Miika leaves home because he wishes to explore the outside world and the guilt of stealing a mushroom from his mother. After a short stay in the woodcutter home, he and Nikolas find themselves in Elfhelm (Finland) surrounded by elves, pixies and a fellow mouse, Bridget the Brave.
Following an incident with the reindeer, Miika receives power; as a result, he becomes half a mouse and half a magic. On one hand, Miika is in a battle with himself – who is he? On the other hand, he tries to conform to Bridget and keep the ‘friendship’. He even agrees to steal the most delicious “Urga-burga” cheese from the Troll Valley. But when the troll arrives, and the town is in danger, Miika risks his life and acts.
“A Mouse Called Miika” feels like a fairy tale in which beautifully illustrated black-and-white characters behave and think humanely. Each chapter starts with an artistically written capital letter with a mouse, making it attractive for the children. Magic and values are combined to teach readers to value themselves for who they are: “You see, it is better to be disliked for being who you are than to be liked for who you are not. ”
“A Mouse Called Miika” is an engaging story suitable for reading aloud or as an introduction to the first (short) chapter books for KS1 children. It might pose the question of who you could be and the actual value of friendship.
A magical adventure for finding yourself!
Further Information:
If you loved A Mouse Called Miika, check out more information about its author and illustrator:
The Stats:
- Title: A Mouse Called Miika
- Author and Illustrator: Matt Haig & Chris Mould
- ISBN: 978 1 83885 368 6
- Publication Date: 2021
- Page Count: 208
- Publisher: Canongate
- Recommended age: 5-8
- Categories/Topic: mouse, magic, pixies, adventure, winter, Christmas, true self
Where to Find it:
Further Reading:
Other Matt Haig’s Christmas series books:
