The Inquisitive Harvest Mouse, 1951 (DJ)

The Inquisitive Harvest Mouse is the 1st in the ‘Animal Stories’ series, 497.   As with the other books in this series, it was written by Noel Barr and illustrated by Percy Hickling.

This is a storybook intended to be read to young children.  Most of the stories deal with ‘naughty’ animals and the lessons they learn by the end of the book. The Inquisitive Harvest Mouse is no exception; the titular animal is held accountable for his temporary period in captivity – the result of his inquisitive nature.  At the same time, it is really young Susan Brown who learns that animals like the mouse are happier in the wild, rather than in a cardboard box.

This  copy still has its original dustwrapper, although it’s rather creased and rumpled on the back, as the photos show.  There are chips and nibbles to the DJ edges and a 2 inch tear near the head of the spine.  Under the DJ, the book boards are clean and fresh as are the pages – including the blue open-winged endpapers – and this copy would suit someone who prefers pre-1965 (DJ) copies of their Ladybird books.