The Great Mouse Plot

by Roald Dahl, Quentin Blake (Illustrator)

‘You had the idea – so you can be the one to put the mouse in the jar.’

This is a true story.

Every day the boy walks past a sweet shop filled with jars of delicious gobstoppers and sticky treacle toffees. But there is one terrible problem. The shop is owned by Mrs Pratchett, a skinny old hag with filthy finger nails. She is so mean that the boy decides to trick her – and he’s got the perfect plan…

Did you know that this boy grew up to become the writer Roald Dahl?

Discover secrets about the World’s Number 1 Storyteller and start your Roald Dahl 100 celebrations in 2016 with this very special World Book Day story!

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Classics, Middle Grade, School, Short Stories

80 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2016

About the author

Roald Dahl was a beloved British author, poet, screenwriter, and wartime fighter pilot, best known for his enchanting and often darkly humorous children's books that have captivated generations of readers around the world. Born in Llandaff, Wales, to Norwegian parents, Dahl led a life marked by adventure, tragedy, creativity, and enduring literary success. His vivid imagination and distinctive storytelling style have made him one of the most celebrated children's authors in modern literature.
Before becoming a writer, Dahl lived a life filled with excitement and hardship. He served as a Royal Air Force pilot during World War II, surviving a near-fatal crash in the Libyan desert. His wartime experiences and travels deeply influenced his storytelling, often infusing his works with a sense of danger, resilience, and the triumph of the underdog. After the war, he began writing for both adults and children, showing a rare versatility that spanned genres and age groups.
Dahl's children's books are known for their playful use of language, unforgettable characters, and a deep sense of justice, often pitting clever children against cruel or foolish adults. Some of his most iconic titles include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr Fox, and The Witches. These works are filled with fantastical elements and moral undertones, empowering young readers to challenge authority, think independently, and believe in the impossible.
Equally acclaimed for his work for adults, Dahl wrote numerous short stories characterized by their macabre twists and dark humor. His stories were frequently published in magazines such as The New Yorker and later compiled into bestselling collections like Someone Like You and Kiss Kiss. He also wrote screenplays, including the James Bond film You Only Live Twice and the adaptation of Ian Fleming's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Despite his literary success, Dahl was a complex and sometimes controversial figure, known for his strong opinions and difficult personality. Nonetheless, his books continue to be treasured for their wit, originality, and the sense of wonder they inspire. Many of his stories have been adapted into successful films, stage plays, and television specials, further cementing his legacy.
Dahl's impact on children's literature is immeasurable. His ability to connect with young readers through a mix of irreverence, heart, and imagination has made his stories timeless. Even after his death, his books remain in print and continue to be read by millions of children worldwide. His writing not only entertains but also encourages curiosity, courage, and compassion.
Roald Dahl's work lives on as a testament to the power of storytelling and the magic of a truly original voice. He remains a towering figure in literature whose creations continue to spark joy, mischief, and inspiration across generations.

Reviews

[Stacey | prettybooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

8-year-old Roald Dahl loves sweets. He loves liquorice and sherbet and every other wonderful delight found in the sweetshop he passes on the way to school. But one day, with his best friends, he decides to do something a little cheeky. He plays a mean trick on the nefarious old shop owner and puts a dead mouse her jar of gobstoppers. The Great Mouse Plot was a delightful short story about young Dahl. I'm loving working my way through my Roald Dahl box set and this made me want to pick up Boy: Tales of Childhood even more!

I also reviewed this book over on Pretty Books.

[Nadja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short entertaining childhood memory of Mr. Dahl.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published at http://solittletimeforbooks.blogspot....

I’ve worshipped Roald Dahl since I was a little girl, but it’s been many years since I last read him and this little story was a complete treat!

Easily the best thing about this story is the fact that it’s a tale from Roald Dahl himself when he was eight years old! It’s always wonderful to get a glimpse into the real lives of your favourite authors and the time that Dahl was growing up really makes it feel like a story. As is usually the case with Dahl, The Great Mouse Plot features kids taking revenge on horrid adults, wonderful descriptions of sweets and fearsome headteachers.

Brilliant!

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

So much fun!

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of Ronald Dahl's memoir Boy, The Great Mouse Plot tells the tale of a group of friends putting a disgusting dead mouse into a jar of gob stoppers on a shop owned by a nasty old lady. Short and sweet, it is incredibly quick and easy to read out loud to children.

[Eliza Wallis · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was great

[Grace Cortese · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book

[Vít Kotačka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zajímavá jednohubka (56 str.) od Roalda Dahla. První půlka je hodně hodně humorná - skupina 8letých chlapců provádí různá alotria, ale jejich (příběhový) vesmír se točí kolem krámku se sladkostmi paní Pratchettové. Tahle starší paní má dost velkou podobnost s jinou s Dahlovou postavou - paní Prevítovou. Každopádně, celá rodina jsme se hodně nasmáli. 🤣 😂

Druhá půlka je velký zlom a úsměv zmrzne na rtech - děti z toho byly lehce perplex a každý rodič (který má školní dítko) si musí zodpovědět otázku, jestli by se dokázal zachovat stejně statečně, jako Dahlova (literární) maminka...

