The Country Mouse and the City Mouse: A Christmas Tale

1998 French TV series or program The Country Mouse and the City Mouse AdventuresAlso known asThe Mouse Adventures (United Kingdom)GenreAdventureNeo-noirMysteryBased onThe Country Mouse and the City Mouseby AesopCharacters from children bookby Random HouseDeveloped byPaul Schibli (adaptation)Written byJoseph Mallozzi (season 1)Patrick GranleeseCaroline R. MariaBruce RobbVoices ofTerrence ScammellJulie BurroughsRick JonesComposerJames GelfandCountries of originFranceCanadaOriginal languagesFrenchEnglishNo. of seasons2No. of episodes52 (list of episodes)ProductionExecutive producersMicheline CharestRonald A. WeinbergChristian DavinGiovanna MilanoProducerCassandra SchafhausenRunning time24 minutesProduction companiesCINAR FilmsFrance AnimationRavensburger Film & TVWIC EntertainmentReader's Digest (Season 1) Videal (season 1) Motion Pictures, S.A. (season 1)Original releaseNetworkCanal J (France)France 3 (France)TVOntario (Canada, season 1)YTV (Canada)Ici Radio-Canada Télé (Canada)HBO (United States)HBO Family (United States)ReleaseMarch 1, 1998 (1998-03-01) –October 27, 1999 (1999-10-27)RelatedThe Country Mouse and the City Mouse: A Christmas Tale The Country Mouse and the City Mouse Adventures is an animated television series produced by CINAR Films, France Animation, Ravensburger Film & TV, WIC Entertainment, Reader's Digest, TVOntario, Videal, Motion Pictures, S.A., Canal J, and France 3. The Country Mouse and the City Mouse Adventures aired in the U.S. on HBO (who also provided development funding for the series) from March 1, 1998 to October 27, 1999. It premiered in France on France 3 on March 27, 1998.

[edit] The show follows the adventures of two cousin mice, Alexander from the city and Emily from the country, who go on adventures around the world in the late 19th and early 20th century, usually to help their cousins, solve a mystery, or stop the evil rat, No-Tail No-Goodnik. The two main characters originally appeared in the 1993 television special The Country Mouse and the City Mouse: A Christmas Tale, which was produced by Michael Sporn Animation for HBO. Loosely based on the classic Aesop fable, the television special was also adapted into a book in 1994, titled The Country Mouse and the City Mouse: Christmas Is Where the Heart Is. But the characters were modified for the Cinar series.

[edit] Emily (voiced by Julie Burroughs) is a female country mouse and Alexander's cousin. She wears a red dress with a white pinafore apron and a straw hat with a red ribbon tied in a bow around it. Alexander (voiced by Terrence Scammell) is a male city mouse and Emily's cousin. He wears a blue pinstriped suit with matching hat and a red bowtie. No-Tail No-Goodnik (voiced by Rick Jones) is a rat thief with a severed tail, the circumstances of which are never revealed, who is the main antagonist. He goes to some countries to commit thefts and often uses fake tails as a disguise.

[edit] The Country Mouse and the City Mouse Adventures was initially produced as a 26-episode series costing US$9 million. Production partners included Germany's Ravensburger; Reader's Digest in the U.S., and Canadian CINAR (now WildBrain), which contributed US$6 million towards the original project's funding. The show's main characters were first introduced in the 1993 HBO special, The Country Mouse and the City Mouse: A Christmas Tale. It was loosely based on the classic fable by Aesop.

[edit] The Country Mouse and the City Mouse Adventures aired in the U.S. from March 1, 1998, to October 27, 1999, on HBO (who also provided development funding for the series). Until December 31, 2004, HBO's sister network HBO Family aired repeats of the show. The series premiered in France on France 3 on March 27, 1998, and later on Canal J. In Canada, it first aired on TVOntario in autumn 1997 and also aired on YTV in 1999. Repeats of the show aired on the Cookie Jar Toons block on This TV until September 23, 2011, and mornings in Ireland on RTÉ Two's The Den, normally at 7:15am. However, all CINAR references in these broadcasts have been replaced by Cookie Jar references, but when Netflix began to stream seasons 1 and 2 on its "watch instantly" streaming service on February 29, 2012, all CINAR references have been restored. It formerly aired on Light TV (now as TheGrio) from December 22, 2016, until October 2, 2020. Reader's Digest released only the first season on VHS and DVD in the U.S., the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Finland and Australia. Direct Source released every four episodes in two DVD volumes from the second season of the show on February 27, 2007. Season 1 is also available on iTunes. Mill Creek Entertainment released The Country Mouse and the City Mouse Adventures - 26 Mice Tales Around The World on August 4, 2015, on DVD for Region 1. This 2-disc collection features all 26 episodes from the second season on DVD for the very first time. As of 2022[update], the show is available on Tubi.

The episode’s holiday setting swaps the usual globe‑trotting escapades for a cosy, snow‑dusted village where the two mouse protagonists discover the true spirit of giving. It blends gentle humour with a subtle moral about generosity – a perfect complement to the more commercial Christmas fare on television. Parents appreciate the calm pacing and the way the story resolves with a communal feast, reinforcing the idea that even the smallest characters can make a big difference during the holidays.

Because the series already encourages curiosity about different cultures, the Christmas special adds a layer of seasonal tradition, exposing young viewers to classic winter customs without preaching. This makes it a repeat‑able family favourite that feels both familiar and fresh each December.

The Christmas episode is often bundled with the full two‑season run on DVD collections sold by European distributors. Look for sets that include both English and French audio tracks – they retain the original charm and let bilingual families enjoy the story in either language. If you prefer digital, check streaming platforms that host the series; the holiday special usually appears as a stand‑alone title during December. Pay attention to the video quality – older releases may be standard definition, so opting for a remastered edition will give the animation its intended colour brilliance and crispness, especially important for children’s eyes.

When comparing prices, factor in any bundled extras such as behind‑the‑scenes featurettes or printable activity sheets, which can turn a simple viewing into an interactive festive craft session.

While the series is marketed as a light adventure, the Christmas episode quietly references the original Aesop moral about humility and resourcefulness. The country mouse, accustomed to simple comforts, learns to navigate the bustling city’s winter market, while the city mouse discovers the warmth of a humble hearth. This reciprocal learning mirrors Aesop’s lesson that virtue isn’t tied to wealth or status, a theme that resonates strongly with the season’s emphasis on compassion over consumption.

Viewers often focus on the festive decorations, overlooking how the plot subtly reinforces the ancient fable’s message. Highlighting this in a post‑view discussion can deepen children’s understanding of classic storytelling and its relevance to modern holiday values.