My huge thanks to Emily McBride Marples at Bloomsbury for sending me a copy of The Great Mouse Orchestra by Ella Risbridger, illustrated by Alice Courtley in return for an honest review. It’s my pleasure to share my review today.
Published in hardback by Bloomsbury Children’s Book on 22nd October, The Great Mouse Orchestra is available for purchase here.
The Great Mouse Orchestra
This is the tale of one little mouse called Jeremy Larkin – and his dream of finding the legendary Great Mouse Orchestra. Over one magical winter night, Jeremy sets out on his mission, helped by a bold little fox called Cleo, a squirrel boy called Antoine, a Pekinese named Eloise, and an all-girl Bat Gang. Will Jeremy find the Orchestra? Or will he find that – just maybe – it’s been there all along?
Featuring lots of gorgeous activities – including recipes for Christmas spice cake and festive hot chocolate – this irresistible winter adventure is packed with frosty magic, warmth and wonder.
My Review of The Great Mouse Orchestra
Mouse Jeremy Larkin is determined to hear the mouse orchestra.
As always when reviewing children’s books, I like to comment on the physical properties and The Great Mouse Orchestra is just lovely. It is the perfect size for sharing with individual children or groups and the hardback is robust so that it will withstand small hands easily. The book is beautifully illustrated by Alice Courtley with a naive, but not childish, style that will appeal to children of all ages. Under the vibrant and charming slip cover is red board studded with golden stars and there is a silk ribbon book mark all adding to a feeling of luxury and high quality.
The story in The Great Mouse Orchestra is quite wonderful (and actually brought a tear to my eye at one point!) as Jeremy tries desperately to hear the great mouse orchestra. Thwarted at every turn, his encounters with the other creatures show children how delayed gratification can be even better than immediate success. The variety of animals show how different folk can live and work together harmoniously, providing an important message for children even as they are being entertained.
Other wonderful messages in The Great Mouse Orchestra teach that we can be stronger if we do things with friends and also, if we are kind, cooperative and helpful to others, we can be rewarded perfectly. I also loved the way in which Jeremy might not achieve exactly what he set out to do, but he learns that there is still joy and pleasure to be had if only we listen carefully and accept the awe and magic of the world around us. Forget children, if only world leaders could read and learn from The Great Mouse Orchestra.
An added and unexpected bonus in The Great Mouse Orchestra is the range of activities included as an integral part of the story with baking and crafting ideas and instructions. This means that the book can be enjoyed on many levels and is interactive as well as entertaining.
I loved The Great Mouse Orchestra and think it would make a wonderful gift for children aged around 4 to 7.
About Ella Risbridger
Ella Risbridger is a writer, editor and anthologiser. In a former life she was a beauty columnist for the i, a cancer columnist for the Pool, a sometime journalist for lots of places (Guardian, Observer, Prospect, Grazia, Stylist), a poet and a carer. She now lives and works in south-east London, where she has too many books and thinks a lot about getting a cat. For further information, visit Ella’s website and find her on Instagram.
About Alice Courtley
Alice Courtley is an author – illustrator based in the UK. She studied Children’s Book Illustration on the Cambridge School of Art MA, and her work has been recognised for prizes such as the Batsford Prize and featured in exhibitions such as the AOI’s ‘Inspired to Innovate’ in London. Alice’s published books include Lost in the City and Waiting for Froggo.
For further information, follow Alice on X @alice_courtley and Instagram.
