Mouse and Mole Have a Party

Mouse and Mole

by Joyce Dunbar, James Mayhew (Illustrator)

Mole can't help but get himself into difficulty, but thankfully he has Mouse to ensure things go smoothly, even when he least expects it! The two cohabiting animals are characters that stand alongside the greats of children s literature Sunday Times One in a series of gentle and humorous story collections by acclaimed author and illustrator team Joyce Dunbar and James Mayhew. A new edition of these classic stories returns them to print for the enjoyment of a further generation of readers. Perfect for shared reading with younger children and for older children to read independently.

Genres: Animals, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published May 16, 2019

About the author

Joyce Dunbar is an English author of over seventy children’s books, best known for Tell Me Something Happy Before I Go To Sleep, This Is The Star, and the Mouse and Mole series. Born in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, she studied English at Goldsmiths College before teaching drama until hearing loss led her to write full time in 1989. Her first children’s book appeared when she was 35, followed by works such as Mundo and the Weather-Child, which explored the experiences of a deaf child and earned critical recognition. Her stories have been adapted for stage, television, and interactive media, with Mouse and Mole becoming a 26-part animated series. She has also been an advocate for deaf awareness, cycling across Cuba for charity. Dunbar lives in Norwich.

Reviews

[Hilary]

I've read a couple in this series and have found them both problematic, the storyline of mole being obsessed with food, overeating on cakes and pies to the point he can't move and then saying he will starve himself the following day is just so inappropriate for young readers I'm surprised that for a recently published book this got past the ideas stage.

This book only lightly covers Mole's pie obsession but the story lines are awful. These are the most tedious stories I can remember reading. It's a pity as the illustrations are nice enough, despite of a bit of a 70's feel with some silly expressions and clown boot style feet. Not recommended.

[Sophie Crane]

This book (As are all the Mouse & Mole Books) is magnificently illustrated and the stories are tender and kind. I could read and reread the whole series and marvel at the lovely pictures.

[Charlotte]

First, the good: I loved the illustrations in this book. They're comforting, like a warm quilt on a chilly day.

However, I had a couple problems with the text. Right away, the book felt too similar to Arnold Lobel's Frog and Toad classics. The dialogue, the everyday storylines, and even the illustration of the two chairs in front of a fire-- it was all too close to my children's the favorite bedtime stories.

I was most bothered by the stories about food. In child and adolescent development, we know that a healthy relationship with food and one's body is hampered by being taught that certain foods are "virtuous" and other foods are bad. In the story, "Salad," Mole eats a lot and declares that he'll only eat salad the next day. But he goes on to eat salad after already feeling full and decides that because he ate the salad (the virtuous food), he "deserves" to eat a treat. In the next story, Mole talks about exercising and not eating at all one day because of having eaten too much the day before. Mole has an unhealthy relationship to their body and to food.

This is very ill-advised material for a children's book.
Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for a free ARC for review.

[Shilo Quetchenbach]

This was really cute and funny. I read it with my 8-year-old, and he found it amusing. It reminded me a lot of the Frog and Toad books - it has that same bumbling silly vibe. In fact, many of the adventures were reminiscent of ones that Frog and Toad would have gone on. It's a perfect quick and entertaining read for kids.

The reading level isn't difficult either, and my 8-year-old had no trouble reading it aloud. So I would recommend it as a fun read-aloud for a 2nd-3rd grade reading level and also as a fun story to read to younger kids.

The illustrations have a sketchy, old-fashioned feel reminescent of the original Winnie the Pooh books, with warm colors that draw you in. There is a lot of humor in the expressions of the animals as well as in the movement of the lines of the illustrations. The illustrations match the tone of the text perfectly and enhance the impact of the story being told.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Star Bright Books for providing an e-arc for review.

[Denise]

Fashioned with beautiful illustrations, and loaded with whimsy, this book gives a modern interpretation of the classic book, Wind and the Willows. Mouse and Mole are best friends to must learn to manage their household. In spite of their differences, or unexpected changes in their plans.

