The Mouse and his Child

by Russell Hoban

A tin father and son twirl happily beneath a Christmas tree—until one fateful moment breaks the old clockwork rules and shatters their world. Discarded and damaged, they’re rescued from the bin by a kind tramp who helps repair them.

Determined to find the home they lost, they set off on a perilous journey across the city, hoping to be reunited with the toys they once called family: a plush elephant, a tin seal, and the magical doll’s house they remember from the shop window.

Themes

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  • Free Will
  • Self-determination
  • Villain
  • Clockwork Toys
  • Finding Your Place In The World
  • Destiny
  • Hope
  • Animals
  • Vengeance
  • Family
  • Friendship