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every day after school a boy and his friends get sweets from a sweet shop. However the owner of the shop is an old hag that never welcomes them in, or is pleasant or nice to them. So one day, they decide to pull a prank on her! Cool and funny book

[Rézina Dějová · Rating 2 out of 5]

Další desetiminutovka. Nejde o pohádku, ale o reálnou epizodu z Dahlova dětsví ještě z doby, kdy kluci za lumpárny dostávali ve škole rákoskou. Samozřejmě se závěrem, že tělesné tresty nechceme a netolerujeme.

[Sarah Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was actually quite an entertaining short story. The woman at the sweet shop sounded disgusting, and Roald's plan was quite clever.

* Little Roald finds a dead mouse and comes up with an interesting plan for it.
* He tells his friends that what he wants to do is to play a trick on the disgusting old lady who works at the sweet shop, who is always mean to him and his friends.
* They go to the sweet shop and his friends distract the lady while he puts the dead mouse in the jar of gobstoppers.
* The next morning the sweet shop is closed, and one of his friends tells him that maybe the shock of the mouse killed the woman.
* At school they're told to line up, and Roald worries that he's about to be called a murderer, but thankfully the woman is not dead.
* Unfortunately, she remembers him and his friends and all five of them get caned 🙈
* Roald has the last laugh though as when his mother finds out, she tells the headmaster off, and then moves Roald to a different school.

[Kingston Primary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am ten years old and I am reviewing The Great Mouse Plot. This is a true story about a terrible prank that Roald plays on a mean candy store owner when he was eight years old.

I really enjoyed the book, it had some really funny bits and it kept me guessing. I couldn't wait to read what happened. I also liked the ugly old lady, she was probably my favourite character.

I think the book was a bit slow at the start. I thought the end was a bit boring and predictable.

This book is great, I would recommend it for either 7-10 year olds, or 60-80 year olds who can remember getting the cane from their evil headmaster at school.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very short book - good for 8/10 year olds I would think. Some good humour in it however set some time ago as the cane was still a form of punishment. I feel the stories theme was to do with acceptable behaviour when it comes to different things and how that if someone is horrible or unkind it does not make it okay to also be horrible and unkind. Two wrongs do not make a right as the saying goes. I would probably use this book as a funny end of the day read to young children in primary school or as a starter for developing reading for those estabilishing themselves into fluent readers.

[Paige Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tidbit of Dahl’s childhood which fits so well with his other outrageous stories you wouldn’t believe it was real. The amusing way he writes the anecdote is proof that he was born to be a story teller!
Anyone who enjoys this book will have to read his full autobiography, of which this is an excerpt, Boy: Tales of Childhood.

[Elly · Rating 2 out of 5]

very disappointed in this Roald Dahl book! I guess it was a true story, based on a childhood incident. Just had a very abrupt, unsettling ending. Not clever and witty and fun, as I'd been expecting, and the "bad guys" seemed to win

[E.C. Hutchcroft · Rating 4 out of 5]

A witty, and innocently ( almost!) wicked little tale of small boys pranks...which, of course, don't go quite to plan. A great read for children, and for adults who share Roald Dahl's somewhat irreverent sense of humour. Great!

[Tereza Severová · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nuda v práci... :)

[Jiejun · Rating 4 out of 5]

so much fun to read it with my little boy

[Tomas Bilek · Rating 5 out of 5]

První knížka od Roalda Dahla, kterou jsem četl. Moc se mi líbila, určitě si ji přečtěte, děti.

[Khriseanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book.

[Colin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of Roald Dahl’s best books, but still an amusing short story based on memoirs of a childhood mishap.

[Tomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short story about children and their mischief to one nasty old lady.

[Oliver Meeks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just OK, not as good as his other books but still pretty good.

[Samantha Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great little story. Loved the storyline of little boys and their candys. One of my Roald Dahl favouties.

[Monika · Rating 3 out of 5]

celkem dobra večerní rychlovka :-)

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s a person who owns a lollie shop and her name is Mrs Pratchett Jack

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roald Dahl's writing has always been excellent and this little story reminded me of all the fun I had reading his work as a kid.

[Aysha Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a mischievous and fun story about some young boys in a lolly shop!! Roald Dahl never seems to disappoint! I’m so glad I picked up his amazing cheeky stories again.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never been a fan of liqourice, likely because I read this as a kid.

[gemsbooknook Geramie Kate Barker · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘‘You had the idea – so you can be the one to put the mouse in the jar.’
This is a true story.
Every day the boy walks past a sweet shop filled with jars of delicious gobstoppers and sticky treacle toffees. But there is one terrible problem. The shop is owned by Mrs Pratchett, a skinny old hag with filthy fingernails. She is so mean that the boy decides to trick her – and he’s got the perfect plan…
Did you know that this boy grew up to become the writer Roald Dahl?’
This book was fun.
As I have been making my way through Roald Dahl’s books recently, this has been one of the books I have been excited to get to as I know I have never read it before.
Now that I have finally read it I am happy to say that I really enjoyed this fun little book. It was a nice quick read for me which makes it the perfect size book for young readers.
Roald Dahl has done a lovely job with this book. It was weird, wacky and wonderful. It has everything you expect from a Roald Dahl book and it is easy to see why this book is so loved.
The fact that this book is based on Roald Dahl’s own childhood makes for such a sweet and impactful reading experience.
Adding to Roald Dahl’s witty story are wonderful Illustrations by Quentin Blake. The illustrations are scattered throughout this little book and help to elevate the entire story.
I am very happy to have finally read this book and I am looking forward to jumping into my next Roald Dahl adventure very soon.
The Great Mouse Plot by Roald Dahl is a quick read that young readers will love.

Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com