Master Mouse

Master Mouse is a 14,500-word middle-grade children's book written to amuse, instruct and inspire kids aged 5 to 10 by transporting them to a magical world of adventure while drawing deep parallels with their own journeys of growth and awareness. Beautifully illustrated, the book's clear messages are delivered with humour and pace and give permission to kids of all ages to embrace the life's endeavours by being brave and vulnerable.

We are all perfectly imperfect, and no one demonstrates this better than Master Mouse and his flawed team of Questers who seem doomed to fail from the outset. Unaware of the unique skills each brings, and all keen to suppress their individual flaws, the ragged team struggle to work together.

Gemma Giraffe, following revelations of her illiteracy, opts to stay behind. Slow Sally Slug gets distracted, and Robert Raccoon, in his single-minded focus on food, runs off after spying a decision apple tree. Eager to prove his capabilities and overcome his low self-esteem, Master Mouse is excited to go off on his own but is snatched by an eagle.

The other three team members combine their unique skills and rescue Master Mouse in haphazard circumstances. They all return to Quest School jubilant about receiving their Questing diplomas. As Master Mouse was the one rescued, he does not qualify. The team pull together and recall the events that led to Master Mouse inadvertently saving Sally Slug along the way, allowing them to graduate together.

Through a hilarious series of mishaps and misunderstandings, this book shows children how vulnerability brings us closer to each other. It demonstrates how embracing our perceived weaknesses helps us cooperate while acknowledging our individuality and diversity.

Many children's books address the challenges of childhood, coping with life's lessons and social dynamics, but this book is uniquely positioned to support the current wave of awareness around the dichotomy of inclusion and diversity and shows children how to feel their feelings and be proud of their uniqueness. The book complements the work and philosophies of childhood experts such as Steve Biddulph, Maggie Dent and Magda Gerber.

Children who love books like The Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton, The Key to Rondo by Emily Rodda, or anything by Roald Dahl will love Master Mouse, the first in this brand-new adventure series for children.