The Umbrella Mouse

That was well-written, had some great descriptions and it was interesting to see WW2 through the eyes of animals. It is set in 1944 and Pip lives with her family in an umbrella shop. Unfortunately, a bomb destroys it and she is left orphaned. Her plan is to travel, with the first umbrella every made, to Italy to find the remaining members of her family. The journey is extremely hazardous but with the help of the Animal Resistance she makes her way to France. It does use the French word 'batard' which is disappointing and unnecessary. Aimed at yr5+

It was amazing we got to read about an umbrella shop that got blown up by a bomb and followed her on her journey to Italy to find her mothers family in the umbrella museum in northern Italy. I loved that she joined the Noah’s Ark to fight against the Nazi animals.

A powerful story about the life of animals during WWII. Who knew that whilst the humans were busy fighting the Nazi invasions so too were Churchill’s secret army of animals.
This story deals with loss, war and friendship.

I thoughtful umbrella mouse is a great book for people who want to dive deep down into world war 2 because Pip a mouse as sadly lost her house family and life sending her on a perilous quest to get to enemy predatory Italy.

This is a unique story based on the resistance movement during the Second World War told from the perspective of animals. Fargher makes reference to wartime events in an accessible way throughout. The reader is rooting for Pip and is fully drawn into the story. A great read which I would recommend to pupils in Years 5 and 6 and above.

It was really good! Hans was my favourite. Yes I would recommend it

The story follows a group of animals working for the animal resistance in WW2, helping the allies to defeat the Nazis. Each character is so well written and you are drawn into a world where it is totally believable that animals can talk and communicate and that they also had their own role to play in fighting against the Nazis. Pigeons are key but all sorts of other animals emerge throughout the story - most notably the ‘Umbrella mouse’ Pip, who becomes the central character and demonstrates so many character virtues that we should all aspire to have. There is espionage, friendship and betrayal and myself and my daughter became so invested in the characters. It allowed us both to discuss different aspects of WW2 and as a history teacher I particularly loved it and recommend it to all my Y7 & Y8 students. It is not without its more difficult parts. The author does not shy away from the harsh realities of the Blitz or the lengths the Nazis would go to. I would say that it is suitable from age 9 or for a mature younger reader. Book 2 is also excellent!

I would recommend it. It is a bit sad, but good!

I really loved this book, I rate it 5/5. I thought it was such a inspiring, lovely book that pulled me in on the first chapter. My favourite person was Pip because she did not deserve what happened to her and she went through so much in this story. I would definitely recommend!

This book is set in 1944, during WW2 and is based on the resistance in France. A group of fictional animals join forces to form a group called Noah's Ark and plan to sabotage communication lines, supply chains and train journeys across France in a bid to stop the German army advancing through Europe. The author, Anna Fargher, became fascinated by the resistance when she was told of stories of her grandfather who was helped by them when his plane was shot down over France. During her research she also became very interested in the 'army' of animals that helped the war effort, some of them being awarded the Dicken medal for their bravery. The majority of characters are based on people and animals that Anna came across during her research. I found the story difficult to get into as I didn't see where it was taking me, however I persevered and once I understood what was happening I enjoyed the it. I would suggest that book be suitable for upper KS2.

Loved the WW2 side to this- would teach children a lot about the war.

Highly recommend this book. Was a good read

Easy read adventure with some great characters that help a brave mouse against the backdrop of the Second World War. Historically accurate but with the story being told through the lives of animals. Recommended as an alternative to the traditional texts shared with children when studying WWII.

This book was fantastic! (even though it was a bit sad at the end). I loved it so much because it was such an exciting story and it was all about animals! I couldn't choose my favourite character because I loved them all! I would definitely recommend this book to animal lovers and people who like tension and excitement.

I loved this book it was filled with aventure and dramatic sad paragraphs my favourite character was pip the mouse because she's so cute, funny and very brave.

Her description of it was amazing it brought it alive in my head.

This book was a amazing adventure book about a little mouse called Pip . Pip loses her home due to a bomb in world war and joins Noahs Ark, a team of animal helping to win the war.

This book is set in WWII. The main protagonist in this book is a small, but brave, mouse called Pip. Her home in London is bombed and she must go and find her family in Italy. She gets the France with the help of a rat called Hans. She lives with Noah's Ark, a group of animals that help fight in the war. Will her friends be able to help her? THis book is based on true WWII stories.

I absolutely loved this book! My favourite characters were Pip Hanway, Dickin, Madame Fourcade and Henri! Pip Hanway is a little umbrella mouse whose parents were killed by a bomb. Dickin is a search and rescue dog who helps Pip search for her mum and dad. Madame Fourcade is a hedgehog and the leader of a group of animals, trying to fight against Hitler and the Nazis, called Noah’s Ark. Henri is a stag and one of the members of Noah’s Ark. At first Pip’s only goal was to get to Gignese and find the last of her family, but then she realises she wants to help Noah’s Ark to stop Hitler and his army.

The umbrella mouse is a book that took place in the war the shop where Pip Hanway lived had been bombed, so she needed to get to Gignese to find the only family she had left. Along the way Pip decided to help Noah’s ark end the war.

Great story about the war, being told through the perspective of a mouse. Would recommend this book!

The Umbrella Mouse is all about the 2nd World War. Which is quite fitting since that is my topic when I go back to school!

My sibling read it first then I did, we are both on the sequel and both want to finish it first!

I loved this book because it is set in world war two and inspired me to love this time in history. My favourite character was Pip the mouse because she is brave and determined to help win the war. I would recommend this to others because it shows animals can be amazing and saving friends is kind.

I would definitely recommend The Umbrella Mouse because it is really amazing and has lot's of twists to it which makes it exciting. The main character is Pip and she makes lot's of new friends on her way to freedom and as the story go's on it get's more and more exciting. Luckily there is a follow on called "Umbrella Mouse to the rescue".

An enjoyable read with my son, aged 8. He was gripped and loved it but I found it quite difficult to follow at times and a little slow moving in places. Needed quite a lot of explanation for my son, so maybe more suitable for slightly older children.

I loved the Umbrella Mouse because I never really thought about how animals might have been helping the war and the plot was so intriguing and unique. My favourite character is torn between so many but if I had to say one I would choose Pip. I would 100% recommend this to someone else who loves adventure, a bit of sadness and the past.

I loved this book. WW2 is one of my favourite topics to learn about so this different angle on it was really interesting and clever. The beginning of the book, into the middle, was my favourite part; the moments of OH NO! or NOOO! were so unexpected and one moment made me actually cry! Not many books get me like that but this did.
I’m afraid I couldn’t give the book 5 stars due to the ending of the book. For me, there was almost too much action that I lost a sense of the characters that I’d become so invested in. However, overall, this is a fantastic book! Ordered the sequel straight away.

A captivating tale of bravery, friendship and heart stopping adventure. Rooting for Pip and her friends all the way through the story. An animals perspective of WW2.

Loved this historical fiction - with animals! Description is so engaging.

I like this book they have made it that people and animals are in a war, but the people don’t now it. My favourite character is GI Joe the pigeon. What’s interesting about this book is that people don’t no that animals are helping them.