A brave little mouse. A terrifying cat. A lesson in courage that children will never forget.
When a sleek black cat begins hunting the mice of Number 6 Elm Street, every family in the house has a plan. The Dabblefoots want a trap. The Thimbletails suggest peanut butter. The Tumblepaws know a trap will never hold. But no plan matters until someone is brave enough to carry it out.
Nobody expects that someone to be Nibblekins Crumblepaw.
His family has always been the outcasts, banished to the attic, surviving on bugs and seeds while the other mice lived in comfort. Nobody asks the Crumblepaws for advice. Nobody takes them seriously. But when the room full of well-fed, well-housed mice goes quiet with fear, Nibblekins rises to his feet and says the words that change everything: "I will do it."
Belling the Cat is a richly told children's fable that brings the classic Aesop tale to vivid life with unforgettable characters, gentle humor, and a message that will spark wonderful conversations between children and parents, grandparents, and teachers.
This book is perfect for:
- Families and classrooms looking for stories about courage, kindness, and standing up for others
- Parents of kids age 5-10 who want bedtime stories with a real, lasting message
- Teachers building lessons around bravery, community, and doing the right thing even when it is hard
Themes include: bravery, fairness, teamwork, overcoming prejudice, and the courage to act when others will not.
Young readers will find themselves cheering for Nibblekins, giggling at old Mr. Porridgepot and his evening tea, and learning one of life's most important lessons: it is easy to have a good idea. It takes a truly brave heart to see it through.
