Philomel Books, New York, 1992.
Hardcover edition, 48 pages, ISBN 0-399-22261-8.
In a splendid recreation of the old wisdom fable, Young sets each of the seven differently colored mice to visit the unknown object on a different day of the week. The black background creates a metaphor for the mice's blindness, and acts as a foil for their brilliant hues, as well the collage textures of their imagined visions. Only on Saturday does the White Mouse finally traverse the entire "Something", and put together the ideas generated by all of the mice to finally "see" the whole as an elephant.
"The Mouse Moral: Knowing in part may make a fine tale, but wisdom comes from seeing the whole."
Can be read and enjoyed by younger children learning their colors and the days of the week, but really requires a bit more philosophical savvy and discussion to help them internalize the concept conveyed by the moral.
Caldecott Honor Book
Boston Globe Hom Book Award
California Children's Media Award
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