblings for his friendly interest in mice.  He loves caring for them and can't understand their desire for freedom.  Only when he becomes the pet of a big city apartment dweller does he realize why his pets deserted him.  An engaging animal fantasy with plenty of humorous insight into the human condition, King-Smith's story has humor and a fast pace which will appeal to younger readers."--School Library Journal (starred review)  

About the Author
Dick King-Smith was born and raised in Gloucestershire, England, surrounded by pet animals.  After twenty years as a farmer, he turned to teaching and then to writing children's books.  Dick writes mostly about animals: farmyard fantasy, as he likes to call it, often about pigs, his special favorites.  He enjoys writing for children, meeting the children who read his books, and knowing that they get enjoyment from what he does.  Among his well-loved books is Babe, The Gallant Pig , which was recently made into a major motion picture, and was nominated for an Academy Award.  

Dick currently lives with his wife in a small 17th-century cottage, about three miles from the house where he was born.  


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Gr 2-5 King-Smith has written another engaging animal fantasy with plenty of humorous insight into the human condition. Martin, a kitten, is branded ``wimp'' by his siblings and ``stupid'' by other farm animals for his friendly interest in mice. When he captures the pregnant mouse Drusilla, he makes her and her eventual brood his pets. He loves caring for them and can't understand their desire for freedom. Only when he becomes the pet of a big city apartment dweller does he realize why his pets deserted him. Martin bravely jumps to freedom, and a fox helps him find his way back home, where he is content to be just a friend to mice. King-Smith's story has humor and a fast pace which will appeal to younger readers. Characterization is deftly conveyed for the various farm animals. Pug, Martin's father, is a standout as a ratcatcher with respect for his son's friends. When down-trodden Martin finally stands up for his rights, readers will cheer and also absorb the gentle lessons of being different, owning others, and self-respect. The slight British tone of this lively read-aloud should not detract from the enjoyment of this possible follow-up for those who loved Charlotte's Web.Anne Connor, Los Angeles Public Library


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