Article
Art by Paula Becker

Nine Mice

A funny, wintery poem

By By Jack Prelutsky | Art by Paula Becker
From the February 2026 Issue

Learning Objective: Students will enjoy reading a poem about nine mice that fall through ice.

Standards

Elements of Poetry

As you read, think about the words the poet uses. Do any rhyme or create a certain feeling?

Nine Mice

Nine mice on tiny tricycles

went riding on the ice,

they rode in spite of warning signs,

they rode despite advice.


The signs were right, the ice was thin,

in half a trice, the mice fell in,

and from their chins down to their toes,

those mice entirely froze.


Nine mindless mice, who paid the price,

are thawing slowly by the ice,

still sitting on their tricycles

. . . nine white and shiny micicles!

“Nine Mice” from The New Kid on the Block by Jack Prelutsky - Illustrated By: James Stevenson,

TEXT COPYRIGHT © 1984 BY JACK PRELUTSKY; ILLUSTRATIONS COPYRIGHT © 1984 BY JAMES STEVENSON, Used by permission of HarperCollins Publishers.

Audio ()
Activities (2)
Answer Key (1)
Audio ()
Activities (2) Download All Quizzes and Activities
Answer Key (1)
Text-to-Speech