Seven Blind Mice

Young, E. (1992). Seven Blind Mice. New York: Puffin Books.

Brief Annotation: In this adaptation of an Indian fable, six blind mice go one by one to investigate a strange Something by their pond. Each reports back to the others with a different answer in mind and only when the seventh mouse goes to explore the entire Something, does he return with the right answer – it’s an elephant!

Genre: Folklore

Grade Level: K through Grade 3

Readers who will like this: Children who enjoy fables, children who would benefit from a picturebook that expresses the value of teamwork, children who enjoy books with animals as main characters

Response/Rating (1-4): 4, The moral of the story, that of the value of wisdom and teamwork, is a great lesson for all children. The author’s use of texture to create the illustrations makes the brightly colored mice and elephant come alive in the story and will surely capture a child’s imagination.

One question you would ask before a read aloud: What does it mean to work together as a team?