The first instalment in a funny and charming two-colour series from a beloved and bestselling illustrator.

It’s Marty Moose’s first day on the job as Postmouse. He’s ironed his uniform, polished his buttons and waxed his whiskers; he’s ready to go! But things take a tricky turn when he gets lost in Whisker Warren and needs rescuing by a doolally rabbit named Nibbles, and then gets caught in the crossfire of two less-than-neighbourly toads. Who knew postage could be so perilous!

With lively, funny and characterful illustration and a brilliantly charming voice, this series is perfect for newly confident readers.

Marty Moose: First Class Mischief is the first book in a new children’s chapter book series about a mouse called Marty Moose. Now, you might be as confused as I was upon seeing the title and the cover and thinking, “Wouldn’t Marty Mouse have worked better?” Well, the opening of the book clears everything up – a blob of ink on the ‘U’ of mouse on his birth certificate is the culprit.

In this fun and amusing story, Marty is starting his first job as a Postmouse. He might be small, but he has a lot of determination and believes he will be able to deliver all the letters and parcels to the residents of Little Ditch (there is a map of the area at the front of the book). However, his day might not go quite as smoothly as he had hoped.

Marty Moose: First Class Mischief will keep children entertained from the first page until the last as they follow Marty delivering his letters. Along the way, he encounters a rabbit called Nibbles, who just so happens to be the most annoying fictional rabbit I have ever met.

The book is highly illustrated in mainly reds, pinks, and greys. The drawings bring the story to life and provide plenty of humour. Overall, this is a book that youngsters who have moved on from picture books and want something a little longer and more exciting can sink their teeth into. It is easy to read, doesn’t contain any difficult words, and also has short chapters and numerous alliterations throughout.

Claire Powell is a bestselling children’s book maker, character designer and illustrator. Claire’s collaborations with Beth Lincoln, Kes Gray and Simon Farnaby all topped the charts to become bestsellers. She has also illustrated books for Dermot O’Leary, Jeanne Willis, Peter Bently and Michelle Robinson. Marty Moose is her first author-illustrated series.