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Mouse Bird Snake Wolf Hardcover – Illustrated, May 14, 2013

by David Almond (Author), Dave McKean (Illustrator)

4.7 81 ratings

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The imagination of three children takes on unexpected life in a creation tale from the dream team of David Almond and Dave McKean.

The gods have created a world that is safe and calm and rather wonderful. They have built mountains, forests, and seas and filled the world with animals, people, and unnamed beasts. Now their days are fat with long naps in the clouds, mutual admiration, and tea and cake. But their world has gaps in it filled with emptiness, gaps that intrigue Harry, Sue, and little Ben until they begin to see what might fill them. One by one the children conjure, from twigs and leaves and stones, a mousy thing, a chirpy thing, and a twisty legless thing. But as the children’s ideas grow bolder, the power of their visions proves greater and more dangerous than they, or the gods, could ever have imagined. Is it possible to unmake what’s been made?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 2-6-In this original creation myth, set "long ago and far away, in a world rather like this one," the gods have left some things unfinished. Having created mountains, camels, people, and other phenomena, they are now prone to enjoying naps and teatime in the clouds more than work. Yet, there are "places that were filled with emptiness." Almond's potent text and McKean's otherworldly caricatures create a magic that is all-absorbing. Text and image are more tightly connected in this hybrid format than in previous collaborations. Often they are contained together in panels of varying sizes and shapes. Sometimes the words are overlaid on pictures or a sentence or paragraph is framed by the full-page composition. The design propels readers through the story of Harry, Sue, and Little Ben, who, when bored with the world they know, start imagining and then fashioning new creatures. Each animal, made from materials at hand and called to life by the children's commands, gets progressively larger and more threatening until Harry's wolf gobbles up the two older children. Realizing that the gods are no help, Ben addresses the danger by unmaking the beast and rescuing the youth within. The ending leaves an opening for trouble to rise again. Almond's mythic and folkloric elements, wrapped in his own fertile imagination, combine with McKean's expressionistic illustrations to produce a whole that reveals the beauty and terror encountered in the created world and in the human spirit.-Wendy Lukehart, District of Columbia Public Libraryα(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Almond-McKean is one of the most fertile partnerships out there, with The Savage (2008) and Slog’s Dad (2011) as ample evidence. Their latest is an original fable of creation and imagination loaded with both playfulness and darkness. It’s set in a world a bit like ours, but also not: “There were gaps and holes in it . . . places where there seemed to be nothing at all.” The gods who’d created it all had grown complacent, so one day, three children are inspired to fill a few of those holes. The youngest imagines a “kind of mousy thing,” and presto! A mouse. The sister follows suit with a “kind of birdy thing,” and the elder brother hisses a snake into existence. But there’s an even bigger, fiercer hole that needs to be filled, and together they bring a wolf to mind as the afternoon takes a ferocious turn. The contorted beauty of McKean’s figures and Almond’s intense, twisty narrative will keep readers right on the edge of comfort before the clouds clear. Along the way, they’ll be dazzled by the lush lyricism of the tale and the wild emotional swings from page to page as well as McKean’s creative use of mixed materials and compositional space. You could say that this is Almond and McKean’s most beautiful effort yet, but just know that beautiful has its own dark and wondrous meaning in their hands. Grades 2-5. --Ian Chipman

Review

Almond and McKean, the collaborators behind THE SAVAGE and SLOG'S DAD, take on themes worthy of Greek tragedy: human ambition, the emergence of evil, and the power of the individual to resist it.
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

The contorted beauty of McKean’s figures and Almond’s intense, twisty narrative will keep readers right on the edge of comfort before the clouds clear. Along the way, they’ll be dazzled by the lush lyricism of the tale and the wild emotional swings from page to page, as well as McKean’s creative use of mixed materials and compositional space. You could say that this is Almond and McKean’s most beautiful effort yet, but just know that beautiful has its own dark and wondrous meaning in their hands.
—Booklist (starred review)

