The 6 Best Children’s Books About Mice (Including a Classic!)

Written by Angie Menjivar
Updated: April 19, 2023
© Pakhnyushchy/Shutterstock.com

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In many homes, mice are considered pests while in other homes, the domesticated house mouse is intentionally kept as a pet. These tiny creatures are known for their elusive nature, voracious appetites, and their ability to reproduce at lightning speed. They’re surprisingly intelligent and groom throughout the day to keep themselves clean. There’s plenty of information for kiddos to discover about mice, whether it’s just out of curiosity or you’re considering bringing a mouse home as a pet.

We put together a list of the six best children’s books about mice below. The first is a cute fictional narrative about two mice who become unlikely friends. It’s a story that teaches kids about the importance of friendship and family values. The second is a non-fiction title that highlights different facts about mice and includes lots of full-color photos. We include a title for early readers, and that encourages children to celebrate their uniqueness. Among the rest is a classic tale that you’ll likely recognize from your own childhood.

  1. Elvin and Brayden, Friends Forever: A Children's Book about Friendship and Trust
    • Book that teaches children about kindness, family values, and the meaning of true friendship
    • Contains adorable illustrations and rhyming text which are fun for toddlers and elementary school kids to follow
    • Customers rate this book 4.6 out of five stars
    Check Amazon
  2. Facts About the Mouse (A Picture Book For Kids)
    • Contains a variety of different facts along with some full-color photographs to teach children about mice
    • A few coloring pages for your kiddo to enjoy
    • Customers rate this book 4.2 out of five stars
    Check Amazon
  3. The Tent Mouse and The RV Mouse
    • Wonderful children’s book about mice to appeal to children who love the outdoors
    • Storyline is easy to follow and accompanied by beautiful illustrations
    • Customers rate this book 4.6 out of five stars
    Check Amazon
  4. The Mouse and the Motorcycle (Ralph Mouse Book 1)
    • Classic children's novel about Ralph the mouse and his motorcycle
    • Great for independent reading if your child is old enough
    • Customers rate this book 4.8 out of five stars
    Check Amazon
  5. Sugar and Spice and Everything Mice (Volume 2) (Mice Skating)
    • Endearing story about a mouse that teaches that everyone needs help sometimes
    • Cozy, adorable, and pun-filled writing
    • Customers rate this book 4.9 out of five stars
    Check Amazon
  6. The SECRET of the GNOMES: Gnome Secrets for Living a Happy Life
    • Beautifully illustrated
    • Great book to read along with your children to help them ponder life-affirming concepts
    • Customers rate this book 4.5 out of five stars
    Check Amazon

A-Z-Animals’ Top Picks for the Best Books About Mice for Children

#1 Best Overall: Elvin and Brayden, Friends Forever: A Children’s Book about Friendship and Trust by Sandra Morrison 

The best overall children’s book about mice is Elvin and Brayden, Friends Forever by Sandra Morrison. This title is available in hardcover, audio, and Kindle formats. It’s a really cute story that imparts an important message for children between ages three and seven. This is a book that teaches children about kindness, family values, and the meaning of true friendship. It’s no secret that you must have social skills for successful relationships to flourish. You should also be capable of tolerance, trust, and reciprocation. This book takes those rather complex adult topics and simplifies them for children to understand that they can accept diversity, gain confidence in their friendships, and learn to help and share.

The story is about two mice. One is a homeless mouse and the other one is lost. Both of them are in dire need of friendship and a sense of family. The book contains adorable illustrations and rhyming text which are fun for toddlers and elementary school kids to follow. As your kids get more and more socialized, they encounter lots of other different children. This book helps them understand the importance of helping others in need, sharing, and accepting differences. It also teaches the importance of family. Although many children’s books teach about friendship, this one is unique in that it blends family values and friendship to relay a deeper meaning.

Customers rate this book 4.6 out of five stars. They appreciate that it’s educational and emotive. The author writes adorably, and one customer says she enjoyed the message in this book. She feels the author did a fantastic job sharing the message that it’s important to open your heart, trust, and let love in. She also appreciates that the book teaches children that people come and go in your life. It’s a normal process and it’s okay. Overall, this book is a hit with little ones. They enjoy the illustrations and the storyline. For many, it’s become a sweet bedtime story.

A sole reviewer reported that they didn’t like the book.

