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The Tall Man and the Small Mouse
He's a tall man who likes to fix things. She's a small mouse who likes to find things. Could this be the beginning of a beautiful friendship?
On a tall hill, in a tall house, live a tall man and a small mouse. All day the man does tall things, like untangling swings and rescuing cats from trees. All night the mouse does small things, like finding pins and pens, corks and long-lost forks. The two never see each other until the day the mouse takes a snooze in the man's long shoes . . . SQUEAK! EEK! Can this duo get along -- and maybe even become the perfect mix? A rhythmic, rhyming narration pairs with charming illustrations to celebrate the tall and short of an unlikely friendship -- and the surprising benefits of working together.
On a tall hill, in a tall house, live a tall man and a small mouse. All day the man does tall things, like untangling swings and rescuing cats from trees. All night the mouse does small things, like finding pins and pens, corks and long-lost forks. The two never see each other until the day the mouse takes a snooze in the man's long shoes . . . SQUEAK! EEK! Can this duo get along -- and maybe even become the perfect mix? A rhythmic, rhyming narration pairs with charming illustrations to celebrate the tall and short of an unlikely friendship -- and the surprising benefits of working together.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published February 12, 2019
53 people want to read
About the author
Mara Bergman
45 books15 followersMara Bergman is an award-winning author, poet, and editor who has written more than twenty books for young children, including Bears, Bears Everywhere!; Snip Snap! What’s That?; Oliver Who Would Not Sleep; and Oliver Who Travelled Far and Wide. Born in New York and raised on Long Island, she now lives in England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
November 29, 2022
This book makes my heart sing. It’s a beautiful story about a tall man and a mouse who never met and how they become friends. The illustration are absolutely wonderful. I couldn’t resist buying this book. It’s a beautiful story and a beautiful picture book that anyone can enjoy.
August 26, 2025
I picked this up as I am reading quite a heavy, non-fiction book currently, and I felt that I needed a little light in my life.
The Tall Man and the Small Mouse is a very cute, colourful book about just what the title would suggest. A tall man lives in a tall house, but unbeknown to him, he shares his home with a small mouse. Both of them have things that they are very good at, and each goes about their business quite happily. Then there comes a time when something may just need both of them.
Personally I loved this little book. I was drawn to the illustrations initially, and I think they really do help to make this book what it is. They are beautifully drawn; there is enough detail for younger readers to enjoy finding all the little quirks there, and the colour palette is very charming. It is a simple story and although I felt the rhythm sometimes fell away, there is a sweet message to the tale as well.
For younger readers, I am sure that they would enjoy this book.
The Tall Man and the Small Mouse is a very cute, colourful book about just what the title would suggest. A tall man lives in a tall house, but unbeknown to him, he shares his home with a small mouse. Both of them have things that they are very good at, and each goes about their business quite happily. Then there comes a time when something may just need both of them.
Personally I loved this little book. I was drawn to the illustrations initially, and I think they really do help to make this book what it is. They are beautifully drawn; there is enough detail for younger readers to enjoy finding all the little quirks there, and the colour palette is very charming. It is a simple story and although I felt the rhythm sometimes fell away, there is a sweet message to the tale as well.
For younger readers, I am sure that they would enjoy this book.
February 4, 2019
Man and mouse develop a working relationship, then becolme friends.
February 10, 2025
Lovely!
Read
September 10, 2025In The Tall Man and the Small Mouse by Mara Bergman, the man and the mouse live next to each other, but they never see each other because they are always doing different things. The man likes to fix things, and the mouse likes to collect things. One day, the man goes into the town to fix a clock, but he is not able to see the problem because he can’t get inside. The man and the mouse end up working together to solve the problem after the mouse sneaks into the man’s home. They fix the clock and become friends.
I enjoyed reading this book! I loved the illustrations and the colors that the illustrator, Birgitta Sif, used. I also really liked how the author incorporated rhyming into the story because I felt like it made the book more whimsical and interesting to the reader. The moral of the story was really good, and I feel that this book could be read across many different grade levels.
I can think of many ways I could use this book in my classroom. The first idea that comes to mind is using it to discuss the importance of teamwork with my students. I also think I could use this book to explain how everyone has their own unique gifts and abilities, and we can work together and use our different gifts to get something done. This book could also be used in math class when talking about measurements, size comparison, or ratios.
I enjoyed reading this book! I loved the illustrations and the colors that the illustrator, Birgitta Sif, used. I also really liked how the author incorporated rhyming into the story because I felt like it made the book more whimsical and interesting to the reader. The moral of the story was really good, and I feel that this book could be read across many different grade levels.
