Seven Blind Mice

by Ed Young

Book Overview

"It's a pillar," says one. "It's a fan," says another. One by one, the seven 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 whole Something-that the mice see the whole truth. Based on a classic Indian tale, Ed Young's beautifully rendered version is a treasure to enjoy again and again.

"Immensely appealing."(The Horn...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399222618
• ISBN13: 9780399222610
• Release Date: April 1992
• Publisher: Philomel Books
• Length: 48 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 10.4" x 11.1"
• Age Range: 3 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 2

Customer Reviews

Pleasantly surprised

My six year old really enjoyed this book. He asked me to read it several times. It went with his school curriculum, and I honestly thought, judging by the cover, that it was just going to be an okay book and he probably wouldn’t enjoy it that much. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was really good. While teaching a moral, it also teaches the days of the week and colors. I’m really glad it was something that was required for him to read, we both enjoyed it.

The seventh mouse took his time.

This book was wonderful. The illustrations were so bright and distinct. There are seven blind mice tring to figure out the identity of an object by feeling it. The first six mice make their decisions very quickly, therefore making the wrong choice. The seventh mouse takes his precious time. He runs on top of the object. He runs back and forth. When he finally makes his decision it is the correct one. This book would be great in teaching children to look at every angle of a situation before making a decision.

Seven various colored blind mice try to examine an elephant.

This book retells the ancient Indian tale of seven blind men who try to decide what an elephant is like based on examining one part of it. In this book, it is seven blind mice that examine the elephant; six of them draw incorrect conclusions based on one feel, whereas the seventh mouse takes it's time, and learns the truth about the elephant. I was particularly pleased with the moral of this story.The mice are each of a different color and examine the elephant on a different day, which helps expose children to the concepts of color and days of the week. The artwork is humorous which helps with children too young to read, and the text is simple enough for young readers. For reference purposes, my own 1st grader had no problem reading this book.

Superbly illustrated classic folk tale.

Seven Blind Mice is a beautiful book to share with children. Young's magnificent collage illustrations set against a stark black backdrop are mysterious and compelling. His text is sparse, poetic, and wholly to the point. Every time I have shared this book with my kindergarten class, they have asked for it again and again. I heartily recommend it for children,parents, and teachers. Young's message to know the whole elephant before you proceed is a timely one for everyone.

A philosophical book for all ages; a feast to the eyes!

Six out of seven curious mice draw fast conclusions of the unknown. The seventh, the wise takes time to learn. A beautiful book full of color that excites the imagination and transfers wisdom.

In order to understand, the whole has to be perceived.

This is a children's book based on the famous Indian fable about blind mice who encounter an elephant, each describing it differently: the moral being that you must "see" the whole object to truly know it. The book was a 1993 Caldecott Honor book (i.e., a runner-up to the Medal winner) for best illustration in a book for children and the beautiful collages enhance the story. This is the best presentation of this famous tale that I have seen.