Susan Weisberg's inspiration for Chester Midshipmouse came in the form of a letter from the United States Naval Academy suggesting that any food parcels mailed to her sons should be sent in tightly sealed plastic boxes. Why? Bancroft Hall, the academy's stately gray stone 150-year-old dormitory, the largest dormitory in the world which houses over 4000 naval students and contains more than four miles of hallways, is also home to mice. Susan's two midshipmen brought home larger than life stories during their seven overlapping years in Annapolis where they trained to become naval and marine officers. They shared tales of discipline, honor, courage, commitment, evasion, capture and escape...well, those last three had to do with mice, but perhaps we had better let Chester tell his own story. Weisberg holds a degree in nursing, and has worked in hospital emergency and urgent care. She has also freelanced as a food writer and food stylist for a large city newspaper, progressing in her writing from mousse to mice! The author and her husband have three young adult children. They live in a coastal New Jersey town where she recently escorted a wayfaring group of mice to safety from her kitchen during a cold snap.
