Three Terrible Trins

by Dick King-Smith, Mark Teague (Illustrator)

Within the walls and under the floorboards of Orchard Farmhouse live three mischievous mouse brothers (a.k.a. the trins) who create constant commotion. "With his customary panache, King-Smith grabs the reader's attention from his opening sentence. And, sustaining his understated wit and rollicking pace throughout this breezy novel, the author never loosens his grip."--Publisher's Weekly. Illustrations.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Animals, Middle Grade, Fantasy, Adventure, Cats

112 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1994

About the author

Dick King-Smith was born and raised in Gloucestershire, England, surrounded by pet animals. After twenty years as a farmer, he turned to teaching and then to writing children's books.

Dick writes mostly about animals: farmyard fantasy, as he likes to call it, often about pigs, his special favorites. He enjoys writing for children, meeting the children who read his books, and knowing that they get enjoyment from what he does.

Among his well-loved books is Babe, The Gallant Pig, which was recently made into a major motion picture, and was nominated for an Academy Award.

Dick lived with his wife in a small 17th-century cottage, about three miles from the house where he was born.

Reviews

[Christine]

DNF. The writing was dry and didn't keep my sons attention.

[Erin]

This was a charming story of three brother mice and their thrice-widowed mother mouse. Mrs. Gray decides that her three sons are not going to go the way of her former three husbands, and the three mouse boys are courageous and strong. But I love that they're not just brawny mice. They're also clever and daring in the ways they try to get the cat out of the house, and they are also accepting of Kevin, the cellar-mouse. In short, they are very upstanding mice. King-Smith really hammers the acceptance concept pretty hard, also through the farmer's wife, who loves all the animals equally. This book reminds me of that story of belling the cat, or also the Rescuers.
I would think this would appeal mostly to the younger end of our spectrum - kids in the upper elementary grades. Both boys and girls should like this one. There's adventure and daring, sports, as well as a little romance and class conflict.
Death. Mouse sexual innuendo. Firearms.

[Tricia]

Isabelle picked this one out. I thought it might be good because it is by the same author as Babe. This has been such a fun read and all the kids are loving it.

Ok, so this was a fun book. I enjoyed reading it to the kids enough that I wanted to know more as much as they did. Definitely one I would recommend. Nice, short read.

[Ashleigh Cutler]

This book stayed with me. That's the highest praise I can give any book. That even without having it, I still remember the story fondly, the characters, and the overall amusement of it. The Trins were just amusing to me, Kevin's point of view as well. I enjoyed this book overall and one day might replace it.

[Rebecca Cairo]

I’m sorry to say it but this ATE. It’s revolutionary mice who engage in psychological and guerilla warfare against the cats that hunt them down. They also break apart the classism that has formed amongst the different mice clans.

I loved the drama (tea), how real and fleshed out the world felt, and the amazing illustrations!

[Katie]

This is one of the best opening sentences ever!

"At six o'clock on the morning of her birthday, Mrs. Gray's husband was killed and eaten.

It was her first birthday, and he was her third husband."

[Nina📖]

Was for school but I liked it.

[Dorry]

Such a sweet and fun story. I grinned and laughed. It was quite an experience.

[Jessica Ponder]

This is a quirky book, but my boys loved it. A meandering ordinary story that was an offbeat, but fun bedtime read aloud.

[Yael]

Childhood reread to transition from the book before. Very cute and silly.

[Abraham]

At first, I got a bit of a Miss Havisham vibe, considering the way Mrs. Gray used her kids to get back at the cats that killed her husband. Then it felt like she was an overbearing soccer parent, pushing the kids to train every day in dogged pursuit of her dreams. Then it felt like "My Fair Lady," only with Mr. Doolittle marrying Professor Higgins and having a litter.

[Rea]

My younger brother enjoyed this one more than I did (I was more partial to Horse Pie). It could be that this particular story is aimed more at young boys rather than young girls, or it could just have been my own personal tastes.

However, we did read this one several times together, and it certainly went down very well with him.

[Chris]

It was a very enjoyable, funny and really well-written children's novel. It had really well done illustrations, great characters, very good humor and a very good story. I haven't read this book since it was published in 1994. It's one of the best and shortest Dick King-Smith books I've ever read in my whole life. It should be really enjoy for children and adults alike.

[Josiah]

The plot to this book is often humorous, with an antagonist who is very easy to rally against, and there are some very deftly-written moments to it. Dick King-Smith has done a commendable job in the creation of this story.

[Sarah]

Fun quick read...good vs. evil, good overcoming evil, humor

[Avalon]

The mice know how to keep the cats out of the house so they will stay alive and will have a happy home.

[Elanor]

I really loved this book when I was little! I had forgotten about it till now, tho.

[Bob]

I recommend this book to younger children. I loved it when i was 5 and when i read it years later i found it boring.

[Michelle]

funny-cute little story about farm life with cats

[Debbie]

mouse story

[Yz]

A nice book. The plot was engaging, and the writing was unusually hilarious.

Visit my site: http://disappointmentsea.blogspot.com/ for more reviews!

[Miss Amanda]

gr 3-5 103pgs


Fantasy, mice. After Mrs. Gray's husband is eaten by the cat, she is determined to raise her triplets ("trins"): Richard, Henry, and Thomas to be cat fighters.

[Chrisann Justice]

I discovered Dick King Smith's books when looking for chapter books to read to Joseph and Alex. We loved every single one we read together!

[Cynthia Egbert]

Even mice can be empowered with a wee bit of hard work, exercise, and awareness. This one is adorable and could lead to some great discussions with children.

[Aruna Kumar Gadepalli]

Easy and quick read good for the grade 2+. Filled with and adventures of mice.

[Mellanie C]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13118411

[Joseph]

Favorite book from third grade.