The Mouse and the Motorcycle
The Mouse and the Motorcycle is a children's novel written by Beverly Cleary, illustrated by Louis Darling and published in 1965. It is the first in a trilogy featuring Ralph S. Mouse, a house mouse who can speak to humans, goes on adventures riding his miniature motorcycle, and who longs for excitement and independence while living with his family in a run-down hotel.
First edition
Beverly Atlee Cleary was an American writer of children's and young adult fiction. One of America's most successful authors, 91 million copies of her books have been sold worldwide since her first book was published in 1950. Some of her best known characters are Ramona Quimby and Beezus Quimby, Henry Huggins and his dog Ribsy, and Ralph S. Mouse.
Cleary c. 1955 and her cat, "Kitty"
Cleary as a senior at the University of California, Berkeley, 1938
Cleary in 1971
Statue of Ramona Quimby in Grant Park, Portland