Three Terrible Trins by Dick King-Smith illustrated by Mark Teague

When Mrs. Gray loses a third husband in one year, she vows to train her three bucks how to outsmart the cat for revenge.  Two cats reside inside Orchard Farm; four roam the grounds outside.  The trins, Thomas, Richard and Henry, soon earn a reputation of being brave.  The three befriend a Cellarmouse, named Kevin, which is stirs up the gossips since the Trins are "Atticmice"-upper class.  Kevin and the trins soon transform Orchard Farm into a pleasant place for every creature (expect the cats!).

-Humorous!

Mentor text-opening line

-Borrowed from the library.

Warnings/points to discuss: Mr. Budge, the farmer of Orchard Farm, indulges in hard cider at least three times a day.  He is basically a mean alcoholic.  The Cellarmice love sloppy Mr. Budge who regularly slops drops of cider on the floor.  The Cellarmice are known as "drunks". Mr. Budge also has a glass eye which he removes at each meal.  Sensitive readers may be freaked out by that!   Mrs. Gray and Kevin cause quite a commotion when he boards with Mrs. Gray.