A 1960s children’s book about a mouse serving as a guard at Buckingham Palace is being published for the first time in decades by Royal Collection Trust, a department of the Royal Household, making this captivating tale available to a new generation of young readers.
The Guard Mouse tells the story of Clyde, a mouse who works as a King’s Guard outside Buckingham Palace. Upon stepping down from his position one day, the Guard Mouse hears his name being called – his long-lost cousins from abroad have come to visit him. The story follows the mice on the adventures they get up to in the night, including a detour to Covent Garden Market and a ride on the top of a double-decker tour bus, before duty calls the Guard Mouse back to his sentry box in front of Buckingham Palace the next morning.
The book, written and illustrated by Don Freeman, was a success when it was first published in 1967, before falling out of print. When the opportunity arose for the story to be republished, Royal Collection Trust – the charity responsible for the care of the Royal Collection and the public opening of the official royal residences, including Buckingham Palace – was keen to share the story with a new audience and has worked closely with the author’s literary estate to revive the tale. The resulting facsimile edition is complete with the original vintage illustrations.
Polly Fellows, Managing Editor at Royal Collection Trust, said: ‘The Guard Mouse is a charming story of family coming together and discovering the sights of London – an exciting prospect which still resonates as much today as it did 60 years ago. We are delighted to be bringing the book back to life for a new generation of children to enjoy.’
Complementing the book are new souvenirs from the Royal Collection Trust Shops, including:
A felt Christmas tree decoration of Clyde the Guard Mouse (£12.00).
Milk and white chocolate mice in a miniature sentry box (£15.00).
A bag of jelly carrots sweets (£7.50) referencing the story.
A special gift box (£60.00) including a copy of the book, the tree decoration, the chocolate mice, and the jelly carrots.
The Guard Mouse and the accompanying range can be purchased online at royalcollectionshop.co.uk or from Royal Collection Trust Shops in London, Edinburgh and Windsor. The book is also available from all good bookshops.