An award-winning British team conjures a haunting graphic novella that shows what happens when the complacent gods stop creating things and children pick up the slack...Wild and alive, this visually extravagant fable of the marvel, power and active nature of the creative process howls at the moon.
—Kirkus Reviews

Almond’s mythic and folkloric elements, wrapped in his own fertile imagination, combine with McKean’s expressionistic illustrations to produce a whole that reveals the beauty and terror encountered in the created world and in the human spirit.
—School Library Journal

Like all good fables, this one has multiple interpretive possibilities and moral resonances, in addition to being a compelling story in its own right. McKean’s illustrations effectively complement Almond’s textual world-making... Much rich fodder for the discussion of big ideas as well as storytelling form will be found here.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

From the stunning cover art hinted at by the faux-die-cut jacket to a last glimpse of the louche and negligent gods and the wolf lurking in the darkness deep underground, a fascinating, provocative collaboration.
—The Horn Book

Almond’s imagination works potent magic in this original creation story. ... Only Almond could so clearly show mystical and imaginative acts as physical, and in a story-telling voice that’s musical, forward-moving and perfect in its surprises. Suitably, McKean’s illustrations bring raw, forceful energy into the unfinished world. Highly recommended.
—The Toronto Star

Almond and McKean have created a magical creation tale unlike any other. ... The narrative alone is a delight to read aloud but the combination of story with illustrations make this work remarkable. McKean uses a varied combination of panels and perspectives that make each page a delight.
—Library Media Connection (highly recommended)

David Almond's mythological story about children pitching in when the gods got lazy after creation, offers plenty for everyone, youngest to oldest, to discuss.
—Newsday

About the Author

David Almond is the winner of the 2010 Hans Christian Andersen Award, the most prestigious award in international children’s literature. He is known worldwide as the multi- award-winning author of Skellig, Clay, and many other novels, stories, and plays, including two previous titles illustrated by Dave McKean. David Almond lives in England.

Dave McKean is a world-renowned artist, designer, and film director who has illustrated several books for children, including Coraline, The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish, and The Wolves in the Walls, all by Neil Gaiman, and two prior titles by David Almond. Dave McKean lives in England.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Candlewick; Illustrated edition (May 14, 2013)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 80 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0763659126
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0763659127
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 7 - 10 years
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 510L
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 2 - 5
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.3 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.79 x 0.51 x 8.52 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #3,578,710 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #28,403 in Children's Folk Tales & Myths (Books)
- #37,338 in Children's Humor
- #39,283 in Children's Fantasy & Magic Books

Customer Reviews:
4.7 81 ratings

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Dave McKean
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David Almond
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David Almond is the author of Skellig, Bone Music, Island, The Savage, The Tightrope Walkers, A Song for Ella Grey, The Dam, The Colour of the Sun, and many other novels, stories, picture books, opera librettos, songs and plays. His work is translated into over 40 languages and is widely adapted for stage and screen. His innovative, boundary-breaking work is loved by readers of all ages, and receives widespread critical acclaim. His major awards include The Carnegie Medal, two Whitbreads, The Michael L Printz Award, Le Prix Sorcieres, The Nonino International Prize, The James Kruss Award and the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize. In 2010 he received the Hans Christian Andersen Award, the world's most prestigious prize for children's authors. He is Emeritus Professor of Creative Writing at Bath Spa University. He lives on the North East coast. In 2021 he received an OBE for services to literature.
Go to David's website: www.davidalmond.com
‘There really is nobody quite like Almond writing in children’s or adult’s fiction today.’ The Times
‘A writer of visionary, Blakean intensity.’ The Times.
‘It is impossible not to be swept up in the power of his storytelling.’ Daily Telegraph
‘A master storyteller.’ The Independent.
‘David Almond’s books are strange, unsettling wild things – unfettered by the normal constraints of children’s literature. They are, like all great literature, beyond classification.’ The Guardian
See more on the author's page

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5

81 global ratings

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Amazon Customer

Awesome find

Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2019

Great book!

beautiful illustrations, fun text

Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2015

Verified Purchase

This is a fabulous story with Dave McKean's illustrations. A fun book for any age

Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2014

Verified Purchase

The illustrations are incredible and the story is very well written.

