Geronimo Stilton is an Italian illustrated chapter book series created by Elisabetta Dami.Herbert R. Lottman (9 February 2002) Milan, Italy's Trade Capital. Publishers Weekly. The books are written as the fictional memoirs of the title character, a mild mannered mouse who keeps getting into faraway adventures in both fictional and real locations. The books are illustrated and important words are shown in various colors and illustrative typefaces.
The series, combined with many spin-off series, has sold over 180 million copies worldwide and has 309 books in total. The series has also been adapted into an animated television series of the same name, theatrical shows, video games, and graphic novels.
Scholastic Corporation began publishing the English version of the series in the US in February 2004. In the UK, the English books are published by Sweet Cherry Publishing. In 2025, the book series was acquired by Italian animation studio Rainbow.
Creation In the 1990s, Elisabetta Dami found herself unable to have children, so she chose to volunteer at children's hospitals. Inspired by Patch Adams, who participates in Clown Care, she told humorous and adventurous stories starring the character of Geronimo Stilton and teaching morals to entertain patients. They appeared to love the stories, which would lead to her writing and publishing such stories.
Characters
Geronimo Stilton is the protagonist, and editor and publisher for The Rodent's Gazette, the most famous newspaper on New Mouse Island. He has a love of knowledge and has a strong sense of ethics and morals. Geronimo doesn't like to go on adventures with his family and friends, although he is passionate about writing adventure stories, which sell well in-universe. He was adopted by the Stilton family when he was young. Thea Stilton is Geronimo's younger sister and special correspondent for The Rodent's Gazette. Thea taught a journalism class at Mouseford Academy to five mice, Nicky, Colette, Violet, Paulina, and Pamela, who would name their group after her as the Thea Sisters and chronicle adventures of their own in the Thea Stilton series. She was also adopted by the Stilton family when she was young with her biological brother, Geronimo Stilton. Trap Stilton is Geronimo's cousin who travels along with him when he's called on. He is the owner of the thrift store Cheap Junk for Less and is often mentioned as a chef. He loves to tell jokes and play pranks, and often annoys Geronimo with his antics. Benjamin Stilton is Geronimo and Thea's young 9-year-old nephew and often comes along with him on his many adventures. William Shortpaws (originally Torquato Travolgiratti), also known as Cheap Mouse Willy, is the founder of The Rodent's Gazette and Geronimo's grandfather. He adopted Geronimo and Thea Stilton when they were young. Aunt Sweetfur is Geronimo's aunt, who lives with Benjamin. Sally Ratmousen is the main antagonist and publisher of The Daily Rat, the biggest competitor of The Rodent's Gazette. Her grandmother, Molly Ratmousen, founded The Daily Rat at the same time as The Rodent's Gazette founding. Creepella von Cacklefur (originally Tenebrosa Tenebrax)is an enchanting and mysterious mouse who lives in Mysterious Valley and works both as a special effects designer for scary films and haunted houses and as a journalist. She is the protagonist of her own spin-off series with the same name. She has a crush on Geronimo. Professor Paws von Volt is a scientist and Geronimo's friend. Hercule Poirat (a pun on Hercule Poirot, original name Noseymouse Squeak / Ficcanasso Squit) is Geronimo's childhood friend and the private investigator of New Mouse City, bringing him on many of his cases. He has a crush on Geronimo's sister, Thea. Petunia Pretty Paws (original name Patty Spring) is a TV reporter and an environmentalist, whom Geronimo has a crush on. She also has a pesky niece named Bugsy Wugsy. Wolfgang Wild Paws: is Petunia's twin brother and a TV producer, who