The Mouse and the Motorcycle [Paperback]

Beverly Cleary (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1990

Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. 100% Money Back Guarantee.

Product Details

• Paperback: 158 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins Childrens Books (1990)
• Language: English
• ASIN: B001ICNL3M
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 4.9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #73,344 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Extremely charming, this book had me turning the pages, June 9, 2009

By 

J. Maxon "Fantasy Author" (Minnesota, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Mouse and the Motorcycle (Paperback)

Story overview:

One day, in an old fashioned and unfrequented hotel, a family shows up. The mother is not the most thrilled about the idea of staying at this place, and keeps on insisting that there are probably mice living there, but there were no other options (they had driven for many hours and everything else was full). Her and her husband stay in room 216, but their son, Keith, is allowed to have his own room next door in #215.

The boy pokes his finder in a hole only to find, to his disappointment, that there's nothing in there. Little did he know that it was the entrance to the home of Ralph, a young and mischievous mouse who is always giving his mother reasons to worry; particularly on this day when he climbs up a phone cord to look for leftover crumbs.

Unfortunately for Ralf, the boy's mother is overly clean and there were no leftovers, however what he saw was something he desired even more than food: a motorcycle.

Ralf sits on the motorcycle and accidently rolls off the table, falling into a waste basket, where he is discovered by the boy, Keith, and they become good friends. The two have a lot of fun together until one day-due to Ralf's carelessness-the hotel finds evidence of mice and so Ralf and his family take refuge. Thankfully for the mice, Keith brings them enough food to eat, but one day the boy becomes ill and Ralf finds himself on a mission to help find him some medicine.

My thoughts:

Extremely charming, this book had me turning the pages. The fonts are big (at least in my edition), so it's easier for children to read, and the illustrations (though sometimes not quite accurate) do a good job of painting a visual picture to the words. As an adult, I still really enjoyed reading this again, and will probably go back and read a few more "Ralph S. Mouse" books before too long.

Things to consider:

Keep in mind that this book was written in 1965, and there are some really dated expressions and items, but being from the 60s, and for children, I think it safe to say that this can be read to just about any age. It seems to be targeted more towards boys at around five years old, but I can see girls easily enjoying it too. No cursing, no violence, no sexual situations. Just nice, clean and entertaining reading.

James D. Maxon
[...]

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top-notch entertainment for my little boys, May 15, 2009

By 

M. Heiss (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Mouse and the Motorcycle (Paperback)

Beverly Cleary is the Queen of the Bookshelves in our house, because of the Ramona and Henry books. This is another wonderful, amazing, creative, and character-building story for your little ones.

The reading level is second-grade (at least), and the chapters are long. It is pure fun -- the boy and the mouse can understand one another, and they each come to the other's rescue. The mouse makes the boy's toy motorcycle "go" by making engine noises, of course.

We enjoy it for family read-aloud time. There are a few illustrations, one or two per chapter, and some 1960's-era vocabulary (modern moms don't give their little boys aspirin anymore, and there's a milkman, and a drugstore that doesn't open till 9:00 the following morning. No Walgreens back then!) So when I read it, I explain a little. I read "aspirin" as "pill" or "medicine". We have stayed in plenty of old hotels like the one in the story book, and it is charming to imagine Ralph on his motorcycle putt-putting along the dark hallways.

The story is boyishly appealing. Once your little ones can read well, Beverly Cleary is an excellent author, because she loves children, and her characters stay safe and develop nice personalities.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful experience, December 31, 2011

By 

mykidreads - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Mouse and the Motorcycle (Paperback)

I bought the Mouse and the Motorcycle book by Beverly cleary as a christmas gift for my son because it is on his reading list at school and he was interested in it. I got my order very quickly and in great condition. I am 100% satisfied with this seller and would order from them again.