If you’ve ever told a bedtime story that grew in the telling—gaining rhythm, adventure, and just the right amount of heart—you’ll recognize what The Adventures of Jackson the Young Field Mouse by Adam DeGraide is doing. This isn’t a high-concept epic or a fable with a moral tagged on like a tail. It’s something simpler, warmer, and maybe more lasting: a story that could have easily begun as a father’s improvisation at the edge of a child’s pillow, now turned into a fully illustrated quest for young minds.
Jackson is a mouse who’s lost, but not helpless. The power of this book lies in how it defines “adventure” not by action or peril, but by persistence and kindness. At every step—meeting a cat, a lion, an owl, and eventually a whale—Jackson is not conquering, but connecting. That might seem uneventful to adults used to fast plots, but to a young child learning how the world works, that’s where the real journey lies.
What sets the story apart is its musical structure. “Trippedee trop, trippedee trop”—this refrain becomes both heartbeat and compass. Young children thrive on repetition, and here it becomes an emotional tether that leads readers safely through unfamiliar encounters. The effect is grounding, especially for early readers or children listening at storytime. The rhythm offers reassurance: even if you don’t know where the story’s going, the steps are steady.
There’s also something timeless about its visual and emotional tone. Illustrated with softness and a sense of whimsy, the book is clearly meant to be read aloud—not scanned or skipped through on a screen. That’s increasingly rare. In its form and pacing, this book invites pause, breath, and attention—just like the old stories once did.
Some books try to entertain. This one tries to connect. It’s ideal for very young readers, the kind who lean in when they hear a voice rise and fall in patterns they recognize. It won’t suit older kids looking for twists, jokes, or gadgets. But for families looking to slow down and share a moment of imagination with clear values—curiosity, bravery, politeness—it delivers something enduring.
At the end of the day, The Adventures of Jackson feels like a story that wasn’t written to impress, but to matter. That matters more.
Excellence in Literature Award
The Excellence in Literature Award is a tribute to the timeless power of storytelling. We recognise works that transcend fleeting trends—books that resonate deeply and linger long after the final page. Whether bold and boundary-breaking or quietly powerful, these stories reflect true literary excellence.
This award encompasses a wide literary landscape—from genre fiction to poetic reflections, from contemporary gems to historical epics. At its heart, it celebrates writers who demonstrate mastery, originality, and the ability to connect with readers on a meaningful level.
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