The Princess Mouse: A Tale of Finland

by Aaron Shepard

Book Overview

This engaging retelling of a folktale from Finland begins as Mikko begins his search for a bride by following the tradition of cutting down a tree and following the direction the fallen tree points. But Mikko's tree points toward the deep dark woods. Fate surprises Mikko when he meets the most unusual of sweethearts there. Full-color illustrations.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0689829124
• ISBN13: 9780689829123
• Release Date: February 2003
• Publisher: Atheneum Books
• Length: 1 Pages
• Weight: 0.99 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.8" x 11.3"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Kindergarten to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

The Princess Mouse: Reader Review

In Finland, it is tradition for men to choose their brides by cutting down a tree and walking in the direction it points until they find their true love. When Mikko, a farmer's son, cuts down his tree, it points into the forest where the only talking being he comes across is a friendly mouse. The mouse convinces Mikko to let her be his sweetheart, but when the wedding day arrives, the guests are astonished by his choice. His scoffing older brother throws the mouse into the river. Suddenly, the creature turns into a princess and after the wedding ceremony, takes Mikko back to her castle to live. Aaron Shepard's book is an endearing love story that teaches readers not to look solely on a person's outward appearance. The story is simply yet well written and the illustrations are both unique and appropriate for the Scandinavian setting. Children and adults alike would enjoy this folktale.

How to find a wife? Cut down and tree and go where it points

"The Princess Mouse: A Tale of Finland" begins with a simple premise, which is that in Mikko's family when young men get to the age when it is time for them to marry they find their future brides by cutting down a tree and following it points. It so happens that in this particular farm family the two sons are old enough to marry so the father instructs them to follow the family tradition, declaring, "That's how we've done it, and that's how we always well." The older son knows exactly who he wants to marry and cuts down the true so that it points right to her door, but when the younger son, Mikko, cuts down his tree it points into the deep forest. His brother mocks him, wondering if Mikko's sweetheart will be a wolf or a fox. But Mikko walks off into the forest declaring "I'll find who I find."What Mikko finds is a mouse who is more than happy to be his sweetheart. Strangely enough, Mikko agrees and returns home to tell his father he has found a sweetheart. The tale now becomes interesting because Mikko's father has arranged a series of tests for the sweethearts of his two sons to take to prove their worth (do not ask why, you know what the father will say). From the title of the this story being told by Aaron Shepard you can probably guess how it is going to turn out in the end, but that does not distract all that much from the charm of this tale which is illustrated by Leonid Gore. You have many of the traditional elements of such folktales, but there are some nice unexpected twists that will delight readers of all ages. Shepherd based his retelling of this tale mostly on story of "The Forest Bride," which I actually prefer as a title, but also on the story of "The Mouse Bride." In the back of the book you will find the simple music for "The Song of the Princess Mouse," written by Shepard. In fact, if you visit Shepard's homepage you can find not only a recording of the tune for this song but a reader's theater script along with another test of the brothers' sweethearts. So there are some nice resources to go with this folktale for teachers to use. Shepard has authored other folktales, including "The Maiden of Northland: A Hero Tale of Finland."