The Mouse & his Child

London: Faber and Faber, 1969 . First edition. Cloth. Near Fine/Very Good Indeed. 8" by 5". Lillian Hoban. A smart, first edition of this charming tale featuring a wind-up mouse, by Russell Hoban. First edition, in the publisher's original cloth binding, with the original dust wrapper, which has been price-clipped. Written by American author, Russell Hoban, who was known for his wide variety of genres, from science fiction to poetry, as well as writing a number of children's books. 'The Mouse & his Child' has been described as "a classic of children's literature", being adapted into an animated film in 1977. The story follows a pair of toy mice who are joined at the hands and operated by clockwork. The mice are bought from a toy shop and end up discarded in a child's home. The tale follows their quest to escape their fate and become self-winding. This book contains a number of subtle adult themes, contrasting it with other children's literature. With lovely illustrations by Hoban's wife, Lillian. In the publisher's original cloth binding, with the original dust wrapper, which has been price-clipped. Externally, excellent, with light bumping to the head and tail of the spine, and a touch of fading to the extremities. Dust wrapper is very smart, with light edge wear and the odd handling mark. Sunning to the extremities and to the spine of the wrap. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright and clean. Near Fine