Six blind mice and an elephant - Jude Daly

One day a tired old elephant plods out of the forest and falls asleep in a farmer's barn. Amid the ensuing commotion, six curious blind mice enter the fray:

'... An elephant is like a wall,' says the oldest mouse, as he falls against the elephant's massive, solid side. 'No,' says a younger mouse, touching one of the sharp tusks. 'An elephant is like a spear!'

A tree... a rope... a snake? Each mouse has his or her own interpretation after touching different parts of the elephant. But then the huge creature awakes - and only then is the full wonder of his being revealed.

Based on a classic Indian fable, Jude Daly's new picture book, set in the South African countryside, is an inspiring, multi-layered allegory.

JUDE DALYis an internationally renowned South African author and illustrator whose distinctions include an IBBY Illustrator Honour Book award and South Africa's Katrine Harries Award (twice). Born in London, she grew up in South Africa. She is also the author and illustrator ofSixBlind Mice and the Elephantfor Otter-Barry Books. She and her husband, the author Niki Daly, live inKleimond, Cape Province, South Africa.

"Beautifully told and imaginatively illustrated, this book should be in all primary schools."

"A warm and inspiring story with a warm palette of colour adorning its pages. Delve in and learn more about friendship through a classic Indian folk tale."

"Perfect for discussion with early years or primary children....Glowing African light radiates from every one of the illustrations."

"An unusual and thought-provoking book which shows we should never take things for granted."

"Sweet illustrations and an updated ending to an old fable allow the moral to come through without the conflicts of earlier versions. Lovely."