Pros and Cons of Elvin and Brayden, Friends Forever: A Children’s Book about Friendship and Trust by Sandra Morrison 

ProsCons
This book is available in hardcover, audio, and Kindle formats.A sole reviewer reported that they didn’t like the book.
It’s geared toward kids between three and seven and teaches them about kindness, family values, and true friendship.
The tale is about two mice, one of which is homeless and the other is lost; both need a friend.
It has a 4.6/5 rating on Amazon and readers appreciate its message, the storyline, and the illustrations.
Best Overall
Elvin and Brayden, Friends Forever: A Children's Book about Friendship and Trust
  • Book that teaches children about kindness, family values, and the meaning of true friendship
  • Contains adorable illustrations and rhyming text which are fun for toddlers and elementary school kids to follow
  • Customers rate this book 4.6 out of five stars
Check Amazon

2. Facts About the Mouse by Lisa Strattin

This next book is educational but in a different way. It contains a variety of different facts along with some full-color photographs to teach children about mice. The author carefully chooses the words to keep it simple yet intriguing enough for children who are at least five years old. This book also includes a fun bonus. In the paperback version, there are a few coloring pages for your kiddo to enjoy. If that’s not of particular interest to you, you can always pick up the Kindle version so your child can enjoy it on a tablet or iPad.

Customers rate this book 4.2 out of five stars. They appreciate that the author writes in a straightforward way and includes tons of full-color photos to keep the attention of young readers. The author is Lisa Strattin, who feels that there are plenty of other books for you to explore that incorporate fiction and fantasy. Her aim is to teach children about the world we live in and give them a good sense of everything that exists around them.

Pros and Cons of Facts About the Mouse by Lisa Strattin

ProsCons
This book is intended for kids that are at least five years old.None
The paperback version includes a few coloring pages.
It’s also available in Kindle format.
This title teaches kids about mice and includes lots of full-color photos to keep kids’ attention.
It has a 4.2 rating.
Best Educational
Facts About the Mouse (A Picture Book For Kids)
  • Contains a variety of different facts along with some full-color photographs to teach children about mice
  • A few coloring pages for your kiddo to enjoy
  • Customers rate this book 4.2 out of five stars
Check Amazon

3. The Tent Mouse and The RV Mouse by Loretta Sponsler (Author), Kathrine Gutkovskiy  (Illustrator)

This book is a fun twist on Aesop‘s fable, The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse. Thomas is the tent mouse who loves going out to camp in his tent. It’s a peaceful experience for him where he gets to feel a wonderful connection to nature. He has a cousin named Harvey who is an RV mouse and loves to camp as well. The only difference is he likes to be inside his RV where he feels the safest. These cousins are both outdoor enthusiasts and ready to take on different adventures. The story teaches children that it’s all right if they have different interests than their friends and family members. It encourages them to celebrate their individuality.

This is a wonderful children’s book about mice that children who have a love for the outdoors can enjoy. The storyline is easy to follow, and it’s accompanied by beautiful illustrations. The characters are likable, and the underlying message is important. It’s ideal for kids between three and six years old. Teachers love this book when they have camping-themed lesson plans. You can encourage a compare-and-contrast discussion after reading this book with your kids. Ask them how Thomas is different from Harvey and how Harvey is different from Thomas. You can also have them search for similarities between the two mice by asking what they share in common.

Customers rate this book, which is available in Kindle, hardcover picture book, and illustrated paperback, 4.6 out of five stars. One customer says that his family enjoyed this story. The drawings are cute, and it was fun to see how some of his kids related more to the RV mouse while others related more to the tent mouse. Another customer calls this a timely lesson. He appreciates that it incorporates an underlying lesson for kids. He comments that during a time of such polarization, this book delivers a common sense lesson on respecting one another’s perspectives. It celebrates normal civility which children can take with them as they grow older.

A few reviewers said that had difficulty reading the Kindle version of this book.

