Other editions of book Ten Old Men and a Mouse

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 years: 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.

This delightful picture book tells the story of ten old men who come to pray at the synagogue every morning and evening. One day, a mouse takes up residence among the holy books. What should the men do? After a half-hearted attempt to catch the mouse, the men begin to enjoy their new pet. After all, they haven’t had a new member for thirty-five years! They coddle the mouse until one day they realize that he is a she, who has given birth to ten babies. The men release the mouse family into the country, but soon miss their pet. Not to worry. The mother mouse returns to the synagogue, ready to take up her cozy life once more. This gentle story of loneliness and friendship strikes an honest chord. Each old man is depicted as an individual, who might be someone’s “zayde” going to “daven” at the old “shul”. Who has not seen a nearly abandoned synagogue in the city’s downtown core? The watercolor illustrations by Gary Clement complement the text with plenty of humorous details. Ten Old Men and a Mouse is sure to enchant young and old alike. Ages 4–7.

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 years: 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."