There's A Mouse In The House! Merry Christmas, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond

'Twas the days before Christmas and all through the house,

A tree is being decked, and it's done by a mouse!

With apologies to Clement Clark Moore, there IS one mouse who is stirring, and he's on the job decorating the Christmas tree.

But that's not his only job! Mouse is teaching counting, from one up to ten!

Mouse is a top-down decorator, so the first thing that goes up on the tippy-top of the tree is the star. Then there are two mice angels, a trio of lacy snowflakes, four running reindeer (where did Comet, Cupid, and the rest fly to?), and five snow fellows. Then Mouse reaches for six toy soldiers, and seven toy robots, followed by the traditional elfin helpers, nine mittens (That's 4 1/2 pairs. Did one little kitten lose her mitten?). And then Mouse adds ten more.. silver bells? gingerbread men? lords a-leaping?

What ARE the final ten ornaments Mouse adds in Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond's fat little board book for the youngest tree-trimmer? In their classic Christmas counting book,Merry Christmas, Mouse! (If You Give...) (Harper Festival, 2017, 2007), there are a few surprises to add to the fun for the youngest among us for holiday learning and fun that may inspire some counting practice on your own Yuletide tree or may make its appearance as a surprise stocking stuffer.