Mabel and the Big Wide World

Smallest of the mouse siblings, Mabel lives contentedly in a barn with no intentions of ever leaving its confines to venture out into the big wide world. Her brothers and sisters ask her to join them but she prefers to watch, indeed there’s something stopping her going outside however much fun it might appear. Mabel watches the changing seasons worrying about the rain, heat, wind and cold in turn and still her siblings tell her she’s missing so much. Then one day, from her safe looking place Mabel spies a beautiful rainbow in the sky outside. Little by little she edges towards the world beyond the barn and once outside there before her eyes stretching from hilltop to sea is a glorious arc of colour. As the rain continues falling gently, she frolics delightedly, splashing in puddles, playing chase, picking flowers and climbing trees. Never once does she think of those ‘great big hairy things and teeny-weeny scary things’ she feared so much.

Back in the barn after an exciting day, she feels the space has become very small and fashions an ‘inside rainbow’ to remind her of the amazing one she’s seen outside.

Months pass, the seasons change and now, her fears banished, Mabel enjoys even the thunderstorm with its rumbles and flashes. Now she’s the one doing the reassuring. Autumn and winter bring further delights and meanwhile back in the barn there’s more excitement for Mabel. No longer the littlest mouse; she has lots of new sisters and brothers, one of which is Marco. Now it’s her turn to encourage him to venture into the big wide world.

Written from Mabel’s viewpoint, this story should help alleviate the fears young children might have about stepping outside their comfort zone. Jane Porter’s collage style scenes showing Mabel’s journey towards self-confidence are a great complement to the author’s telling.