is also an environmentalist. Pinky Pick is Geronimo's 12 year-old assistant editor at The Rodent's Gazette. She is an expert in computers and follows the latest trends. Tina Spicytail is a skilled cook for the Stilton family. Bruce Hyena (originally just Hyena/Iena)is a parachutist, adventurer, and Geronimo's adventurous friend who likes to sign him up on many crazy adventures. He also has a crush on his sister, Thea. Shorty Tao is Bruce Hyena's cousin, the managing editor of The Rodent's Gazette, and she has a little brother, Baby Tao. The Paws family lived on a farm for many generations in the Giant Sequoia Valley, in Dolphin Bay. They are good friends with the Stiltons. Bugsy Wugsy (original name Pandora Woz/Spring) is the daughter of John Wugsy and Furry Paws and Benjamin's best friend. Grandfather Paws is well-versed in natural sciences and once travelled the world in search of rare butterflies. Grandmother Paws at a young age, she travelled all over the world when planes were not built yet. Teddy Paws is the son of Grandfather and Grandmother Paws and brother of Bobby Paws. Jenny Littlepaw is Teddy's wife. Tom Paws is the son of Teddy and Jenny. Lucy Vally is Tom's wife. Lilly, Lally, and Lolly Paws are the daughters of Lucy and Tom. Lilly is five, Lally is seven, and Lolly is eleven. Bobby Paws is the son of Grandfather and Grandmother Paws and brother of Teddy Paws. Suzy Rattella is Bobby's wife. Furry Paws is the daughter of Bobby and Suzy and sister of Petunia and Wolfgang. John Wugsy is Furry's husband. The Shadow is a recurring antagonist, Sally Ratmousen's cousin and one of Mouse Island's most notorious criminals. She is a master thief and master of disguise who usually seduces Geronimo during their encounters. Champ Strongpaws is a friend of Geronimo who also likes to sign him up for adventures. Kornelius von Kickpaw, code name OOK, is Geronimo's childhood friend and a secret agent for the government of Mouse Island. He has a sister, Veronica von Kickpaw, who is also a secret agent and works under the code name OOV. Wild Willie is an archaeologist and adventurous friend of Geronimo and Bruce Hyena. He takes Geronimo on some adventures. Madame No is a recurring antagonist in the later books. She is the greedy, wealthy CEO of EGO Corp (Enormousely Gigantic Organisation Corporation) whose criminal endeavors often lead to her clashing with Geronimo and his friends.
Books
Not all books and series are listed; unless noted, the following are ones that have been or announced to be published in English.
Geronimo Stilton
Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye (February 2004, originally published in 1997 in Italy as Il mistero dell'occhio di smeraldo) () The Curse of the Cheese Pyramid (February 2004, originally published in 2000 in Italy as Il mistero della piramide di formaggio) () Cat and Mouse in a Haunted House (February 2004, originally published in 2000 in Italy as Il castello di Zampaciccia Zanzamiao) () I'm Too Fond of My Fur! (February 2004, originally published in 2000 in Italy as Ci tengo alla pelliccia, io!) () Four Mice Deep in the Jungle (March 2004, originally published in 2000 in Italy as Quattro topi nella giungla nera) () Paws Off, Cheddarface! (April 2004, originally published in 2000 in Italy as Giù le zampe, faccia di fontina!) () Red Pizzas for a Blue Count / Fangs and Feasts in Transratania (May 2004, originally published in 1997 in Italy as Una granita di mosche per il Conte) () Attack of the Bandit Cats / Attack of the Pirate Cats (June 2004, originally published in 1997 in Italy as Il galeone dei Gatti Pirati) () A Fabumouse Vacation for Geronimo / A Fabumouse Holiday for Geronimo (July 2004, originally published in 2002 in Italy as Quella stratopica vacanza alla pensione Mirasorci...) () All Because of a Cup of Coffee / Hang on to Your Whiskers (August 2004, originally published in 1999 in Italy as Tutta colpa di un caffè con panna) () It's Halloween, You 