Reviewed by Jeanne
This is one of those books that you hear about, someone
commenting they loved it, best seller list, that sort of thing. What is missing is, “What is the book about?” After reading it, I can see why that part is
missing, because it’s not really a book one can pigeonhole. Described by the author as being for anyone “from
eighty to eight—I feel like both sometimes,” it consists of a series of ink and
watercolor drawings of the titular creatures with bits of dialog between them.
It’s a calming sort of book; the mole asks the boy what he
wants to be when he grows up and the boy responds, “Kind.” At another drawing, the mole says, “Most of
the old moles I know wish they had listened less to their fears and more to
their dreams.”
At one point they meet a fox caught in a snare, and though the
fox tells the mole if he weren’t trapped, he would eat him, the mole frees the
fox. The fox remains with the others, and (spoiler alert) does not eat the
mole. That is about as much of a plot as there is, but then this book isn't about plot.
At the publisher’s site, the book is promoted as offering
empathy and self-care. That’s what this
book is all about. It’s a moment to
pause and ponder, and for that reason, I think it’s best read a few pages at a
time rather than all at once.
The illustrations are charming, like those from a beloved
childhood book. Some of the
illustrations put me very much in mind of Ernest Shepard’s drawings for the
Winnie the Pooh books. The text is done
in a handwritten format which I confess I found a little difficult to read at
times but which does add to the intimate feel of the book and complements the
artwork.
So if you feel the need for a few minutes of peace during a
stressful time, this is an ideal book to turn to. It is thoughtful but not demanding and I
found it soothing, encouraging, and comforting.
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