Squeak Street by Emily Rodda illustrated by Andrew McLean

Easy Fiction Treasures

This is a series of books that are 

perfect to read aloud

In 2002 Emily Rodda wrote the picture book Squeak Street illustrated by Andrew McLean.  In 2005 she developed this original story into a series of ten little chapter books each one with 58 pages and again illustrated by Andrew McLean.

This whole series is perfect to read aloud to a class of children in Kindergarten or Grade One. You could read one story each day for two school weeks.  The stories have all the ingredients - they are funny, there is a little tension and everything works out beautifully at the end. I also love the way each of the ten mouse has his or her own personality and talent/hobby.

Each book begins with a list of the ten characters.

Old Bun lives in Number One.

His piles of gold shine like the sun.

One-Shoe lives in Number Two

With precious things he'll show to you.

Fee-Fee lives in Number Three

With her enormous family.

Pink-Paw lives in Number Four.

She paints until her paws are sore.

Fat Clive cooks in Number Five.

He makes us glad to be alive.

Quick-Sticks lives in Number Six.

His band is called the Squeaky Chicks.

Kevin lives in Number Seven

He thinks old cars are simply heaven.

Tails the Great, in Number Eight,

Spooks us into an awful state.

Adeline in Number Nine,

Builds boats - all to her own design.

And post-mouse Ben, in Number Ten,

Is resting his poor feet again.

Every school and public library should have this set of books and the original picture book. The little individual books I have shown here are out of print but luckily the publisher has released two compilation volumes and there is also an audio version.  Here is a set of brilliant teachers notes. Take a look because these notes also include a synopsis of each story. If you have a young child or a junior class I highly recommend you hunt out these stories.