This book was recognised by the Kate Greenaway Medal Award. The CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal is awarded by childrens librarians for an outstanding book in terms of illustration for children and young people.

There are 44 pages in this book. This is a picture book. A picture book uses pictures and text to tell the story. The number of words varies from zero ('wordless') to around 1k over 32 pages. Picture books are typically aimed at young readers (age 3-6) but can also be aimed at older children (7+). This book was published 1999 by Walker Books Ltd .

William Wise is the author of best-selling picture book Ten Sly Piranhas as well as other novels and non-fiction for adults and young adults. He lives in the USA. Patrick Benson is the internationally recognised illustrator of bestseller Owl Babies, Christopher Award-winner Mole and Baby Bird and The Minpins. Patrick lives in the Borders of Scotland. Russell Hoban was born in Pennsylvania in 1925. He went to art school before serving in World War II and was a freelance illustrator eight years before taking up full-time writing. His many works of fiction and poetry for both adults and children have won him many awards. The Mouse and his Child has been hailed as one of the great children's classics of the twentieth century.