Fagan, Cary. Ten Old Men and a Mouse. Illus. Gary Clement. Tundra Books. 2007. 32 p. $18.95. ISBN-13: 978-0-88776-716-6, ISBN-10: 0-88776-716-8. (Reviewed from an uncorrected proof)

        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 in 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? Why, some people might even recognize this one in downtown Toronto! 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.

For ages 4-7.

© Anne Dublin.

Originally published in Jewish Book World, Summer 2007.

All rights reserved.