Pros and Cons of The Tent Mouse and The RV Mouse by Loretta Sponsler (Author), Kathrine Gutkovskiy  (Illustrator)

ProsCons
This is a modern twist on Aesop’s fable the Town Mouse and the Country Mouse.A few reviewers said that had difficulty reading the Kindle version of this book.
The book teaches kids it’s ok if they have different interests than their friends and family and that they should celebrate their individuality.
The storyline is easy to follow for kids three to six years old and it has beautiful illustrations.
This book is available in Kindle, hardcover picture book, and illustrated paperback.
It has a 4.6/5 rating.
Best for Early Readers
The Tent Mouse and The RV Mouse
  • Wonderful children’s book about mice to appeal to children who love the outdoors
  • Storyline is easy to follow and accompanied by beautiful illustrations
  • Customers rate this book 4.6 out of five stars
Check Amazon

4. The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary (Author), Tracy Dockray (Illustrator) 

We couldn’t leave out this classic. You probably recognize the title of the author, Beverly Cleary, at least. This title is available in hardcover, audio, and Kindle formats. It follows Ralph, the ever-curious mouse. Ralph is immediately thrown into an adventure when he spots a boy with his shiny toy motorcycle at Mountain View Inn. As soon as Ralph spots it, he knows he’s going to ride it. Keith eventually leaves the bike unattended in his room and Ralph doesn’t spoil the opportunity to make his move. Although riding the bike comes with a lot of freedom and thrill, it also comes with several obstacles.

Adventures continue as Ralph the mouse has to get past an unruly terrier. He also has to keep some of his cousins away from his new motorcycle. The story is brimming with fun and a little bit of chaos. This is the first book of a trilogy geared toward kids ages five to nine, so consider picking up the other two books as well. It’s great for independent reading if your child is old enough or for shared reading in homeschool and classroom settings. Customers rate this book 4.8 out of five stars. They view it as a portal back to their childhood. Another customer finds Ralph the mouse so adorable. Anyone can love him. She calls it an easy “yes.” The author writes in an appealing way and the story contains enough adventure to keep a child’s interest throughout.

One reviewer felt that this book was “dated.”

Pros and Cons of The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary (Author), Tracy Dockray (Illustrator) 

ProsCons
This classic is available in hardcover, audio, and Kindle formats.One reviewer felt that this book was “dated.”
It’s about a curious mouse named Ralph that has an adventure when he rides a child’s toy motorcycle.
This book is part of a trilogy, so you may want to purchase the other two books as well.
It’s geared toward kids ages five to nine and is rated 4.8/5.
Best Classic
The Mouse and the Motorcycle (Ralph Mouse Book 1)
  • Classic children's novel about Ralph the mouse and his motorcycle
  • Great for independent reading if your child is old enough
  • Customers rate this book 4.8 out of five stars
Check Amazon

5. Sugar and Spice and Everything Mice by Annie Silvestro (Author), Christee Curran-Bauer (Illustrator)

This is an endearing story for kids three years old and up that follows Lucy, a mouse who loves adventure. Lucy loves winter but, in the story, she experiences a heavy snowstorm that forces her indoors. To create fun in the midst of the storm, she decides to invite her friends over for some home-baked sweets. Lucy is the type of mouse that works independently. She takes it all on and tries to do everything on her own. Although normally she likes skating, she realizes that baking is quite a completely different skill. It’s much harder than she thinks. Then, her oven explodes. Naturally, so does Lucy‘s temper.

This story teaches the lesson that everyone needs a little help sometimes. That there’s nothing wrong with asking for that help and receiving it gratefully. Just as everything’s gone mad in the story, Lucy’s pals are more than willing to help Lucy out. This is when Lucy starts recognizing that each of her friends has different strengths. They all complement one another. When they work as a team, they are able to enjoy the fruit of their labor: a delicious cheesecake.

Customers rate this book, which is only available in hardcover picture book format, 4.9 out of five stars. They describe the pictures as adorable and funny. One mom said she couldn’t help but giggle while she was reading along because the cheese puns were hilarious. She loves the message that it’s okay to ask for help from the people around you. She feels her daughter really understood what the author was trying to convey. It’s a cozy story with tons of charming artwork and an overall tender message. One customer comments that it may just make you a little bit hungry.

