Where Happiness Lives

I love this story! A fantastic heart-warming tale that is relatable for both children and adults alike. The story reminds us of a well-known message; the grass is not always greener on the other side, be happy with what you have. Grey Mouse lives in a cosy cottage with his family and he thinks it is the perfect home. Until one day, when he's out walking, he spots a home that's much bigger, 'with oodles of space and a balcony too!'. Grey mouse wishes he lived here instead. The owner of this house is a white mouse. Little white mouse explains that he, too, was happy once with his own home, that is until a much grander house caught his eye far off in the distance. The two mice decide to set off to reach their dream house up in the hills and when they get there, they cannot believe their eyes! A dome and a spire, a garden with fountains and a banqueting hall. This is the place to be they thought, this is the perfect house! But does brown mouse agree? Is it all its cracked up to be; living in the house with plates made of gold and hallways full of treasures untold? At the end of the story, the three mice soon come to realise that what they have is just right for them. 'Whatever your home, it is happiness indeed if you love what you have' and you have what you need. This book is beautifully produced with delicate flaps, fold-outs and peek through pages. The show stopper is the fold out of brown mouse's view from her telescope high up in the dome of her house of treasures. The gentle, poetic text flows throughout, paired with perfectly sweet artwork, rich in colour with lots to explore. Children will enjoy counting the surprising number of mice who live happily in the smallest of the three homes with Grey mouse. This is a truly lovable story that will teach children about jealousy, and to look past material things as these do not always bring the joy we expected. A great story to share as a whole school assembly text or as a PSHE stimulus to discuss envy, wants and needs. Picture book / Ages 3+ / Reviewed by Nikki Stiles, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 3+

Traditional and classic; this story makes a perfect gift. Perhaps one my favourite picture books, I absolutely adored this tale. With its beautifully drawn illustrations and engaging story, Where Happiness Lives will quickly become a firm favourite on the book shelf that you will want to read again and again with your children. Reminiscent of Sylvanian families, this delightful tale tells the story of three little mice who are all content in their own houses before they spot 'something better' on the other side of the village. It begins with little grey mouse, whose house is small but full of laughter and family, but as he is out walking one day he spots a house 'that is hard to ignore'. He meets the owner (a white mouse) and exclaims that her house 'is much bigger...you must be the happiest mouse in the land'. However, together they spot a much grander house and they set off to go and have a look. They become so focused on their mission to see the grand house, they don't notice all the other things that once made them so happy - the bird song, the fish in the brook, the butterflies dancing. Finally, they meet the brown mouse who proudly shows them around her grand house and the two mice exclaim 'the happiest mouse is the mouse who has MORE'. But, as they reach the final room, the brown mouse is lonely and sad so shows them her favourite view - looking through the telescope at the little house of the grey mouse - 'for that is a house where true happiness lives!' With a heart-warming message that rings so true in today's materialistic society, this message is so important to install into young people. The illustrations are carefully hand drawn and add to the traditional feel of this story. Each page is more beautiful than the last. Aside from the wonderful narrative and beautifully hand drawn illustrations, this book also has flaps to lift as well as cut out elements of the picture which reveal a new picture when you turn the page. This picture book has it all! I cannot rate this picture book highly enough - I have already purchased several more as gifts! Picture book / Ages 4+ / Reviewed by Joanna Hewish, teacher.

Suggested Reading Age 3+