Macmillan Children’s Books ISBN: 978-1529003994 £6.99
Fans of the first book, The Umbrella Mouse, which won the 2019 Sainsbury’s Book Prize for Fiction and was chosen as a Waterstone’s Book of the Month, will not be disappointed with the sequel. This story picks up where the last book stopped. It is set during the final months of the Second World War, and follows the events surrounding the Liberation of Paris in August 1944. Pip Hanway, the young mouse, is still working with the French Resistance group, Noah’s Ark. Noah’s Ark is the name of a secret gang of animals led by the formidable Hedgehog, Madame Fourcade, whose aim is to liberate France and help the Allies win the war. The plot is exciting with twists and turns. I particularly enjoyed the chapters about tanks, and fuel lines, the saving of The Eiffel Tower and sabotaging of the telephone lines inside the Nazis’ military headquarters. In addition to being a great adventure story, there are opportunities to consider memories, loyalty, fear, danger, courage, bonds of friendship and doing what is right. Sensitive illustrations from the wonderful Sam Usher enhance the text. In her research Fargher drew on the true stories of animals caught up in war. The Author’s Note at the end of the book explains some of the historical facts behind the story, and could inspire further study. Highly recommended as an unusual adventure for children aged 9+that gives an insight into wartime.
