The moral of this fantasy story is great for kids, as it can teach them to be content in their own surroundings. There are four mice in this story who tire of their homes and decide to switch. However, they then find that they don't like the new home at all and miss the familiar life they had. The setting takes place in the town and country, which is important to portray the contrast between the two. Media: Acrylic paint

Mice from different sides of the tracks exchange homes and find that the grass isn't always greener on the other side.

This book is a good read. It appeals to children of all ages in which the illustrations makes it easier due to the colorful pictures. It deals with the stuggle of leaving home and adjusting to another place.
The emotions that comes with moving to a new place and environment can be demanding on the emotions of a child. The comfort of knowing that there is no better place like home is rather comforting. ( )

"Town mouse, Country mouse" by Jan Brett is a classic story of wanting to know what happens on the other side of the tracks and finding out that your comfort zone may be the perfect place afterall.

They always say..."the grass is always greener on the other side". Well sometimes, that isn't the case. The fact that town mouse & country mouse are willing to leave the familiar and explore each other's comfort zones is admiring. Early on in the story, it becomes apparent that it just doesn't suit them.

Classroom extension: Ask the children to draw or write about a place that they would consider the opposite of where they live and explain how they think it might be better or worse. ( )

Emily (BookHive (www.bookhive.org))
The grass is always greener on the other side...at least that is what Town Mouse and Country Mouse think. Town Mouse longs to live in the country where he was born and eat wild blackberries. Country Mouse dreams of a pantry filled with cheese. Both want to live in each other's homes. So, the mice switch places and move with their wives to their new homes where they learn that one misses the beauty of the country while the other misses the hustle and noise of the town. Brett's beautiful illustrations capture urban and country life filled with pleasures and dangers. The struggle to find out if the grass is greener on the other side continues even after the story ends. Category: Folklore; Read Aloud. Grade Level: Primary (K-3rd grade). 1994, Putnam. Ages 5 to 9. Awards: ABC Children's Bookseller Chioce Award 1995