Marmaduke Mouse was a mean little mouse who played mean little tricks. Just to give an example, he would at times cause a terrible fright to other young mice by suddenly shouting, "Here comes a cat!" when there was neither cat nor kitten in sight at all.

Marmaduke's reputation for such dreary jokes grew and spread to the far parts of the world, even as far as the North Pole, where Santa Claus lives. Now, there aren't many things that Santa dislikes, but if there is just one thing, it is meanness — in boys or girls . . . or mice. He immediately arranged to have Santa Mouse, his faithful little mouse assistant, investigate the situation.

After packing his things (including some cheese to nibble along the way), Santa Mouse set off for Mouse Hotel, a quiet, restful spot in a cupboard, high up in an attic. That's where Marmaduke lived and where Marmaduke's mother kept house — or hotel — by cooking, washing, polishing and cleaning. And that's where Santa Mouse checked in.

But while Santa Mouse was out of his room, Marmaduke decided it might be a good time to play another one of his mean little tricks. What he did — and what happened after that — and what happened after that — is best discovered by reading this delightful little story-in-verse yourself within the pages of this book.

Accompanying the details of Santa Mouse's newest adventure is a beautiful array of bright full-color pictures by George DeSantis which all children will deservedly take to their hearts.

From the dust jacket