Seven Blind Mice

This picture-book version of the Indian fable tells of seven blind mice and their individual encounters with a mysterious "Something." For example, Red Mouse thinks he's encountered a pillar, while Green Mouse insists that he's had a run-in with a snake, and Purple Mouse is sure it's a cliff. Finally, when the seventh mouse goes to inspect the "Something," he puts together all the clues provided by the other mice and realizes that the "Something" is an elephant--whose leg is like a pillar, whose trunk is like a snake, and whose head is like a great cliff. A celebration of teamwork, this story can also be used to introduce young readers to colors, the days of the week, and the numbers one through seven. Illustrated with colorful cut-paper collages (turn the image of the cliff sideways to see a profile of the author/illustrator's father), SEVEN BLIND MICE is a 1993 Caldecott Honor Book.