Tag Archives: Moles

Elem. – Mole Is Not Alone

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Tatsukawa, Maya. Mole Is Not Alone. Illustrated by Maya Tatsukawa. Henry Holt and Company, 2023. 978-1-250-86964-7. $18.99. Unpaged. Grades PreK-2.

When Mole is invited to Rabbit’s party, he questions whether or not he should attend. Mole is extremely shy and worries that the party will be rowdy and full of people he doesn’t know. However, he ultimately decides to go to the party and then proceeds to doubt this decision the entire way there. When he arrives, he finds that there are others who were also hesitant to attend, and together they discover a less stressful way to forge a new friendship. Soft, muted illustrations provide a soothing, cozy backdrop, and readers will devour all of the tiny details incorporated into the artwork.

THOUGHTS: This endearing story about making friends on one’s own terms will be a welcome addition for all children who struggle with social anxiety. The delightful conclusion will provide reassurance for those who struggle in crowded social situations. Even the most sociable children can learn a lesson from this narrative, as Rabbit (the friendly, outgoing host) reacts only with patience and kindness when his bashful guests decide not to stay at his party.

Picture Book        

Elem. – Mole in a Black & White Hole

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Sediva, Tereza. Mole in a Black & White Hole. Thames & Hudson, 2021. 978-0-500-65205-3. Unpaged. $16.95. PreK-1.

Mole lives alone in a dark, damp, underground hole. His only friend is a bright pink chandelier that hangs from the ceiling (which readers can see is actually a root vegetable). Chandelier tries to persuade Mole to come to the surface, where there is sunshine and lots of color and life to be found, but Mole isn’t so sure. One day, Mole awakens to a warm sunbeam on his cheek and realizes that Chandelier is gone! Mole is very upset, but remembers what Chandelier told him about the world above. He finally finds the courage to climb up through the hole and explore, and what he finds changes his whole outlook on life. Unique illustrations consist of horizontal two-page spreads that show a distinct division between the black and white underground and the colorful aboveground. This uplifting story about finding the beauty in things is sure to stir something in all readers.

THOUGHTS: I love the subtle message conveyed by this story about optimism, determination, and intentionality. In the words of Chandelier, “There is so much color and so much life to be found. But to find it, you must search for it.”

Picture Book           Julie Ritter, PSLA Member

Elem. – The Superpower Field Guide

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Poliquin, Rachel. The Superpower Field Guide. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2018-2020. $13.76 ea. $55.04 set of 4. 95 p. Grades 3-6.

Beavers. 978-1-725-48225-8.
Eels. 978-1-725-48226-5.
Moles. 978-1-725-48227-2.
Ostriches. 978-1-725-48228-9.

What the average reader does not know about freshwater eels could fill volumes, and luckily there exists just the volume to educate us all. At a scant 96 pages, Eels, part of The Superpower Field Guide series, uses illustrations by Nicholas John Frith, diagrams, timelines, and more to accompany the story of Olenka, a freshwater eel living in a river in Russia. Readers will learn of the eel’s 10 superpowers, including wall crawling, double invisibility, and globe-spanning grit. Sections are short but high-interest and fact-filled, and the entire book could easily be read in one sitting.

THOUGHTS: A great addition to an elementary or middle school library where nonfiction circulates well.

597  Cold Blooded Vertebrates, Fishes          Melissa Johnston, North Allegheny SD