Definitely Sherlock Holmes. Since The Great Mouse Detective is inspired by Sherlock Holmes, a crossover with the original Holmes would be very interesting. They could compare and contrast their detective methods.
One idea could be a crossover with Sherlock Holmes in the human world. The great mouse detective could team up with Holmes to solve a mystery that spans both the mouse and human realms. Maybe there's a villain causing chaos in both worlds and their combined skills are needed.
One way is to give the human a unique backstory. For example, if it's a detective in the Great Mouse Detective world, he could have a past that led him to be interested in solving cases in both the human and mouse worlds. Maybe he grew up near a place where the mice and humans interacted a lot, so he has a natural curiosity.
A human can be a helper. They could assist the mouse detectives by providing resources that are difficult for mice to obtain, such as certain tools or information from the human world.
One interesting story could be about the great mouse detective solving a mystery in an old, abandoned cheese factory. The clues are hidden among the cheese wheels and old machinery.
Probably courage and problem - solving. The mouse detective must be brave to face the challenges and mysteries in the story. And he has to use his intelligence to solve the problems he encounters. Also, there could be a theme of community, where different mouse characters work together towards a common goal.
The OC could be from a different part of the mouse world with unique skills, like being able to communicate with certain insects that can help in solving crimes. For example, they could get information from a spy spider about a villain's lair location. The OC then teams up with the great mouse detective to use this new lead to solve a big case.
Well, it has the potential to be. The concept of a mouse detective is unique and interesting. In children's literature, having an animal as the main character is quite common, and if this novel has a well - crafted plot, memorable characters, and positive themes, then it can definitely be a classic.
Think about their physical appearance. If they have large ears, it could be a trait that they use to their advantage, like being able to hear things from far away. Their appearance can also tie into their role in the story. If they have a small stature, they might be able to squeeze into tight spaces that other mice can't, which is useful for detective work. Also, consider their clothing. If they wear a tattered old coat, it could show that they are not from a wealthy background but still manage to look cool and unique.