Desmond Anthony Ellis was born in Ireland, but has lived in Toronto since 1972. In addition to writing, he has worked as an actor in Dublin, London and Paris. He lives with his wife in Toronto's west end with an ever changing number of stray animals that wander in from the park behind their house.

Mouse is small for his age and tired of being teased about it. One night he discovers, much to his surprise and delight, that he fits perfectly (well, almost perfectly) into an incredible world underneath his backyard, where he finds new friends, adventure and courage.