'Fraidy Mouse! (September 2004, originally published in 2001 in Italy as Halloween...che fifa felina!) () Merry Christmas, Geronimo! (October 2004, originally published in 2000 in Italy as È natale, Stilton!) () The Phantom of the Subway / The Ghost of the Underground (November 2004, originally published in 2000 in Italy as Il Fantasma del Metrò) () The Temple of the Ruby of Fire / The Temple of the Fire Ruby (December 2004, originally published in 2003 in Italy as Il tempio del rubino di fuoco) () The Mona Mousa Code (January 2005, originally published in 1997 in Italy as Il sorriso di Monna Topisa) () A Cheese-Colored Camper / A Cheese-Colored Camper Van (February 2005, originally published in 2000 in Italy as Un camper color formaggio) () Watch Your Whiskers, Stilton! / The Mystery of the Roaring Rat (March 2005, originally published in 2001 in Italy as Attenti ai baffi...arriva Topogoni!) () Shipwreck on the Pirate Islands / Shipwreck on Pirate Island (April 2005, originally published in 2003 in Italy as L'isola del tesoro fantasma) () My Name Is Stilton, Geronimo Stilton (May 2005, originally published in 1999 in Italy as Il mio nome è Stilton, Geronimo Stilton) () Surf's Up, Geronimo! (June 2005, originally published in 2000 in Italy as L'hai voluta la vacanza, Stilton?) () The Wild, Wild West (July 2005, originally published in 2005 in Italy as Quattro topi nel Far West!) () The Secret of Cacklefur Castle (August 2005, originally published in 2002 in Italy as Il segreto della Famiglia Tenebrax) () Valentine's Day Disaster (January 2006, originally published in 2005 in Italy as La vita e un rodeo!) () Field Trip to Niagara Falls / School Trip to Niagara Falls (March 2006, originally published in 2005 in Italy as In campeggio alle cascate del Niagara) () The Search for Sunken Treasure (June 2006, originally published in 2000 in Italy as Il misterioso del tesero scomparso) () The Mummy with No Name (August 2006, originally published in 2005 in Italy as La mummia senza nome) () The Christmas Toy Factory (October 2006, originally published in 2006 in Italy as Il mistero degli elfi) () Wedding Crasher (January 2007, originally published in 1999 in Italy as Benvenuti a Rocca Taccagna) () Down and Out Down Under (March 2007, originally published in 2006 in Italy as È arrivata Patty Spring!) () The Mouse Island Marathon (June 2007, originally published in 2004 in Italy as La maratona piu pazza del mondo!) () The Mysterious Cheese Thief (August 2007, originally published in 2005 in Italy as Il misterioso ladro di formaggi) () Valley of the Giant Skeletons (January 2008, originally published in 2006 in Italy as La valle degli scheletri giganti) () Geronimo and the Gold Medal Mystery (April 2008, originally published in 2004 in Italy as Lo strano caso dei Giochi Olimpici) () Geronimo Stilton, Secret Agent (July 2008, originally published in 2007 in Italy as Agente segreto Zero Zero Kappa) () A Very Merry Christmas (October 2008, originally published in 2007 in Italy as Inseguimento a New York!) () Geronimo's Valentine (January 2009, originally published in 2007 in Italy as Lo strano caso del tiramisu) () The Race Across America (April 2009, originally published in 2006 in Italy as La Corsa Piu Pazza d'America) () A Fabumouse School Adventure / A Fantastic School Adventure (July 2009, originally published in 2008 in Italy as Ore 8: a scuola di formaggio!) () Singing Sensation (October 2009, originally published in 2004 in Italy as Lo strano caso del sorcio stonato) () The Karate Mouse (January 2010, originally published in 2005 in Italy as Te le do io il karate) () Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro (April 2010, originally published in 2004 in Italy as Che fifa sul Kilimangiaro!) () The Peculiar Pumpkin Thief (July 2010, originally published in 2003 in Italy as Lo strano caso della Torre Pagliaccia) () I'm Not a Supermouse! (October 2010, originally published in 2008 in Italy as ) ()