The Story of Jumping Mouse: A Caldecott Honor Award Winner

Wonderfully inspiring story! Very nice art. A pleasure to read and share.

This is an incredibly beautiful story teaching children about giving to others things that are important to Jumping Mouse. The only weakness is that every time I read this I choke up at the end. Pass the kleenex, please! Kids, adults, all ages will be touched.

Among the many beautiful books created by John Steptoe, this book is surprising and unique. The large format spreads are filled with detailed drawings that bring us right into another world. No, wait: It's OUR world — the natural world — presented here on an intimate, kid-sized scale. When in nature, we inhale the freshness of life. Invite the children in your life to climb into "The Story of Jumping Mouse“ — to absorb a simple, deep and important message about difference and self-acceptance.

I first heard this little story when it as read by a teacher during a three-month silent meditation retreat, and it's a beautiful exploration of compassion in action and of non-grasping. Anyone doing tonglen practice might find it very much to the point. And with its pictures, it's lovely for children.I'm not sure how a Native American might feel about yet another appropriation by white people of a Native American story, but I am grateful for the depth of the story might have for all human beings.

I read this story in elementary school and I’m glad to get it for my 3 MO nephew to read to him when he’s old enough. It’s a beautiful story with fantastic artwork.

I have treasured this story in my heart since I was a child. To be honest, as a kid I did not like the ending. I remember feeling sad that (spoiler alert!) the little mouse became an eagle. I much preferred him as a cute little mouse! However, as I got older, the meaning of the story became clearer to me. The simplicity and beauty of this tale of self-sacrifice, courage, and faith never fails to move me. I recently purchased a copy as a gift for my best friend's new baby and hope she loves it as I have.

One of my favorite folk tales, this is the story of a brave little mouse who breaks out of mousy stereotypes and takes a journey to find his real self. He gets some help along the way as he moves from his small, limited existence, to soaring adulthood. In the days when few read and there were no books, the wise elders told these stories to help children understand about the challenges life would bring to them. Later, these tales were collected and now they can be shared; a great and abiding gift.

"Jumping Mouse, I give you a new name..." I found this wonderful book by complete accident when I was at a POW WOW in Indio, California. It was in soft cover and I had to have it in hard cover. How I adore the black and white drawings which give another dimension to the meaning of the story. Jumping Mouse had courage, hope and boundless compassion that transformed him into a creature he never thought he would ever become. But then, he did not set out on the journey thinking he would receive a reward. He simply wanted to see the Far Off Land. I intend to purchase more hard covers of this book to give as gifts to my friends. Truly, one of the most magical stories I have ever read in my life.

This book is breathtaking. The story and illustrations are amazing.

Thoroughly enjoyed reading the book and looking at illustration which are beautiful. Story was used at a workshop I attended to great effect, so I decided to buy and share with my daughter. There's something in this story for everyone.

This is such a lovely healing story, about the power of our words to encourage and edify and heal others, as well as loving our Journey, and how we grow and are transformed by our experiences along the way. Absolutely beautiful!

This is a beautiful story of selfless giving.

桃太郎を聞かされるとひそかに思ったものである。天下の大悪党の鬼たちを懲らしめるのは大いに意味がある。だがそのあとがどうもいただけない。金銀財宝を持ち帰って幸せになりました。では泥棒のうわまえを掠めたに過ぎない。こんな物語の結末に何の意味があるのか。どうしても分からなかった。それに犬や雉、猿には何の褒章も与えないのは、ちょっと欲が深すぎませんか、桃太郎さん。使うだけ使って山分けにもしない男はいやですね、見下げたやつだ。仲間が人間でも独り占めしそうですね。白雪姫・シンデレラはかわいいだけで、大して何も社会に具体的にかかわったわけでもない。かわいいだけが成功の唯一の要件である童話は決まってくだらない。王子様という親の権威と財宝だけを頼りに女をあさっている男と所帯を持ってもろくなことにならないことぐらい、小学校にはいる前に分かろうというもの。だから結末もめでたしめでたしと言われても、言っている人のおつむがめでたいだけでしょうと思っていたものです。ジャンピングマウス君には衝撃を受けました。死に行くものに、苦難の旅に絶対に欠かせない視力と嗅覚を与えてしまうこの精神の大きさに驚嘆しました。生きていく上に欠かせぬものを、死に行くものを前にして逡巡せずに与えきることが果たしてできるのか。ジャンピングマウス君はまだまだ若い。野牛や狼さんは十分世渡りをして老い先短かそうだ。自分の視力と嗅覚を与えて、果たして与え甲斐があるだろうか、などと考えて、どうしても逃げの姿勢をとりそうだ。こんなすごい突きつけをされたのちは前に進めない。ジャンピングマウスの大きさと私の小ささが交錯して苦しい。はるかの国を探しての苦難のたびを続けることさえすさまじいのに､それなしには生きる意味がないとさえ思えるものを惜しみなく与えて他の生命を救うことの意味を追求したい。ただただ深く深く考え、今後の生きる道しるべの１つとしたい。