Seven Blind Mice
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
A CALDECOTT HONOR BOOK
“Brilliantly elegant in design and artwork, this perfect picture book retells an old fable, while subtly conveying the concepts of color, numbers, and days of the week.”—School Library Journal
"It's a snake," says Green Mouse.
"It's a fan!" cries Orange Mouse.
"It's a spear," proclaims Yellow Mouse.
One by one, the six blind mice investigate the strange Something by the pond. And one by one, they come back with a different theory. It's only when the seventh mouse goes out—and explores the complete Something—that the mice see the whole truth.
A lesson in colors, numbers, the days of the week and most important, knowledge, this exquisitely illustrated book has stood the test of time and continues to entertain and teach. Based on a classic Indian tale, Ed Young's beautifully rendered version is a treasure to enjoy again and again.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In a stunning celebration of color Caldecott medalist Young ( Lon Po Po ) offers a vibrant variation on the fable of the blind men trying to identify an elephant. Seven differently-hued blind mice approach the ``strange Something'' in their midst on successive days and report their findings to the group. A large black square provides the background for each painting, a dramatic contrast to the brilliant images ``felt'' by the sightless rodents. Young's textured, cut-paper illustrations allow readers to visualize just how a floppy ear might be mistaken for a fan (``I felt it move!''); the elephant's curving trunk springs to life as both a jewel-green snake and a glowing yellow spear. The spare text permits greater exploration and enjoyment of the artwork--it may be difficult to read the story straight through without stopping to compare the various images. The ``Mouse Moral'' that concludes the tale--``Knowing in part may make a fine tale, but wisdom comes from seeing the whole''--may seem superfluous to those who prefer the imaginative ``vision'' of the mice. Ages 4-up.
