This was a fun story that successfully illustrates solving problems without violence. It’s an easy read for those new to chapter books and for bedtime stories. I just wish there were illustrations included since the cover is gorgeous!

Hilarious! The author was right! I could totally see future illustrations for this short story. I wish all you had to do to get rid of a mouse was write them a letter! So funny! I will have to add this to my collection! I wonder what he did when the mice showed up at his new house?!? :D

A lovely book which I can imagine will make children chuckle, even I did! Written in a way that adults will enjoy too and not too childish. A tale that children will want read to them again and again. Wonderful.

Out, Mouse! is truly a modern classic in the making. I do not say that lightly. The story's plot and rhythm have the cosy charm of Frog and Toad and The Wind in the Willows, as well as the wit of Roald Dahl (minus the cynicism). The premise is simple. A polite old man tries everything he can think of rid his home of two picky mice. The cover illustration is delightful, and I just wish that the book included similar illustrations scattered thought the text. It would have made the story more accessible for beginning readers. It makes for excellent shared reading as well as independent reading for advanced beginning readers.

My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for a copy of this book in return for a candid review!

This is a wonderful (and hilarious) book about the myth of having mouse in one's home.

Never knowing the fact that some old tale made you do unimaginable stuff for moving out the mice in their home, this is an interesting read for me. Certainly these old folks made this rule to bring effect that we somehow knew not entirely correct. But the way this author create one into story indeed made my day.

How do you get rid of mice in your house? Write a nice note asking them to leave, of course! Finn searches out new locations for the mouse family but they are very picky. They like Finn's fireplace and the raisin scones and it's a nice place to raise their children. They also like Finn. The feeling is not mutual! Finn is at his wits end when he finds what he thinks is the perfect spot.
This book was cute with a fun twist at the end. It would be a great read aloud for early elementary grades or chapter book for early grades.

I had the good fortune to receive a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. As a teacher it caught my attention because of the letter writing that happens continually throughout the story. I was looking for a fun way to introduce letter writing to my class. This was the perfect find. Professor Dunderbutt has mice in his house, actually a whole family of mice. He does not want to have mice in his house. He wants them gone. Based on an old Irish folktale that the mice will go away if asked politely the professor begins to leave letters for them. He continually asks them to leave and he offers suggestions of where they might find a comfortable home. Each time they explore the new home the find a problem and return. Professor Dunderbutt is very frustrated by this yet continues to write very thoughtful notes.


I recommend this book for the classroom as an inspiration for writing projects. Since it doesn't have many illustrations it provides an excellent opportunity to discuss the importance and fun of illustrations.

Out, Mouse!

written by Valerie L. Egar

audio narration by Paul Collins

Finn, an elderly Irish man, has unwelcome visitors as a mice family makes themselves at home in his cottage. Finn takes advice from Professor Dunderbutt’s book and writes a series of kind letters to Mr. and Mrs. Mouse making suggestions of places they would probably prefer to live. Unfortunately for Finn, they always find something unsuitable about the places he suggests. I won’t spoil the ending, but I’ll say that it did make me smile.

I was referred to this book by blogging book reviewer Carla at Carla Loves to Read. She mentions in her review that she listened to the audio version while reading the printed text. I have been wanting to dip into the many audio versions of books currently offered. With an actor reading this with an Irish accent, this book seemed like the perfect one to begin my listening adventure. Although I will probably continue to prefer the written word, I did enjoy listening to this narration which was very well performed.

I would like to extend my thanks to NetGalley and to Whistle Oak for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4/5

Category: Children’s Fiction, Humor, Multicultural

Notes: 1. Publisher Recommended Ages: 6-9 years
2. Includes a section that encourages students to create pictures of what they imagined as they read the story.

Publication: April 6, 2021—Whistle Oak

Memorable Lines:

Finn knew something was wrong as soon as he opened the door to his cottage. Something or someone, had made a mess of the breakfast he’d placed on the table before taking his morning walk.

If the mice don’t like your first idea, keep writing letters. Sooner or later, one of your letters will work and they will move. This method NEVER fails.

He found a scrap of red cloth and tied it around his neck. A tiny brass nail became a make-believe sword. He held it tightly in his hand, waving it back and forth.

Snickertales! Delightful. Looking for a story to captivate? Look no further. “Out, Mouse” will take curious listeners and young readers on a refreshing journey. There is nothing like a well-crafted jaunt through the lens of rather picky mice. The opportunities for extension: art, story-telling, predicting, telling tales. The story is bright, the artwork sublime, and, if you’ll excuse me, I have a letter to write for a persistent set of house “guests.”

