A New House for Mouse: questions to ask and activities to try
Mouse's house is little but her apple is huge, so she sets off to find a bigger home. A New House for Mouse is a clever peep-through book about homes, change and a disappearing apple.
What age is it for? A New House for Mouse is best for ages 2–5. Good for: Looking for a place that fits, and noticing what changes.
A New House for Mouse (Petr Horáček)
- Age
- 2-5
- Best for
- Looking for a place that fits, and noticing what changes
Let your child poke a finger through the holes and guess whose home comes next. Ask them to keep an eye on the apple: noticing that it shrinks is half the fun.
What it helps with
- Moving house, and finding a place that fits
- Noticing change, little by little
- Asking to share, and what happens next
- Animals and their homes, for curious little ones
Comprehension and discussion questions
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “Why did Mouse need a new house?”
- “Whose homes did she visit?”
- “Why didn’t the other homes fit?”
- “What was happening to her apple?”
- “What makes your home feel like home?”
- “If you moved, what would you want to bring?”
5-minute activities to try together
Shrinking apple
Draw an apple, then draw it again three times, each a bit more nibbled. Talk about how small changes add up.
Animal homes
Match toy animals to the homes they would live in: a nest, a burrow, a pond. Which would you choose?
Free printables: A New House for Mouse worksheet and activity pack
This book’s one-page worksheet with the questions and activities above, plus our activity pack: printable scenario cards, three 5-minute activities and a “What could I try?” page for practising everyday skills together. Enter your email and download them straight away.
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If your child liked this, try
The Tiny Seed (Eric Carle)
- Best for
- Patience, feeling small, and keeping going
- Age
- 3-7
The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Eric Carle)
- Best for
- Growing and changing, and waiting for something good
- Age
- 2-5
The Name Jar (Yangsook Choi)
- Best for
- Starting somewhere new and wanting to fit in
- Age
- 4-8
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.