Summary

Coraline and her parents move into a big, old house that has been divided into different apartments. Two old ladies — Miss Spink and Miss Forcible — live below Coraline and her family while an old man who claims to be training mice for a circus lives above them. Coraline spends the first two weeks she lives in the house exploring the garden and grounds. She finds the old tennis court, a well, rockery and rose garden.

One day it is raining and Coraline cannot go outside. She asks her mother what she should do but is not happy with any of her suggestions. She entertains herself for a while by watching a television program about animals and protective coloration, but really wants to explore. Her father tells her to explore the inside of the house. Coraline finds the home’s water heater, and counts the...