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Debra Sabah Press

5 year old twins and I were completely sucked into this profound story about the depths and complexity ...

Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2016

My 5.5 year old twins and I were completely sucked into this profound story about the depths and complexity of who we are. The stunning artwork certainly doesn't hurt!

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LitKidz

Profound and important book.

Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2014

This is a stunning and profound book. If you can put aside your own creation beliefs, the book presents a thought-provoking look at our own creative power, as well as our own responsibility for the world we live in.. yet this book never preaches at children, simply offers an example to contemplate. It would be great for parents and children to read this together. reviewed on litkidz.com

One person found this helpful

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motheranddaughterduo

A cool book for mischevious kids

Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2013

I like how the book is written; it is cool. The kids make things that they are not supposed to. That is just like me! I like how the gods are thoughtful, too. The pictures look like they are cut out and there are lots of details. The empty spaces are interesting. (This review actually written by my 7 year old daughter who has sent me online to reserve other books like this at the library.)

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Chris R.

Unconventional and charming

Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2013

Verified Purchase

Great art and unique story. Make sure to look into the author and subject of this one because it isn't for the average reader/family. I loved it a lot and am giving it 4 stars because there were moments when I was uncertain of the motivations.
Must read if you are open to unconventional childhood themes.

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Deb Nance at Readerbuzz

Almond never disappoints

Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2013

Verified Purchase

David Almond has yet to disappoint me. He is always writing new books that set my little brain to whirring. This new story is no exception. A thoughtful little tale.

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jh

Fabulous book for 8 year olds.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 2, 2022

Verified Purchase

We based our English for Years 3 and 4 on this book - the children and adults loved it!

gk47

hinreißend

Reviewed in Germany on December 6, 2015

Verified Purchase

bin ein absoluter Fan von Dave McKean, und die Bilder sind auch hier wieder großartig. Insofern würde mir das Buch schon alleine deswegen gefallen. Aber die Geschichte, die mit Langeweile und Ausprobieren beginnt und dann eben - trotz des Eingreifens der Götter - nicht wirklich ein happy-end hat, sondern wo die Früchte des eigenen Tuns, in diesem Fall Erfindens bzw. Erschaffens in der Welt bleiben ... Wenn man möchte, könnte man darüber fast hinwegsehen - weil es so beunruhigend ist. Schön subtil.

Kann man sicher auch mit Kindern lesen. Vermutlich können sich manche Kinder auch alleine damit beschäftigen und sich so ihre Gedanken machen. Aber m.E. eindeutig auch eine Kurzgeschichte für Erwachsene - wie gesagt, mit ganz wunderbaren Bildern.

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Amazon Customer

For those who think out of the box!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 15, 2017

Verified Purchase

Book in good order, strange illustrations, weird story. Takes a lot of explaining to Year 3 children (7-8 year olds). Even I struggled to understand the story that was intentionally 'written on many levels' as described by CLPE. I must be a low level reader with narrow views as I don't like the story or the illustrations. Despite being incredibly positive with my class of 30 children only 21 children are enjoying some of it, 8 don't get it and haven't enjoyed it at all. Speaking to my year group partner (assuming it was just my class who didn't like it) in the other class almost all of her class aren't enjoying it at all (26 out of 30).

One person found this helpful

Georgio

Easy and interesting to read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 13, 2020

Verified Purchase

My 7 years old son had the book as a school project.
He enjoyed reading it and was captivated about how all the story is being presented in the book.
He found the drawings interesting and quite different of what he had encountered so far and the book inspired him into creating a beautiful description about the Gods and how they shaped the world 🗺

Andrew Buckle

... from Dave McKean (who is definitely one of the greatest British artists of our times)

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 18, 2017

Verified Purchase

Yet another superb book from David Almond but for me the real masterpiece is the artwork from Dave McKean (who is definitely one of the greatest British artists of our times)

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