The Country Mouse and the City Mouse; The Fox and the Crow; The Dog and His Bone

by Patricia M. Scarry, Richard Scarry (Illustrator)

Annie Mouse lived quietly in the country. One day her friend from the city came to visit her — Annie was delighted!

The country mouse decides she prefers her simple, but safe life in the country, flattery causes a crow to lose her piece of cheese, and greed causes a dog to drop his bone in a stream.

A re-telling of three well-known fables involving animals, now retold by Patricia Scarry and illustrated by Richard Scarry. This work includes The dog and his bone and The fox and the crow.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Fiction, Classics, Animals, Fantasy, Kids

22 pages, Board book

First published January 1, 1961

About the author

Wife of author-illustrator Richard Scarry, Patsy often collaborated with him and with other children's books creators.

Reviews

[Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contained 3 short stories

The Country Mouse and the City Mouse, a clear retelling of a Tale of Two Cities, shortened and made easier to comprehend for those not willing to put in the work. I appreciate only the 2 mice, Annie and Melissa, being named. Annie's friends being unnamed actually gives more weight to the betrayal when she leaves for the city. Similarly shows what sort of people they are to not pipe up on her return. The cat and the dog both being such big players while not getting any screen time for THEM is smart as well. I believe, and this is just me, that Melissa is genuinely trying to help her friend, and Annie is stuck in some Country Cult situation. Alas this is the only book in the series. I wish it could've had some more room to breath.

The Fox and the Crow, I originally thought it was the story of a woman unable to connect with people. She was mean and arrogant and eventually got what she deserved when the Fox tricked her into dropping her cheese. But on my 8th read through I realized I had it flipped. This was a book retelling of Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun". Crow was having fun with her cheese. Even though it was at the expense of many people's hope for said cheese, they had unreal expectations in their hopes to eat it. Crow was having fun, until of course the Patriarchy (Fox) came and ruined her day. And he did it the slyest way ever, a compliment. I very much enjoyed this story.

The Dog and His Bone, I have little to say on this story. Partly because it's 2 pages long, but moreso because it's a retelling of my favorite Greek fable. The Dog is Narcissus, clearly. And I just don't think it's a better retelling, just read the original.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful, whimsical stories that are perfect for even very young children.

[Nik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why would you want to go to the City? It's awful.

[Elina Mäkitalo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aivan ihana satu, ja tätä on tullut luettua myös pienenä tai minulle on tätä luettu.

[Dbgirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s three tales in one book. The Country Mouse and the City Mouse being clearly the best one, and lovely. It tells a nice little story about how the little mouse had a visitor from a city and the city mouse doesn’t like to be in the country at all so she invited country mouse to her residence in the city. She accepts the invitation and the adventure is quite eventful. That’s when she learn she doesn’t have to be ashamed of her own place.

Fox and the crow is a good cautionary tale.

The dog and his bone is good but the language in it… Couldn’t happen nowadays :D

[Jil Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ordered this book after hearing Natalie Portman mention it in an interview for the American Library Association. I forgot how much I enjoyed each of the short stories in this book. Not only d9 they entertain but they have moral and reflective messages which are cause for pause.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Golden Book has three fables in one, all illustrated by Patricia M. Scarry. I love the Scarry's work! The fables progress in order from longest to shortest and all are enjoyable even if you don't want to do deep dives into morals after.

[ImaanAli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the city mouse

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Country Mouse and The City Mouse

This is such a terrific story for kids or the kid at heart. It is a book that is sure to be one that you can enjoy reading again and again.

[Little Seesaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells three tales which all have very good little lessons.

[Blandine Damtse · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a good book Goodreads choosers

[Jill Lesley Malinouskas-Negro · Rating 5 out of 5]

A personal childhood favorite.

[Rachel Renbarger · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poignant tale as old as time

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This also explains the importance of being a mouse. Mouse lives matter.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely version with 3 stories in one book. I love golden books...
These stories take me back to my child hood.
We read some stories over and over.

[Marjorie]

89 cents
207-55

[Antoinette Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

This delightful tale of a country and city mouse discovering new things together is beautifully tied together in The Country Mouse and the City Mouse; The Fox and the Crow; The Dog and His Bone. The main message of this book is that despite differences, there are always new perspectives and things to learn from others. The city mouse and country mouse are at odds to begin with, as are two different people with different perspectives, however through cooperation and friendship the two learn something new about one another and themselves. Discovering one's own self through the experiences that are offered through others is a central theme to this story. Readers gain a useful lesson from this book, never discredit a person or perspective before you fully understand it. Young readers can better appreciate other people after reading this book, which makes it an excellent instructional book for the classroom. Diversity can be introduced to young students through this book, as they learn the uniqueness of different beliefs, customs, and cultures.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

In our summer reading quest of country mouse vs city mouse, this is the second review in the books. We debated on this one 4 / 5 stars. Little said 5 mama said 4 ... so 4 1/2 would be the best ...

This story gave more about the scary part of the city for the country mouse visit. The mice were female,which while the 2nd in so many books for this summer, female mice have not been the norm in this story.

This book had more stories but we stayed just int he country and city.

You never know what is out the in the great big world, enjoy where you are but venture out and check things out, you can always go back home.

[Rebecca Snodgrass · Rating 4 out of 5]

The country mouse and the city mouse told a story about always trying something new even if you don't like it. It's okay. At least you tried it. The fox and the crow told a story about not always believing what you hear because it may be a lie. I didn't really like this story. The dog and the bone tells a story about not being greedy because it is never a good thing. Be happy with what you have.

[Jocelin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did a little babysitting tonight and I had this delightful little story read to me by my good friend's little 3 year old boy. He did a great job of conveying the spirit of the story. It was a great bedtime story and I loved having it read to me. This is the wonderful power of reading stories at bedtime; it releases the wonder of being a child and the true "magic" of imagination. Great read; sweet and simple.

[Theresa Akins]

I loved this 3 story-storybook when I was a kid in the sixties. I had one of those "TV's" where you put the film strip in and it showed a picture one frame at a time on the screen. The strip would advance on it's own and as it did, you put on a record to coincide with the pictures. I also read along with a book. And the book was this one! so cute. I wish I had it for my grandkids.

[Markku Kesti · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ah niin nostalgista, mutta toisaalta ärsyttävän päälleliimattuja opetuksia, joissa ahneus ja turhamaisuus saavat palkkansa ja maalla on niiiin paljon paremmin asiat kuin kaupungissa. Ja paskat!
Mutta nostalgian voimin se toinen tähti.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the three stories in this book illustrated by Richard Scarry - of course, I enjoy pretty much any children's book illustrated by Richard Scarry! The stories are easy to read and the illustrations are vibrant.

[Dimps · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the first books I remember my parents reading to me when I was a child. I consider myself a "country mouse", however, I do like to visit the city. :)

[Ryan Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about a page turner!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book as a child.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this one many times when I was little.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like Aesop's fables, each story in this collection has a moral to teach a young reader. It's an easy recommendation to any parent.

[Don Gubler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice stories.

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Country Mouse learns to value what she has after a dangerous trip to the city. Crow learns that compliments get you nothing. Dog learns not to be greedy.