Complete Version of ye Three Blind Mice
by John W. Ivimey
illustrated by Walton Corbould
Date: c1900
Publisher: Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd.
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 33
Format: e-book
Source: Read.gov
Relates the adventures of three mice who set out to roam in search of fun. Includes music for the round.
(synopsis from Goodreads)
How... creepy.
Well, it is a song about some mice who get their tails chopped off. I didn't realize, however, that the mice started out being able to see. In this version, they fell into a bramble hedge after being chased by a cat, which scratched their eyes and made them blind. Then the farmer's wife cuts off their tails.
But not to worry! They smell a chemist's and get a bottle of "Never Too Late to Mend", which grows their tails back and restores their eyesight. So they learn a trade and open a business. As you do when you're magically healed of a seemingly permanent condition...
The illustrations of the mice running around with their stumpy tails are kind of unnerving. Actually, so is the whole premise. And I don't know if this book is meant to follow the song or what, but the text has extra lines that seem to throw off the rhythm. I'm not sure why.
This is a fun read if you want to see a really old picture book, but for today's kids, I think I'd give it a pass.
Premise: 2/5
Meter: 2/5
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 2/5
Originality: 2/5
Enjoyment: 2/5
Overall: 2.14 out of 5
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