King Mouse

Author Cary Fagan
Illustrated by Dena Seiferling
Look inside
$17.99 US
Tundra | Tundra Books
36 per carton
On sale Sep 24, 2019 | 9780735264045
Age 3-7 years
Reading Level: Fountas & Pinnell L
Sales rights: US, Canada, Open Mkt
King Mouse finds his authority in question when his subjects find crowns of their own. A gentle and humorous modern fable about imaginative play and kindness in the tradition of classics like Little Bear and Frog and Toad.

A sweet, thoughtful tale of friendship, sharing and play, King Mouse begins when a mouse comes upon a tiny crown in the grass. The mouse puts the crown on his head, and when a bear subsequently comes upon him and asks if he's king, the mouse responds "Yes."

This diminutive monarch settles into his new role very comfortably . . . until a snake comes upon a crown and claims she is queen. The mouse is not amused, especially when one by one the other animals find crowns and claim they are royalty too. But when the bear can't find a crown, King Mouse make a most surprising decision.

This inspired collaboration between an award-winning author and debut picture book illustrator Dena Seiferling is quietly profound in its simplicity and has the feeling of a modern classic.
  • HONOR | 2020
    Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award
  • SHORTLIST | 2020
    Vancouver Children's Literature Roundtable - Sheila Barry Best Canadian Picturebook of the Year Award
  • FINALIST | 2019
    Alcuin Society Awards for Excellence in Book Design – Children
  • FINALIST | 2019
    Governor General's Literary Awards - Children's Literature - Illustration
One of the New York Public Library's Best Books for Kids 2019

PRAISE FOR King Mouse:

“Each page is riotous and breathtaking.” --STARRED REVIEW, Quill & Quire

“Graceful and perceptive in both illustration and text, the timeless theme is particularly pertinent today.” --STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus Reviews

“. . . Seiferling creates striking, silvery graphite spreads to illustrate this story. . . . Fagan develops with dry wit the story of the crowns and the way they skew the animals’ judgment, ending the tale on a wistful, affectionate note.” --Publishers Weekly

"The quiet resolution is extremely satisfying [and the art] exude[s] an air of fantasy that perfectly complements this gentle, relatable story" --School Library Journal

“Highly recommended for classroom, public or personal libraries. This book would make an excellent read-aloud with many possibilities for follow-up projects and discussions.” --Resource Links


“In addition to being a quiet browsing book or a one-on-one reading experience, King Mouse would make a lovely read-aloud for storytelling. Highly Recommended.” --CM Magazine

About

King Mouse finds his authority in question when his subjects find crowns of their own. A gentle and humorous modern fable about imaginative play and kindness in the tradition of classics like Little Bear and Frog and Toad.

A sweet, thoughtful tale of friendship, sharing and play, King Mouse begins when a mouse comes upon a tiny crown in the grass. The mouse puts the crown on his head, and when a bear subsequently comes upon him and asks if he's king, the mouse responds "Yes."

This diminutive monarch settles into his new role very comfortably . . . until a snake comes upon a crown and claims she is queen. The mouse is not amused, especially when one by one the other animals find crowns and claim they are royalty too. But when the bear can't find a crown, King Mouse make a most surprising decision.

This inspired collaboration between an award-winning author and debut picture book illustrator Dena Seiferling is quietly profound in its simplicity and has the feeling of a modern classic.

Awards

  • HONOR | 2020
    Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award
  • SHORTLIST | 2020
    Vancouver Children's Literature Roundtable - Sheila Barry Best Canadian Picturebook of the Year Award
  • FINALIST | 2019
    Alcuin Society Awards for Excellence in Book Design – Children
  • FINALIST | 2019
    Governor General's Literary Awards - Children's Literature - Illustration

Praise

One of the New York Public Library's Best Books for Kids 2019

PRAISE FOR King Mouse:

“Each page is riotous and breathtaking.” --STARRED REVIEW, Quill & Quire

“Graceful and perceptive in both illustration and text, the timeless theme is particularly pertinent today.” --STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus Reviews

“. . . Seiferling creates striking, silvery graphite spreads to illustrate this story. . . . Fagan develops with dry wit the story of the crowns and the way they skew the animals’ judgment, ending the tale on a wistful, affectionate note.” --Publishers Weekly

"The quiet resolution is extremely satisfying [and the art] exude[s] an air of fantasy that perfectly complements this gentle, relatable story" --School Library Journal

“Highly recommended for classroom, public or personal libraries. This book would make an excellent read-aloud with many possibilities for follow-up projects and discussions.” --Resource Links


“In addition to being a quiet browsing book or a one-on-one reading experience, King Mouse would make a lovely read-aloud for storytelling. Highly Recommended.” --CM Magazine