Pros and Cons of Sugar and Spice and Everything Mice by Annie Silvestro (Author), Christee Curran-Bauer (Illustrator)

ProsCons
This story is about Lucy, a mouse that loves adventure but is forced to stay indoors due to a snowstorm.It’s only available in hardcover picture book format.
Lucy likes to do everything on her own, but quickly learns that she can’t bake without help.
It has a 4.9/5 rating.
It’s intended for for kids three years old and up.
Best Lesson-Inspired
Sugar and Spice and Everything Mice (Volume 2) (Mice Skating)
  • Endearing story about a mouse that teaches that everyone needs help sometimes
  • Cozy, adorable, and pun-filled writing
  • Customers rate this book 4.9 out of five stars
Check Amazon

6. The SECRET of the GNOMES: Gnome Secrets for Living a Happy Life by Curt D Snarr

You can pick up this title in paperback and Kindle formats. This story is about Finley the mouse. In the story, he finds himself in a world unlike any other. He learns many lessons in this world that completely alter his life. He has a lovable personality and a simple disposition. When he walks outside his front door, what he witnesses next is beyond his wildest dreams. He ends up meeting several friendly gnomes and the way they interact with Finley and in their world changes Finley forever.

Customers rate this book, which is geared toward “children of all ages,” 4.5 out of five stars. One customer says this book has “life lessons wrapped in a magical tale.” She describes the artwork as whimsical, bringing to life that magical gnome land that Finley explores throughout the book. It’s a great book to read along with your children because it really helps you ponder some of the more life-affirming concepts we often lose sight of in the hustle and bustle of daily life. One mom read it to her six-year-old and her older children overheard it from the other room. They ended up coming inside to listen along too.

Pros and Cons of The SECRET of the GNOMES: Gnome Secrets for Living a Happy Life by Curt D Snarr

ProsCons
This book, which is for “kids of all ages,” is about Finley the mouse.None
Finley is a loveable mouse with a simple disposition.
He meets several friendly gnomes and this meeting changes him forever.
It’s available in Kindle and paperback formats and is rated 4.5/5 stars.
Best Imaginative
The SECRET of the GNOMES: Gnome Secrets for Living a Happy Life
  • Beautifully illustrated
  • Great book to read along with your children to help them ponder life-affirming concepts
  • Customers rate this book 4.5 out of five stars
Check Amazon

Criteria: What to Look for in Children’s Books About Mice

You have options when selecting a book about mice to give to your kids. Ultimately, it depends on your kids’ ages and what type of content they’re interested in exploring. Some books are straightforward while others take children into an imaginative story.

The Underlying Message

Non-fiction books don’t typically have an underlying lesson. They’re there to relay facts and show children some real-life photos of different mice. It’s always great to have this type of book in your child’s library because it gives them the knowledge they need about mice to branch out further and explore other titles.

Fiction books incorporate more fun and usually have an underlying message. This could be a message about friendship and the importance of family. It could be a book that encourages children to celebrate themselves fully while accepting others as they are. Your child needs certain lessons reinforced throughout their lifetime. When they’re struggling with friends at school or when they’re feeling like they don’t belong, a good book can come into their lives to relay the message they need right at that moment.

The Reading Level

Some books are perfect for early readers. The authors write in a way that’s simple, sometimes with rhyming text, and that excites little ones. Other books are a bit more advanced with less illustrations and more text. So long as you’re purchasing books at the appropriate reading level for your kids, you can be sure they enjoy it. In fact, some of these titles are so easy to love that you are likely to find yourself smiling along with the story when reading along with your kiddos.

About the Author

Angie Menjivar is a writer at A-Z-Animals primarily covering pets, wildlife, and the human spirit. She has 14 years of experience, holds a Bachelor's degree in psychology, and continues her studies into human behavior, working as a copywriter in the mental health space. She resides in North Carolina, where she's fallen in love with thunderstorms and uses them as an excuse to get extra cuddles from her three cats.

The 6 Best Children’s Books About Mice (Including a Classic!) FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Why are there so many stories about mice?

It’s believed that children identify with mice. Mice are small creatures in a world so much bigger than them — like children. They’re also incredibly cute, which children find endearing. Mice are usually helpful characters in fictional narratives, and they often end up as the heroes of their own stories. Children relate to them in all these ways because they understand what it’s like to be so small and brave in a world that towers over them.

Can mice remember you?

Absolutely! Mice have pretty impressive long-term memories. Anyone who has owned a mouse as a pet knows that they remember you. This isn’t always the case with animals. Mice are sweet creatures that enjoy the connections they build with humans. Like humans, there is a strong correlation between scents and their memories. Familiar scents help them with recall, particularly because their eyesight isn’t too keen.

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