Violet and Jobie in the Wild

Violet & Jobie in the Wild is illustrated in black-and-white throughout by the author.
Brother and sister mice Violet and Jobie live a cozy and comfortable life in a humans’ house, where food is plentiful, and the television is both educational and entertaining.

Reviews

“When mouse siblings Violet and Jobie are trapped and rehomed from their comfortable human habitat to the state park, they are completely out of their element. . . . Fortunately, older, wiser mouse Zolian offers key advice and expands their appreciation of the wild world with a sense of fun. . . . As with all good survival stories, the mice learn by trial and error and by paying attention to their environment. . . . A marvelous heroic journey.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)“Indoor mice accustomed to cushy conditions learn to survive outdoors in this endearing novel by Perkins. . . . When they are captured one day and left at a nearby state park, they’re thrust into a life that Violet has seen only on TV program Nature Magnificent. They fumble mightily, and often humorously, in their naivete . . . Balancing funny notes with a newfound sense of wonder, nimble text cleverly imagines the details of moving through the natural world in a mouse’s body. . . . A narrative centering family bonds and new experiences.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)“Mouse siblings Violet and Jobie have spent their entire lives in a comfortable human house, watching nature documentaries on television, enjoying plentiful snacks, and napping in cozy drawers. But when they’re finally outwitted by a clever trap, the mice find themselves unceremoniously dumped into the woods . . . an absolute charmer, punctuated by adorable artwork and imbued with chatty, cozy camaraderie and frequent funny asides. . . . A gem of a story that will leave readers eager to embrace a bigger life.” — Booklist (starred review)“The fast-paced plot keeps this gentle survival story moving." — Horn Book (starred review)“As Violet and Jobie try to survive in the wild, they make rookie mistakes like sleeping in a fox’s den, until they meet an old mouse named Zolian who teaches them survival skills . . . Short chapters, straightforward storylines, and intermittent illustrations make this a solid bridge between beginning chapter books and more advanced novel[s].” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books“Violet and Jobie are mouse siblings who have become accustomed to their cushy life indoors. . . . However, when they are outsmarted by a trap and relocated to the woods, the pair suddenly needs to learn to survive—finding food, shelter, and safety from predators. . . . Infused with humor and touching character depth, this book provides a nuanced look at what it means to be home and to grow up. Readers who are drawn to the charming black-and-white sketch illustrations and the animal story will be in for a pleasant surprise at the heart.”  — School Library Journal