Quick little ditty – not about Jack and Diane, but about Huxley, the mouse who stars in a Starbucks featured book for kids welcoming the 2010 holiday season. The rumor is that the story was written and illustrated by Bucks’ Baristas which if true deserves a tip of the cup to their in-house talent.
The tale is about a mouse who pens stories for his own enjoyment recording them in a red notebook, which he loses one day prompting him to come out from beneath the stairs in search of it. To make a short story shorter, once discovered he’s adopted by the family and wins over the cat, mom and dad with his delectable writing skills and penmanship.
Much like cartoons, there are hidden messages for adults in children’s books like The Mouse Writer, not the least of which is the techo-tension between the abandonment of handwriting and organizational skills on paper to the power of the mouse. As much as I love little independent bookstores, hats off to Starbucks for their addition to the literature and timely as well as timeless messages that Huxley’s story brings.
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Ah! So the pen may indeed be mightier than the mouse!
Indeed, Samantha! Mightier than even Mighty Mouse. Interestingly got the November issue of The Dana Foundation’s “Brain in the News” (www.dana.org. but don’t see the onilne version up yet) – and it cites an article from the Wall Street Journal on October 5 regarding how handwriting trains the brain.
Where can i buy this book? I have not been able to find it anywhere……
It’s sold at all Starbucks stores.
What a thoughtful review. I’m the one who wrote The Mouse Writer, and I am a Starbucks partner. However, I’m not a barista; I’m a writer in Starbucks creative studio. Check out the story below to learn more about me, Huxley and Starbucks.
http://www.mynorthwest.com/category/news_chick_blog/20101129/A-mouse-in-the-Starbucks-empire/?page=0#comments
Thanks for setting me straight, Ethan. Narrow-minded of me to think that all Starbucks employees were baristas. My compliments again on creating a wonderful story, and best wishes to you and your family for a wonderful holiday season with an impending newborn!
Thanks, and best wishes to you as well.
I have seen this at just one tiny Starbucks… but there is also a darling little Huxley mouse to purchase as well!
Yes, Martha. The plush little mouse is a cute companion to his book!
Christmas is over; I bought the mouse for my 87-year-old mother who collects mice and now she wants the storybook. Where can I purchase a copy of this story? I called every store in Des Moines today and no luck!
I’ve seen it still available in our local Starbucks locations here. Try the Starbucks Store online or eBay.