Martin's Mice

I don’t even know how many times I’ve read this book—dozens when I was in elementary school, and every few years as an adult. It was my favorite of Dick King-Smith’s books when I was a kid and even today it never fails to charm. Martin the cat is a naive but lovable main, well-intentioned but not the brightest bulb in the box, but so kind and curious about the world, and committed to living his life on his terms—similar to Ferdinand the Bull. Reading this today I found the story to be as tight as it ever was, with a fantastic narrative and gentle humor that still resonates. When I was younger I definitely missed the deeper message of the value of freedom and personal choice. No matter—I loved it then, and I appreciate it on show more a deeper level now. And finally, the illustrations are still such a part of my experience of the book, and as I was reading I realized I’d memorized them over the years and could anticipate which was up next just as much as I remembered certain lines and scenes. One of the more perfect pairings in an already perfect book. show less

Another winner from this author of [b:Babe: The Gallant Pig|646195|Babe The Gallant Pig|Dick King-Smith|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320498616l/646195._SX50_.jpg|632345]. I loved it, and judging by they condition my library's copy is in, children do, too. The animals' voices seem so authentic... if the could talk, King-Smith knows exactly how they would! There's lots of different kinds of humor, from word-play to satire to slapstick, and adventure, and even a few bits where some of us might need to reach for a tissue.

My only complaint? Too short!

Fantastic book! Comical, interesting, paced just right. Martin is a well-meaning cat who just wants to keep pet mice, until he learns a lesson about freedom.

This would be a great book for reading aloud to kids--there's a lot of witty bits to keep adults chuckling to themselves.

My mother, a fifth grade teacher, recommended I read this book. It was a very cute, sweet read about a cat who fails at being a mouser -- sort of. It's adorable and sweet.

Have you ever heard of a cat that doesn’t like to eat mice? Well, I have. Hi my name is Martin and I don’t like to eat mice. It all started when I caught a mouse called Drusilla and I ended up keeping her as a pet in the house bathtub, but then she has babies. When the babies got older they got tiered of staying in a bathtub so Martin let them free. If you want to find out if a cat will catch the babies and eat them you have to read Martins mice by: Dick-King Smith.

Cute book. Somewhat dated.