In this entertaining children's tale, St. Patrick has driven the snakes out of Ireland, but one crafty, clever snake escaped. Ryan, Brian, and Tulla do not want to become tasty mouse meals for this reptile! So they gather their courage and devise a crafty, clever--and risky--plan of their own to help St. Patrick find the sneaky snake. One sleepless night, with the moon high, the little mouse Tulla scurries from her nest. As she quietly enjoys the evening, the peace is interrupted by Snake slithering from the forest. He is the only snake left in Ireland, the lone creature who has been clever enough to escape St. Patrick and his miraculous bell--and he has a taste for mouse meals. Her whiskers quivering with fright, Tulla watches Snake as he stealthily steals the bell from a sleeping St. Patrick. Despite her fear, Tulla devises a plan just as crafty as Snake's. With the help of two brave mice, she will restore the bell and help St. Patrick rid the Emerald Isle of its last snake. Joyce A. Stengel worked as a registered nurse before pursuing her passion for writing. She received a B.A. in English from the University of Hartford, followed by an M.F.A. from Central Connecticut State University. Stengel has published five previous books, two of which were selected as Scholastic Book Fair choices. She lives in Connecticut with her husband. Herb Leonhard has worked as a freelance illustrator and graphic designer for more than two decades, and his work has won gold, silver, and merit awards. He specializes in children's book illustrations, portraiture based on music and entertainment themes, fantasy, and floral and landscape images. Leonhard lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife, son, horse, two cats, and many chickens. Joyce A. Stengel’s enthusiasm for telling enchanting tales began at an early age. Her mother was a wonderful storyteller and encouraged Stengel’s strong interest in reading and writing. Now an award-winning author of several books and scholarly articles, her deepest passion is still writing for children.    Two of Stengel’s novels, Mystery of the Island Jewels and Mystery at Kittiwake Bay, were selected as Aladdin Scholastic Book Fair Choices. A member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, she is a recipient of the Tassy Walden Award for New Voices in Children’s Literature, presented by the Shoreline Arts Alliance.    Before becoming an author, Stengel earned a degree in nursing from Hartford Hospital School of Nursing. While working as a registered nurse, she began to pursue her dream of becoming a writer by taking English courses in her spare time. She earned a BA in English from the University of Hartford, where she graduated cum laude, and eventually received her MA in English from Central Connecticut State University while working as a writing center coordinator.    Stengel believes that writing is a daily commitment, requiring concentration and creativity. She enjoys the process of putting together imaginative ideas and turning them into an inspiring story that children everywhere will adore. Stengel resides in South Glastonburg, Connecticut, where she and her husband cherish the time spent with their family.