Ten Old Men and a Mouse

by Cary Fagan, Gary Clement (Illustrator)

The synagogue was once a busy, bustling place, but now only ten old men come to tend it and pray each day. Then one day, a little scritch-scratch betrays the first new member in a tiny mouse who has taken up residence among the holy books. Of course, a trap must be set, but who will do it? Al volunteers, but in the morning the mouse is still there, and is just a little more appealing than he was before.

Day after day, the men become more engaged, until the mouse has a bed, pictures on the wall, and a little carpet, not to mention all the treats the men bring. Then comes the biggest surprise of all. He is a she, giving the ten old men reason to celebrate with peach schnapps — and to plan a trip to the country where they find the perfect place to release their numerous charges. Back at the synagogue, fall turns to winter. The ten old men miss their mice until a little scritch-scratch….

Full of gentle humor and witty truisms, Cary Fagan’s Ten Old Men and a Mouse will delight both the young and old. Illustrations by Gary Clement heighten the fun.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 13, 2007

About the author

Cary Fagan has written numerous books for children, including What Are You Doing, Benny?, Little Blue Chair and Mr. Zinger's Hat, which was awarded the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award and the IODE Jean Throop Award. He has also won the Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People for his body of work. Cary was born and raised in Toronto, where he continues to live with his family.

Reviews

[Tamara]

A very good book (as reviewed by my 6 year old).

[Lynn Davidson]

Times had changed, and the local synagogue was kept going by ten old men. One day they discovered a mouse in the cupboard. Instead of getting it out they made it a home in there. The day they find baby mice in there, too, they realize they have to do something about it. Cute story with a funny ending. Great illustrations.

[Dawn]

I kind of thought this book had too much of an adult feel to it - but my students really did enjoy it. Another Cary Fagan great!