A Mouse Called Julian

A skilfully adapted board book version of the justifiably popular picture book, originally published in 2019. While the story has inevitably been condensed, the key elements and humour of the story of the unlikely friendship that develops between a fox and Julian the reclusive mouse, have been retained. In addition, the stylish and vivid illustrations work just as well in this small format. It is such a treat not to see a literally miniaturised version of a picture book produced as a board book with too much tiny text and so many pages that the book becomes impossibly heavy to manipulate. The story itself is also appropriate and accessible to this younger age group. Julian has learned all the ways to avoid those animals above ground that want to eat him, but fox has been watching him and one day bursts right into Julian’s underground home but gets firmly stuck in the process. Julian must trust that the fox will not eat him and even shares his supper with him when their attempts to get him free fail. Eventually Fox is released and is able to spring to the rescue on another day when Julian falls into the clutches of the hungry barn owl. Children will be shocked, then relieved and very much amused by the fox’s method of rescue. With lovely subtle messages about the value of friendship and learning to trust others and also that it is OK to just be yourself and go your own way too, this is a lovely book to share and discuss with preschoolers.