I can think of many ways I could use this book in my classroom. The first idea that comes to mind is using it to discuss the importance of teamwork with my students. I also think I could use this book to explain how everyone has their own unique gifts and abilities, and we can work together and use our different gifts to get something done. This book could also be used in math class when talking about measurements, size comparison, or ratios.
March 1, 2019
Friends don't have to be the same, in fact, this sweet picture book tells the story of a very unlikely pair of friends. With fun rhyming text and lovely illustrations, this story celebrates the unique talents and gifts that the tall man and the little mouse possess that make them an extraordinary pair. The man does all the tall jobs - untangling swings, getting kites out of trees, etc. And the little mouse lives in the nighttime world collecting all the tiny things that the tall man won't miss. When the man is stymied by the town's clock that needs to be fixed, an all-night study session brings him into a close encounter with the little mouse that he didn't even know existed. Young readers will definitely be able to predict how this little mouse will become an enormous help to the tall man. It's nice to have stories that show that you're never to little to bring your talents and gifts to the world and to be helpful to those around you. This book could be a good way to help develop a growth mindset, as the mouse's small size doesn't stop her from doing her best to help. This could also be a good mentor text for young writers who want to write about how people and things that are opposites can actually be good for each other.
April 30, 2019
The Tall Man and the Small Mouse by Mara Bergman, illustrated by Brigitta Sif. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick, 2019. $17. 9781536201680
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) –OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
This is the story of a tall man who fixes tall things, and a small mouse who finds small things. They live together, but don’t really know each other exists. One day the tall man is trying to fix the clock tower and can’t because he’s too big to get inside. The mouse helps out and they become friends. Features tall pictures ins subdued harmonious colors.
The illustrations in this book are incredibly adorable and unique. I would like to see more by this illustrator. The story itself could use some work. It has a great rhyming scheme about half the time and then abandons it and picks it back up later, which is odd. I am not sure readers will understand what a clock tower is, how a paper airplane broke it, and how the clock was fixed.
Reviewer: Stephanie MLS & Author.
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) –OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
This is the story of a tall man who fixes tall things, and a small mouse who finds small things. They live together, but don’t really know each other exists. One day the tall man is trying to fix the clock tower and can’t because he’s too big to get inside. The mouse helps out and they become friends. Features tall pictures ins subdued harmonious colors.
The illustrations in this book are incredibly adorable and unique. I would like to see more by this illustrator. The story itself could use some work. It has a great rhyming scheme about half the time and then abandons it and picks it back up later, which is odd. I am not sure readers will understand what a clock tower is, how a paper airplane broke it, and how the clock was fixed.
Reviewer: Stephanie MLS & Author.
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
November 30, 2023
Opposite by appearance but helpful by nature, the tall man and the tiny mouse live together in a house, unaware of each other presence.
Both of them seem to find enjoyment from work in the community or at home. The man's kindness is appreciated in town when untangled swings or rescues a pet until he faces a challenge to fix the town clock, but neither his height nor skills seem enough. Accidentally, the man discovers that he is not the only occupant in the house, and from then on, the man-mouse pair collaborate on projects “whatever the weather”.
“The Tall Man and the Small Mouse” is a rhyming, repetitive story that would appeal to nursery/kindergarten children. It is a simple story that teaches everyone to bring their top assets and not figure it out from scratch in partnership.
Mara Bergman brings a joyful story, combined with Sif's beautiful illustrations, presenting the characters as good role models of kindness, hard work and curiosity.
Both of them seem to find enjoyment from work in the community or at home. The man's kindness is appreciated in town when untangled swings or rescues a pet until he faces a challenge to fix the town clock, but neither his height nor skills seem enough. Accidentally, the man discovers that he is not the only occupant in the house, and from then on, the man-mouse pair collaborate on projects “whatever the weather”.
“The Tall Man and the Small Mouse” is a rhyming, repetitive story that would appeal to nursery/kindergarten children. It is a simple story that teaches everyone to bring their top assets and not figure it out from scratch in partnership.
Mara Bergman brings a joyful story, combined with Sif's beautiful illustrations, presenting the characters as good role models of kindness, hard work and curiosity.
May 8, 2019
What does a very tall man do all day? Well, he picks apples, rescues cats stuck in trees, and fixes things no one else can fix. A very small mouse, who happens to live in the tall man's house, spends her time creeping about and finding things, like sharp nails and long-lost forks. When the town clock breaks and the tall man can't get inside to fix it he doesn't know what to do...until he finds a clever mouse in his boot who is the perfect size to navigate the inner workings of a large clock. This sweet story celebrates friendship and that which makes each of us unique. The unexpected rhyme scheme makes the book a delight to read aloud, and the soft pencil illustrations complement the text perfectly.
