Summary

The Mouse and the Motorcycle is a beloved children’s novel by Beverly Cleary. First published in 1965, this charming tale of adventure and friendship introduces Ralph S. Mouse, a daring rodent with a passion for speed and exploration. Set in the run-down Mountain View Inn, the story combines elements of fantasy and realism, creating a world where a tiny mouse can ride a toy motorcycle. The book's enduring popularity led to two sequels, forming a trilogy that follows Ralph's escapades. Cleary's inspiration for the story came from her son's playtime with miniature vehicles while recovering from an illness, as well as an encounter with a small mouse trapped in a bucket. This blend of real-life experiences and imagination resulted in a timeless classic that continues to delight children.

Plot

A curious mouse, Ralph lives in the Mountain View Inn, located in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, and longs for adventure beyond his knothole. His life takes an exciting turn when young Keith checks into the hotel with his family, bringing a shiny toy motorcycle. Ralph is immediately drawn to the miniature vehicle, seeing it as his ticket to exploration and freedom.

One night, Ralph attempts to ride the motorcycle but can't figure out how to start it. A ringing phone startles him, causing both Ralph and the bike to tumble into a wastebasket. Keith discovers them and, understanding Ralph's desire for adventure, teaches the mouse how to start the motorcycle by making engine noises. This begins Ralph's nightly escapades through the hotel on his new ride.

Ralph's adventures take a turn when he's nearly sucked up by a vacuum cleaner. He escapes into a pile of linens but is forced to abandon the motorcycle. Keith loses trust in Ralph, though he continues to bring food to the mouse colony. The situation worsens when Keith falls ill, and his parents have no aspirin to treat his fever.

Determined to regain Keith's trust and help the boy, Ralph embarks on a dangerous mission to find an aspirin tablet in the hotel. Using Keith's toy ambulance, he successfully retrieves the medicine. Ralph's bravery not only helps Keith recover but also leads to the return of the lost motorcycle. In gratitude, Keith gifts the motorcycle to Ralph, who now has a permanent ticket to adventure.

Themes

• Independence and adventure

• Friendship across species

• Responsibility and trust

• Courage in the face of danger

• The power of imagination

• Growing up and maturity

• Overcoming fears and limitations

Setting

Set in the mid-1960s, The Mouse and the Motorcycle takes place primarily within the confines of the Mountain View Inn, a run-down resort hotel nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountain range of California. This setting reflects the era's increasing mobility and family road trips, as the story unfolds during the Gridley family's journey through the state.

The hotel itself becomes a microcosm of adventure for Ralph, the protagonist mouse. From his home in a knothole, Ralph explores various areas of the inn, from guest rooms to the lobby, eventually venturing into the dangerous territory of linen closets and laundry piles. These indoor locations provide a stark contrast to the vast outdoor wilderness of the Sierra Nevada, highlighting the limited yet exciting world available to a small mouse.

While the specific town is not named, the broader geographical context of California in the 1960s serves as a backdrop to the story. This setting captures a time when family vacations and road trips were becoming common, and small, independently-owned hotels like the Mountain View Inn were a prominent feature of the American landscape.

Characters

• Ralph S. Mouse: The adventurous protagonist. Ralph is a young mouse who lives with his family at the Mountain View Inn and dreams of excitement beyond his knothole. He discovers a toy motorcycle that belongs to a human boy named Keith and learns to ride it, embarking on thrilling adventures throughout the hotel. Ralph's bravery and resourcefulness are tested when he must find an aspirin to help Keith recover from an illness.

• Keith Gridley: A young boy staying at the Mountain View Inn with his family. Keith befriends Ralph and teaches him how to ride the toy motorcycle. He shares Ralph's sense of adventure and trusts him enough to allow him to borrow the motorcycle. Keith's illness later in the story provides Ralph with an opportunity to prove his loyalty and courage.

• Ralph's Mother: A cautious and protective mouse who worries about Ralph's risky behavior and his interactions with humans. She represents the more traditional mouse perspective, concerned with safety and avoiding detection.

• Keith's Parents: Minor characters who accompany Keith during their stay at the hotel. Keith's mother briefly spots Ralph riding the motorcycle, adding tension to the story.

• Hotel Staff: Minor characters, including a maid, who inadvertently create obstacles for Ralph during his adventures. The housekeeper ultimately finds the lost motorcycle in the laundry.

Quick facts

• Beverly Cleary got the idea for The Mouse and the Motorcycle after watching her son playing with his toy cars while sick in bed.

• The character of Ralph was inspired when Cleary’s neighbor showed her a mouse trapped in a bucket.

• The Mouse and the Motorcycle was published in 1965 as the first book in a trilogy about Ralph S. Mouse.

• The story is set in a run-down hotel called the Mountain View Inn in California's Sierra Nevada mountains.

• Ralph S. Mouse starts the toy motorcycle by making a “pb-pb-b-b-b” sound.

• Ralph's father died after ingesting an aspirin, highlighting the danger to mice in the story and informing the overprotective nature of Ralph’s mother.

• The Mouse and the Motorcycle won the William Allen White Children's Book Award in 1968. 

• In 1986, the beloved book was adapted into a stop-motion animated feature that aired as an episode of ABC-TV’s Weekend Special and won a prestigious Peabody Award.

• The Mouse and the Motorcycle was released as a selection for the Weekly Reader Children's Book Club.

About the Author

Beverly Cleary (1916-2021) was an American author who captivated generations of young readers with her relatable and humorous stories. A native of Oregon, Cleary drew inspiration from her own childhood experiences to create beloved characters like Ramona Quimby, Henry Huggins, and Ralph S. Mouse. Her books, set in the Grant Park neighborhood of Portland, brought to life the everyday adventures and challenges of middle-class American children.

Cleary's writing career spanned five decades, during which she published more than 40 books, selling over 91 million copies worldwide. Her works were groundbreaking in their portrayal of emotional realism in children's literature, tackling themes that resonated deeply with young readers. Cleary's talent for capturing the voice and perspective of children earned her numerous accolades, including the Newbery Medal for Dear Mr. Henshaw and Newbery Honors for Ramona and Her Father and Ramona Quimby, Age 8.

Cleary had a profound impact on children's literature and literacy. Her birthday, April 12th, is celebrated as National Drop Everything and Read Day, encouraging children to embrace the joy of reading. Cleary's influence extended to other authors, libraries, and educational institutions, with schools and literary awards named in her honor. Beverly Cleary passed away at the remarkable age of 104, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and delight readers of all ages.