Sample
The little mouse loved music from even before he could open his eyes. He lay curled in a nest of grass and string and bits of rag all snuggled in with his nine brothers and seven sisters in the old boot in the junk pile and he listened.
“What’s making that song, mother?”
“It’s a meadowlark on a fence post singing for love.”
“Oh, it’s so beautiful.”
“What’s that one?” he asked, shushing his squeaking siblings so he could hear it properly.
“It’s the wind sighing through the trees on the hill.”
“And that?’’
“Frogs down at the pond.”
At night the deliciously lonely song that coyotes sing sent shivers down his spine and he was glad he was safely tucked in bed.
He was the runt of the litter and when he became nervous his voice took on a terrible high pitched quality (even more than what was normal for a mouse). For this reason his brothers and sisters named him Pipsqueak, which over time had been shortened to Pip.
Annoyed by his constant questions about what made each and every sound, his brothers and sisters asked their mother “why can’t he be like the rest of us?”
“Because he is what he is,” is all their mother would say.
For the first two weeks of life all baby mice have their eyes closed. When at last the first rays of light finally greeted his eyes and his world exploded into shape and color, Pip ran from one song to the next to discover what was making them. The rusty gate banging against the fence, cows swishing their tails, the bleating of lambs and dogs barking in the farmyard; all of these were music to Pip.
Down at the marsh many different songs combined together to make a fantastic banquet of sound. Fish rising to the surface and disappearing with a splash, red-winged blackbirds trilling, nearly bursting for joy. There was the sharp staccato of killdeer calling out and the songs of bullfrogs and cicadas. The wind was rustling the rushes and in a great crescendo a flock of geese came trumpeting in, landing upon the pond in an enormous rush of wings and water.
Pip closed his eyes, swept away by the beauty of it all. Had it not been for his sensitive hearing he surely would have missed the sound of belly scales on bark and been eaten by a huge snake. Even so, it was still the closest call of his whole life. He scurried back to the nest as quickly as his legs would go and didn’t venture back to the marsh for a very long time.
FOR CHILDREN:
Have you ever heard a mouse sing opera? Meet Pip, the tiniest mouse with the biggest voice! While his brothers and sisters gather food, Pip collects sounds – from croaking frogs to singing farm boys, and midnight coyote songs. But when he dreams of becoming an opera star, everyone tells him he’s too small. Good thing Pip’s about to meet some very unusual friends who know that sometimes the greatest music comes in the smallest packages!
FOR PARENTS:
In this heartwarming tale about following your dreams, Pip – the runt of the litter – discovers his extraordinary gift for music. Through his journey from farm mouse to potential opera star, children learn valuable lessons about courage, perseverance, and embracing what makes them unique. With charming characters like a classical-music-loving hawk and a secret violin-playing cat, “The Opera Mouse” entertains while teaching children that being different can be their greatest strength.
FOR TEACHERS:
“The Opera Mouse” offers rich educational opportunities. This engaging story combines music appreciation, sound awareness, and emotional intelligence in an accessible format. Through Pip’s journey, students explore:
– Sound and music in nature
– Overcoming stage fright
– Building self-confidence
– Cultural exposure to opera
– The importance of mentorship
Perfect for grades 1-3, with opportunities for classroom activities, discussions about following dreams, and conversations about embracing individual differences.
FOR LIBRARIANS:
A unique addition to children’s literature that bridges the gap between everyday life and classical arts. This beautifully crafted tale follows Pip, an unlikely hero whose passion for music leads him on an extraordinary adventure. Combining elements of classic animal tales with an introduction to opera and musical appreciation, “The Opera Mouse” offers young readers an engaging story while expanding their cultural horizons. Ideal for read-aloud sessions and music-themed programming.