I like short stories very much. This one was so fun to read and I reckon this would be a great success among kids/scholars or adults who have trouble reading, or just readers like me who enjoy a nice funny short story to relax on a Sunday afternoon.

It will also be nice to have a second part so we can know what happens next with Finn & Company,

Excellent picture book for older readers. I’d recommend it within my year 5/6 class. I really like the front cover.

What a beautifully written and fun story!

This story follows an old man named Finn who finds himself living with Mr and Mrs Mouse. He tries to convince Mr and Mrs mouse to leave his house by writing a series of persuasive letters explaining why another location would be much more suitable then his little cottage.

This was a fun and charming book that would be perfect for children of all ages. As a teacher, I recognised it potential for the classroom straight away. This short chapter book is perfect for teaching persuasive texts and would make a great activities for students as they could write their own letters to Mr and Mrs mouse.

This one would make a perfect addition to any child's or classroom bookshelf!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I also listened to this in audiobook form, but I do like looking at the written text whenever possible (as well).

In any format, this story is truly adorable and a treasure for children. The main character doesn't want mice living i his house, so he takes the approach of asking them nicely to leave. In a series of letters, he offers them suggestions about where they might live, and he points out all the wonderful things about each possible location.
The mice visit the locations to decide, for themselves, were they might want to live. I won't spoil the ending, but you won't be disappointed. I would definitely recommend this for young children or just children-at-heart!

This is a cute story based on an Irish Belief that if you want to get rid of rodents, you just have to ask them politely to leave, in a letter. It is a fun story about two fussy mice living in Finn's Cottage. Finn tries to relocate the mice to several different spots, but they keep coming back. He eventually decides that maybe he needs to be the one to move. A cute story that made my grandson laugh out loud. We did a read/listen where he followed along with the text while listening to the story. At first he was disappointed that there were no "pictures", but when he got to the end, he changed his mind. The back pages included a page called "Did You Imagine Pictures As You Read The Story". We went through it again and talked about what we pictured on each page. Of course, his sister wanted to draw them. The audiobook was narrated by Paul Collins and I thought it was a perfect fit. He is a new narrator to me and even though I have now listened to this story several times, I have not tired of its reading. I definitely recommend this one to early readers. I can definitely see this one being used in a classroom art lesson.

This was the cutest children's book! I read this to my younger brother (Age 6), and he absolutely loved it!

I find the writing really interesting and fun to read.

The story provides a good way as how to deal with animals we consider pests by not telling to deal the same with violence or getting rid of them by force.

Of course, it's a younger age group light read both from the perspectives of the mice family and the child who wants to get rid of them as soon as possible.

I love how the author dealt with the dilemma without hurting anyone. It's such a good story.

Thank you, author and the publisher, for the advance reading copy.

This was a hilarious read, I feel so sorry for Finn!!
I picked it cause I loved the cover and expected it to be longer, but young kids will love this!
My rating 4 stars

“Out, Mouse!” by Valerie L. Egar takes an old wives' tale and expands it into a charming early reader set in rural Ireland. As explained in the author’s note there is a folk belief that a surefire method of ridding your house of mice is to write the rodents a letter explaining why a different place is better suited to them. In this story, a bachelor named Finn writes a series of letters to the mice he sees scurrying around his humble house. After each letter we see Mr. and Mrs. Mouse’s reaction as they investigate each of his suggestions and find them lacking. Although Finn tries to be very courteous he grows increasingly impatient with his uninvited house guests. His recommendations for new homes get more creative, such as a local lighthouse or ancient castle. The ending manages to be both very satisfying and comical. In addition to the author’s note there is an invitation for young readers to share their own illustrations based on different scenes in the book. Teachers may find this book useful as a fun way to teach the parts of a letter in a writing lesson.

Finn has a mouse problem and, using advice from Professor Dunderbutt's book, he writes a letter each day to the mice describing a wonderful new home for them. But each day the mice visit the home and find it isn't good enough... until an unexpected twist at the end. A humorous Irish folktale retold by Valerie L. Egar, this also makes an amazing read aloud and I recommend this wonderful story for adults too because all the best stories should be shared.

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

** AUDIO and PICTURE BOOK versions read and reviewed**
Out, Mouse! is a truly enjoyable children's book about an old man who is trying to get rid of two picky mice from his home.
This book has a stunning illustration on the cover but no illustrations inside which was rather disappointing but the story had great humour throughout.
The audio version has great narration and kept me engaged in the story.
The mice in this story are so much fun and I loved reading about their antics!
A really enjoyable listen and read sure to delight many many children.