The Mouse Mansion Shop & Studio
When I first visited the OBA (Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam) Oosterdok central library – youth section years ago, I came across this colossal structure of Muizenhuis or Mouse Mansion. This permanent exhibition was standing tall at two meters wide and three meters high! It was an exquisite giant mice house meticulously crafted and decorated by Karina Schaapman. I was in awe. You got to see it for yourself!
Anyways …
The Mouse Mansion is a Dutch children’s book series consists of five titles: Sam & Julia, The Theatre, The Circus, The Fun Fair and The Harbor, created by author Karina Schaapman. Her books tell the charming adventures of best friends Sam & Julia, discovering the many rooms of the Mouse Mansion and meeting its inhabitants. Every single one of the mice in the Mouse Mansion is carefully designed and hand made with sheep-wool and cotton! The many rooms of the Mouse Mansion were then photographed, and used as the backdrop diorama on all her books. It took Schaapman three years to build the first Mouse Mansion that is now on display at the Public Library OBA Oosterdok in Amsterdam.
Since March 2017, The Mouse Mansion Shop & Studio is open for visitors, located in the Jordaan district of Amsterdam. A family business run entirely by Karina Schaapman and her children personally. Everyone is welcome to marvel at the Mouse Mansion’s decors built for the books. Use the miniature binoculars to explore and discover hidden wonders up close and personal. Check out the other Mouse Mansion sets on display such as the fun fair and the circus. You can even take a peak in the studio to get a glimpse on how things are made. Do browse on the toys, purchase your very own Sam or Julia doll (€11.95 each), flip through the books, buy a DIY kit to build your own room or get yourself a poster.
Schaapman’s first book was “Sam & Julia”, published in 2011 in The Netherlands. It has become an instant classic and achieved international success, translated into 27 languages. Thus, any books (in your own language) from the Mouse Mansion series would make a great gift or a meaningful Dutch souvenirs. Just an idea.
If you are looking for something different and inspirational to do with children in Amsterdam, this is it!
The Mouse Mansion Shop & Studio
Website: http://www.themousemansion.com
Address: Eerste Tuindwarsstraat 1hs – Amsterdam
Opening Hours: Wednesday to Sunday from 11:00 – 18:00. Closed on Mondays & Tuesdays.
I Becoming Dutch 