Stuart Little

In a letter to his editor, White said about the book:

You will be shocked and grieved to discover that the principal character of the story has somewhat the attributes on appearance of a mouse. This does not mean that I am either challenging or denying Mr. Disney’s genius. At the risk of seeming a very whimsical fellow indeed, I will have to break down and confess to you that Stuart Little appeared to me in dream - all complete with his hat, his cane, and his brisk manner. Since he was the only fictional figure ever to honor and disturb my sleep, I was deeply touched and felt I was not free to change him into a grasshopper or a wallaby. Luckily, he bears no resemblance either physically or temperamentally to me. I guess that’s a break for all of us (“The Simply Elegant Letters of E. B. White.” NPR Radio).

The reference to “Mr. Disney” is, of course, a nod to Mickey Mouse, who was created in 1928—almost 20 years before Stuart Little. Fortunately for White and his editor, each mouse has carved out a unique legacy within children’s entertainment. Stuart Little has more than proven its value through its enduring appeal to generations of readers.