There is a mouse in a house, who isn’t quite like her many siblings. They follow their mother’s guidance into all things nice mice do, but she dreams of so much more.

Action, adventure, ships and treasure fill this wee mouse’s sleeping hours – until one day she follows her wish. Hiding in the hold of a ship, she emerges to discover not sailors, but pirates! She hasn’t waited and wished all her mouse life to be captured! This mouse dispatches the crew quick-smart, making the ship her own.

Now a pirate herself, she knows she needs a sidekick. A parrot will not do, but what will? A tiny creature presents itself – but is it evil enough?

A test is soon on the horizon as her piratey ways are under attack. One thing’s for sure – this mouse is now a pirate through and through!

With perfect rhythm and rhyme, The Ballad of the She-Pirate Mouse is an action packed and funny rollicking read. It’s one of those rare picture books that will be a joy to read over and over, and if you like to sing to your little listeners, there’s songs to enjoy too.

This little mouse is a courageous wee thing, facing challenges to her new life without a blink and enjoying every moment along the way. Humour is here too, in both the text and in the distinctive illustration style of Lisa Allen.

The Ballad of the She-Pirate Mouse is for all those young dreamers of adventure and treasure hunting on the high seas, or anyone who loves to laugh and sing.

Author – Emma Vere-Jones

Illustrator – Lisa Allen

Picture Book

(2025, Bateman Books, Action, Adventure, Animals, Mouse, Mice, Ship, Pirates, Perfect Rhyme, Sea, Ocean, Swash buckling, NZ, Aotearoa New Zealand, NZ Author, NZ Illustrator, Song, Singing, Fun, Funny, Humour)