A Mouse Called Wolf [Paperback]

Dick King-Smith (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Wolfgang Amadeus Mouse ("Wolf," for short) has a big name for such a little mouse. But the name fits. His favorite pastime is listening to Mrs. Honeybee, the lady of the house, play the piano. If only he could sing along to the music! One day, Wolf decides to try -- and to his surprise, out of his mouth comes a perfect melody.

It's not long before Wolf is singing everything from "Three Blind Mice" to Chopin to the Beatles, all to Mrs. Honeybee's accompaniment. Then an accident leaves Mrs. Honeybee in danger, and it's up to Wolf to save her... the only way he knows how.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3. Another King-Smith critter to love. Wolf is such a minuscule mouse that his mother decides to give him a big name. A slightly chewed piece of sheet music yields "Wolfgang Amadeus Mo"?hence W. A. Mouse or Wolf for short. The family mouse hole is just behind the leg of a grand piano played twice a day by an elderly woman. Wolf loves the music and, to the delight of Mrs. Honeybee and the bemusement of his mother, he becomes the first singing mouse. His special talent even enables him to summon help when Mrs. Honeybee falls and can't get up. The three central characters are nicely crafted in this sweet story. Budding young musicians will relate to Wolf's struggles to develop his talent and share it with his not-so-musical mother. Those who haven't discovered their talents will enjoy this small mouse as they have the other creatures King-Smith so lovingly creates. Goodell's black-and-white illustrations, done in an engaging style similar to the work of Garth Williams, have all the warmth of the text. An appealing beginning-chapter book for young readers ready for a bit of substance, and a surefire read-aloud.?Jody McCoy, Lakehill Preparatory School, Dallas, TX
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"A sunny story... which succeeds because of its determined main character, its gentle wit, and its positive message." -- Booklist  

"An appealing beginning-chapter book for young readers... and a surefire read-aloud." -- School Library Journal
        

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Yearling; Reprint edition (March 16, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375800662
• ISBN-13: 978-0375800665
• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.3 x 7.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #76,786 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #2 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( K ) > King-Smith, Dick

More About the Author

Dick King-Smith was a farmer for twenty years before becoming a writer, and most of his animal stories are based on his farming experiences. He won the Guardian Award with The Sheep-Pig, which became the blockbuster film Babe. Dick lives in Gloucestershire.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A charming children's story about music and aging, October 16, 2001

By 

Volkert Volkersz (Snohomish, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Mouse Called Wolf (Library Binding)

I read "A Mouse Called Wolf" after several students in the elementary school where I am the librarian urged me to read it. They told me I'd love it and they were right!

This is a charming story about a mouse who discovers he can sing, in the process saving his sibling mice from the cat in the house and becoming the companion of elderly Mrs. Honeybee who teaches Wolf new songs on her piano.

It's a simple and appealing story line, but I applaud Dick King-Smith for tackling two subjects not usually found in children's literature. On the one hand he skillfully interweaves musical terms and concepts, and on the other hand he paints a sympathetic portrait of the life of an elderly widow living alone.

This delightful tale should be welcome in the home of musical families or where children need a glimpse into the life of a lonely senior citizen. The adult readers of this story will have many private chuckles over the tunes Mrs. Honeybee chooses to teach her singing mouse: everything from the Beatles' "Help!" to showtunes such as "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'."

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "A Mouse called Wolf", October 31, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Mouse Called Wolf (Paperback)

A Mouse called Wolf"was a fantastic story!!I could not put this book down.It touched me and how the mouse could sing when everyone else thought he was just another runt!!!It shows people could do anything they want to!!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Darling of a book, February 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: A Mouse Called Wolf (Paperback)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mouse is a character you instantly fall in love with. Dick King-Smith has created a charming book that children and parents alike will enjoy. If you liked the movie Babe (Dick King-Smith wrote the book of which the movie was based), you'll adore this heart-warming tale.