Shortlisted for Illustrator of the Year – British Book Awards 2025 

Step inside the mice’s hidden world in this interactive page-turner from internationally bestselling author-illustrator Mariajo Ilustrajo. In a playful twist on the classic 'unexpected guest' story, humans become the surprise visitors in a tale told by mice! 

A family of mice living happily under the floorboards get the shock of the lives when they discover some very unusual houseguests – humans! 

At first, the mice are wary, but curiosity soon takes over. They investigate the strange objects and delicious food their guests have brought with them and decide maybe humans aren’t so bad after all . . . until one mouse gets trapped in a jar. 
 
When the mouse’s friends try to help, they get caught too! But just when things look hopeless, they are set free from the jar . . . and into a cardboard Mouse Land created by their new human neighbours. Maybe these humans aren’t so terrible after all.  
 
All is well, until the mice discover there is one last guest to deal with – and it’s even worse than humans: a CAT. 
 
Providing a full interactive picture book experience, Unexpected Guests features a clever gatefold device that reveals the mice in their home under the floorboards, while die-cut holes can be found on the front and back cover. These elements elevate the fast-paced and funny story and bring to life Mariajo’s irresistible artwork, resulting in what is sure to become a firm family favourite.   
 
Following the prize-winning Flooded and I (Hate) Love Books – along with other titles such as Lost and Oh, Carrots! – Unexpected Guests confirms Mariajo as one of today’s most exciting picture book creators.

"Clever and playful."

Mariajo Ilustrajo is an award-winning Spanish illustrator based in the UK. She completed her MA in Children's Illustration from the prestigious Cambridge School of Art, before going on to be crowned the overall winner of the World Illustration Awards. Her debut picture book, Flooded, has been translated into 20 languages and won the Klaus Flugge Prize for Illustration.