January 5, 2019
Written in a lilting, rhythmic verse, this is a modern fable of little and large and how everything and everyone has great value and special talents to share. The story is picth-perfect in its' pace and movement; easy to follow and filled with little surprises, a bit of drama and gentle conflict resolutions along the way. The emotional appeal is very strong, very satisfying. Birgitta Sifs' illustrations create a dream-like, enchanting landscape and bring fort a wonderful sense of characterisation. Each page painting, full of texture, with a beautifully suited colour palette. All in all, The Tall Man and the Small Mouse is enchanting; a story of teamwork and true friendship.
August 8, 2019
A tall man and a small mouse live together in a house on the hill. The tall man is adept at solving “tall” problems such as picking apples and rescuing cats from trees. The small mouse is busy at night finding tiny things like pins, coins, and rings. Find out how this unlikely pair finds each other and team up to solve a difficult problem together. Can opposites learn to work together? This lovely illustrated picture book written in rhyme provides the reader with an appealing look at how together we can be much better!
February 20, 2023
Fabulous book! The color palette and the wonderful illustrations make this book a joy to read. The Illustrator skillfully told her part of this story. The Author did a great job too. There were just a couple of places in the text that didn’t work for me hence the 4 not 5 stars.
The tall man is the catalyst for the broken clock. I didn’t notice that at first read even though the end-pages give lots of clues. 😁 Tracing back through the book to find the origin of the paper plane was fun.
The tall man is the catalyst for the broken clock. I didn’t notice that at first read even though the end-pages give lots of clues. 😁 Tracing back through the book to find the origin of the paper plane was fun.
February 20, 2019
This was so so cute. I loved the cadence of the text. "On a tall hill in a tall house lived a tall man and a small mouse." I love the pastel tones in the illustrations. The whole color palette is just very appealing. The tall man is trying to fix the clock, but can only do so once he befriends the little mouse, and she can go inside to investigate what is wrong.
April 17, 2019
The illustrations in this book are really sweet but unfortunately the text just doesn't quite measure up.
Often it seemed like words were chosen based purely on the rhyme.
Also I'm not sure how the mouse fixed the clock with "string and a cork , a coin and a key" she must indeed be very clever ;)
Often it seemed like words were chosen based purely on the rhyme.
Also I'm not sure how the mouse fixed the clock with "string and a cork , a coin and a key" she must indeed be very clever ;)
February 1, 2020
“As she’s so small and likes to find and I’m so tall and like to fix, together we’re the perfect mix!”
A tall man works all day fixing things; a small mouse spends all nice finding things. When the man can’t fix the clock because he can’t see inside to ascertain what is wrong, the mouse steps forward.
A tall man works all day fixing things; a small mouse spends all nice finding things. When the man can’t fix the clock because he can’t see inside to ascertain what is wrong, the mouse steps forward.
October 7, 2021
In a tall house live a tall man and and a small mouse. The tall man does tall things and the small mouse does small things. But when the town clock stops working the man discovers the mouse and a way to fix the clock.
Children will enjoy pointing out what made the clock stop. Recommended for storytime.
Children will enjoy pointing out what made the clock stop. Recommended for storytime.
August 30, 2024
I really loved this book. Much the same as I enjoy reading the comics in the local newspaper. It’s a beautiful story about relationships. The flyleaf says it ; rhythmic, rhyming narration celebrating the tall and short of two opposing friends, and the benefits of working together. A wonderful life ..
April 14, 2019
This is a story in rhyme about a tall man and a small mouse. They both are clever in their way and like to fix things around them. They become friends and fix things together.
Reviewed from a library copy.
Reviewed from a library copy.
August 6, 2019
A tall man likes to fix things. A small mouse likes to find things. They live on different schedules so rarely cross paths. But one day, the town clock is broken and the tall man and the small mouse have to work together in order to fix it.
Illustrations are whimsical.
Illustrations are whimsical.
March 11, 2019
Love the illustrations!
March 12, 2019
Meh. Kinda cute, but didn't hold my attention. Ages 4-6.
March 14, 2019
This was a cute story
March 25, 2019
Don't know why but something about this just bugged me. Maybe it was the rhyme scheme or the pastel colors but it was a little cloying. Overly sweet.
March 27, 2019
Loved the story. And the cadence of the rhymes was very fun!
April 26, 2019
Simple and sweet with rhyming prose and parable on how two different beings can get along and help each other fill their "weaknesses".
May 2, 2019
I love the soft colors and lines of the illustrations and the story of friendship with each friend having their own strengths.
May 22, 2019
well done
May 28, 2019
Not an original topic, but one that bares repeating - no matter your size you can do important things and friendship comes in all shapes, sizes, and species.
July 11, 2019
3.5 stars. Cute and a good message.
July 26, 2019
Each character learns that his special features (height/being small) are an asset.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews