The King, the Mice and the Cheese

Reach for this book when your child is caught in a cycle of 'fixing' things in ways that only make them worse, or when they are struggling to share space with others. It is an ideal choice for teaching the value of compromise and the realization that sometimes our 'enemies' are just neighbors we haven't learned to live with yet. In this classic story, a King is frustrated by mice eating his cheese. He brings in cats to chase the mice, then dogs to chase the cats, and so on until the palace is filled with elephants. The story uses absurd humor to show how escalating a conflict leads to chaos. It is a lighthearted way to discuss problem solving and the importance of finding a middle ground where everyone's needs are met. Perfect for preschoolers and early elementary students who enjoy slapstick logic.