The Tale Of Two Bad Mice – Beatrix Potter

The Tale Of Two Bad Mice is a very cute children’s bedtime story that was illustrated and written by Beatrix Potter in 1904. Just like The Tailor Of Gloucester, The Tale Of Two Bad Mice is one of Beatrix Potter’s longer children’s books which follows The Tale of Benjamin Bunny.

The story was inspired by a doll’s house that was being built as a gift for her niece. Interestingly the doll’s house was being built by Beatrix Potter’s publisher and editor, Norman Warne. Beatrix Potter and Norman Warne fell in love during this time and got engaged. Unfortunately, Norman fell ill and died before the wedding could take place.

The two little mice in the story were inspired by mice that Beatrix rescued from a cage trap at her cousin’s home. The story follows two little mice who vandalize a doll’s house thinking that the food in the doll’s house is real. Download the beautifully illustrated story of The Tale Of Two Bad Mice PDF to see what happens!

The Tale Of Two Bad Mice PDF

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The Tale Of Two Bad Mice Q&A

What Were The Names Of The Two Bad Mice?

Beatrix Potter named the two mice that she saved Tom Thumb and Hunca Munca. She used these same names in her book. Although she doesn’t mention Tom Thumb in any of her writings after that, Hunca Munca did become a pet.

The Tale of Two Bad Mice had its genesis in June 1903 when Potter rescued two mice from a cage-trap in her cousin Caroline Hutton’s kitchen at Harescombe Grange, Gloucestershire, and named them Tom Thumb and Hunca Munca after characters in Henry Fielding’s play, Tom Thumb. Tom Thumb was never mentioned in Potter’s letters after his rescue from the trap (he may have escaped) but Hunca Munca became a pet and a model; she developed an affectionate personality and displayed good housekeeping skills.

Wikipedia | The Tale of Two Bad Mice

The World Of Peter Rabbit & Friends – Two Bad Mice and Johnny Town-Mouse

The World Of Peter Rabbit and Friends is an animated series that was based on Beatrix Potter’s books. There were 9 episodes altogether. In this episode, The Tale Of Two Bad Mice and The Tale of Johnny Town-Mouse are combined. It was released in 1994 and is still enjoyed by kids of all ages!

The Tale Of Two Bad Mice Summary (Spoiler Alert!)

The Tale of Two Bad Mice follows the misadventures of two little mice called Tom Thumb and Hunca Munca. Two dolls live in the dollhouse in the story – Lucinda and Jane. We are told that Jane is a cook but that she never actually does any cooking because all the food in the house is made of plaster.

One day Lucina and Jane go out. While they are away Tom Thumb and Hunca Munca inspect the doll’s house. They are delighted to find all sorts of good food in the house! However, when they discover that the food is made out of plaster, Tom Thumb loses his temper and smashes every dish on the table. Hunca Munca investigates all the canisters in the kitchen and also discovers that there is no food in them. They go on to ransack the rest of the doll’s house and they try to also carry off a few small items that they want to take home.

Just then the dolls return home. They can’t believe how their home has been destroyed! The little girl who owns the dollhouse decides to place a policeman doll at the front door of the house to guard it. Her nurse suggests a mousetrap.

Tom Thumb however pays for what he’s done with a crooked sixpence that he places in the doll’s Christmas stocking. Hunca Munca tries to make up for what she has done by sweeping the doll’s house every morning before they wake up.

Conclusion

The Tale Of Two Bad Mice is another beautifully illustrated Beatrix Potter book that is just as cute as The Tale Of Peter Rabbit. Go ahead and download a copy of The Tale Of Two Bad Mice PDF and share this beautiful bedtime story with your kids!

Next: The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle

Looking For More Children’s Bedtime Stories?
Beatrix Potter Book Collection
Children’s Fairy Tale Collection
Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales
Classic English Children’s Books