This book is perfect for children who are becoming independent readers. They will love the beautiful illustrations and the silly friends.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to provide an honest and sincere review.

[Carla]

Mouse and Mole Have a Party is an early reader chapter book, made up of three stories. Mouse and Mole are best friends and share a home. Mole is always getting into situations and Mouse has to help him out. In the first story, he accidentally picks the first daffodil in spring from their garden. They put it in water, but he feels so bad, he can't enjoy it, so he takes it back outside and sticks it back on the stem. The next morning Mouse sees it is dead. When Mole gets up, he is excited to see the daffodil growing again. Of course it is a different one, but Mouse doesn't tell him. The second story is about trimming his whiskers because they are uneven and when he trims them all, he is upset. His friends tell him he has bristles now and they are better, giving him reasons. He realizes that they will grow back. The final story is about getting the things you least expect. They spend the day least expecting things, but they still don't get them until the end. Although they were not exactly what they were wishing for, it is a cute ending. My grandkids were just okay with these stories, but they did love the illustrations.

[Jared White]

Hmm, maybe closer to 2.5 stars rather than 3. I haven't read the rest in the series so I cannot speak to them but this had a slight Frog and Toad feeling to it though it wasn't nearly as good. It's a bit wordy and not nearly as charming as the aforementioned series.

[Sybil Somerset]

Like Lo & Behold, Mouse & Mole's Party is a very cosy read - no sudden surprises or loud noises, just lessons on handling depression, aging and least expecting things in a way everyone can understand, not just kids, but grown ups too.

Totally recommend.

[Tracie]

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a chance to read and review this adorable children's book! Very lovely and likable characters along with a funny story!

[Lindsey Lawntea]

Mouse and Mole is a young reader's book that is inspired by Frog and Toad, which was a favorite from my childhood. There is a framing story about how Mouse and Mole are planning to take a walk and have a picnic, but each chapter is different. One chapter is about how the weather is not nice enough to go for a walk so they spend the day inside, one is about how they spend the day cleaning their home but aren't very successful, one is about hoarding/decluttering, etc. Mouse and Mole are funny at times with how they make these plans but fumble them every time. There were some times where the story felt completely ripped off of Frog and Toad, like when they are overeating. This definitely is not a book to teach kids good manners or life skills - but it is pretty funny and if they like Frog and Toad they might enjoy this as well. Because it was so similar to Frog and Toad and mentions them in the acknowledgements, I could not help but compare it and it did fall short. It's not quite as good as Frog and Toad, but I didn't dislike it either.

Note: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated in any other fashion for the review and the opinions reflected below are entirely my own. Special thanks to the publisher and author for providing the copy.

[Melki]

Mouse and Mole are housemates who share some sweet and simple adventures . . . like the quandary over what to do with the first daffodil of spring.

Should they leave it outdoors, or bring it inside for easier admiring?

I can't say enough about James Mayhew's delightful illustrations. They lend an old-fashioned appeal to the stories, and his characters seemed plucked from The Wind in the Willows.

I absolutely LOVED this one, and can't wait to read more about this darling pair.

Thanks to NetGalley and Star Bright Books for letting me meet these two.

[Jo]

This is the story of a unique friendship of a mouse and a mole. They lived together and have fun together. It begins with a plan for a picnic tomorrow, but only if it's a fine day. They ended up staying home and do fun stuffs. This taught me that wherever you are, you can always look forward with positivité and have fun.

[Amanda Murphy]

This little book brings to mind the Frog and Toad books. The dialogue and writing style are very similar. Even the illustrations, though they kind of have a different tone. I thought it was adorable.

[Erin]

Mouse and Mole is a very sweet and gentle story, perfect for fans of Arnold Lobel. It follows friends, Mouse and Mole as they go about their days, spending time together. This story would make a great bedtime family read-aloud.

[Lucy Hudson]

A sweet chapter book for early readers starring a mouse and a mole and reminiscent of Frog and Toad.

[Joy Moore]

MOUSE AND MOLE
This chapter book tells the tale of everyday adventures two friends Mouse and Mole. Soft illustrations and a cozy read.