She wanted to write the story of the mice, and to illustrate their story, decided to build and photograph the dioramas, which are made from cardboard boxes, papier-mache, fabric, and recycled materials.
In The Mouse Mansion: Sam and Julia, readers can enjoy a collection of 17 anecdotes about Sam, a shy young mouse, and Julia, who loves exploring.
Sam and Julia are great friends who complement each other.
They love discovering new things about where they live, like the perfect hiding spot for their box of treasures.
They help Sam's grandma make pancakes and his mum to do the laundry. Only child Julia learns what it's like to have baby brothers and sisters.
Sam and Julia have many adventures together, and it's the incredible dioramas of their home that really make this book and bring them to life. There is so much detail in the setting and lots to prompt young imaginations.
It took Karina Schaapman, who lives in The Netherlands, four years to finish building the first Mouse Mansion, which has 100 rooms, and she's since built another.
Visit The Mouse Mansion online to learn more (including how you can make your own). If you're in Europe, you can also see The Mouse Mansion in person on display in the Amsterdam public library and via The Mouse Mansion Shop and Studio.
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| The second Mouse Mansion (image credit: www.themousemansion.com/blog/) |
Author/illustrator: Karina Schaapman
Publisher: Allen & Unwin, $29.99
Publication Date: December 2019
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781760876760
For ages: 4 - 8
Type: Picture book
