Adventure Mice: Otter Chaos!
Pedro may be small, but he is a mouse longing for adventure. Leaving his home at Hilltop House behind, he sets off for the legendary Mouse Islands. Initially, things go wrong, but when he finds himself in trouble, Pedro is rescued by the Adventuremice, a brave, determined band of mice, each with an area of expertise, making them the perfect team. Perdro dreams of joining their ranks, seeking to prove himself against Mortlake, a mean, hungry otter looking for some lunch…
Every time I read a book by the dream team of Reeve and McIntyre, I realise how lucky children today are in the quality, range and style of books available to them. I have enjoyed everything from ‘Oliver and the Seawigs’ to the latest ‘Kevin’ adventure (I have a particular affection for Neville and Beyonce), but with the ‘Adventuremice’, I have found what would have been my favourite book as a child!
The perfect size for little hands, the cover illustration alone is enough to fire the imagination and excitement for what’s to come. The first page shows Pedro carefully lifting up the corner to show a hint of the spread which introduces the reader to the Adventuremice- and Pedro himself- and this is just a small indication of the attention to detail and holistic approach to storytelling adopted by this team.
In the story, little Perdo learns about courage and teamwork, listening to others and taking advice and learning from mistakes. He also demonstrates the importance of caring and the true bravery needed to do the right thing when it is difficult, empathising with others and truly being ‘good’. He is a delightful character, vividly brought to life by the endearing and whimsical illustrations. The Adventuremice team all have well developed personalities and children are sure to quickly find their favourite. The mice would translate brilliantly into toys, encouraging imaginative play and adventure…
With my teaching head on, the book would make an excellent Guided Reading text as there is much to love and explore. There are plenty of points which lend themselves to writing opportunities, role play, drama and debate as well as a rich use of vocabulary and description to investigate and enjoy. Reading as my inner child, this book would have absorbed me for hours. The cross section of the Mousebase alone would have had me drawing and creating little finger puppets of the characters to play out adventures of my own invention- and the map..! All my life, I have been fascinated by dolls’ houses and miniatures and this plays right into that love as I am sure it will with many children! Instructions for drawing Pedro are included at the end of the story; once mastered, these offer the perfect basis for creating your own mouse characters to join the team should you wish. Sarah and Philip are each depicted in their mouse alter egos which might encourage the reader to attempt the same!
I am not sure how many superlatives I can get away with here, but ‘Adventuremice: Otter Chaos’ deserves them all! Delightfully illustrated, beautifully written, full of adventure and heart, this is a series which is going to be much loved and much enjoyed!
Adventuremice: Otter Chaos!
Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre
David Fickling Books ISBN: 978-17884526790