Anatole

Anatole by Eve Titus, illustrated by Paul Galdone

AnatoleAnatole is a happy mouse who lives with his wife and children in a mouse village not far from Paris.  Each evening, mice from the village travel to Paris (by bicycle) to human homes to get food.

One night, while he is in a house finding food, Anatole overhears humans talking about how horrible mice are – dirty thieves who take food and cause nibbled food to be thrown out.  Anatole is deeply upset by this.  His good friend tells him that is just the way things are – that humans are humans and mice are mice – and not to let it bother him.

 

“But I never dreamed they regarded us this way,” cried the unhappy Anatole.  “It is horrible to feel scorned and unwanted!  Where is my self-respect?  My pride?  MY HONOR?”

Anatole’s wife understands his shock, and wishes there was a way to give the humans something in return for the food — which gives Anatole an idea.

The next night, instead of raiding houses like the other mice, Anatole goes to the Duval Cheese Factory, and finds his way to the Cheese Tasting Room.  He spends a long time there, carefully tasting each cheese and leaving little signs saying if the cheese is good – or if not what would improve it.  Finally, feeling that he has done honorable work, Anatole takes some cheese home to his family.

The next day, the humans in the cheese factory are surprised by the notes, but realize that this Anatole is correct in his judgements of the cheese.  They try his advice in making cheese.  Every night Anatole goes to work tasting cheese and leaving his opinions.  The humans want to know who is helping them, and leave a note asking to meet him.  Anatole replies that he prefers to remain unknown.  Eventually, the humans leave another note – proclaiming Anatole ‘First Vice-President in Charge of Cheese-Tasting’ and offering him as much cheese (and French Bread, and pastries) as he would like, whenever he would like.

And so, Anatole continues working at the cheese factory – an honorable profession – and becomes “the happiest, most contented mouse in all France.”

This is a sweet, slightly old fashioned book, written in 1956.  The illustrations are black and white – and red and blue.  Who knows, it could lead to interesting discussions with children on honor, or on working for something.

8 Comments

  1. Reshama on August 8, 2013 at 1:14 pm

    What a wonderful story and a lovely review! I would love to read this to DD. Honor is quite a complex value and its great to have a story to exemplify it. Thanks for sharing this on Kid Lit Blog Hop.
    -Reshama @StackingBooks.com

    • bookwormbear on August 9, 2013 at 9:50 pm

      Thanks for stopping by from the Kid Lit Blog Hop! Honor is a tough but important one – as is self-respect. I hope you enjoy the book.

  2. Katy K. on August 9, 2013 at 3:36 pm

    Aww!!! I read this as a child and had forgotten all about it until you reviewed it. I really should look it up again to share with my kids.

    • bookwormbear on August 9, 2013 at 9:52 pm

      I read this as a child, too, and was so happy to find a copy to read to my children. Thanks for stopping by.

  3. Tina on August 10, 2013 at 8:09 am

    This book sounds wonderful! It reminds me of Library Mouse. I love the theme of honor and hard work! Thanks for sharing this review. I found you at the Kid Lit Blog Hop. I also host a weekly link-up on Thursdays for all things book related at my site, mommynificent.com. I’d love for you to join us anytime! Here’s this week’s link if you’re interested: http://mommynificent.com/2013/08/08/booknificent-thursday-link-up-party-5/
    Have a magnificent week!
    Tina

    • bookwormbear on August 23, 2013 at 5:36 pm

      Thanks for stopping by from the Kid Lit Blog Hop! And, thanks for letting me know about your Thursday weekly link-up! I’ll check it out.

  4. Cheryl Carpinello on August 10, 2013 at 11:04 pm

    Been a long time since I read this book, but I remember it well. Thanks for the memories! Cheryl, Kid Lit Blog Hop hostess.

    • bookwormbear on August 23, 2013 at 5:34 pm

      Thanks for stopping by from, and hosting, the Kid Lit Blog Hop!

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