Mouse and Mole: A Winter Wonderland

Wong Herbert Yee's Mouse and Mole

by Wong Herbert Yee (Author/Illustrator)

Yippee! It is a winter wonderland! What better day for Mouse and Mole to go sledding, whirl around on ice skates, and build snowmen together?

But Mole does not want to go outside. Too cold! Too windy! He prefers to stay as snug as a bug in a rug inside his nice, warm bed.

Mouse is lonely. Ice skating and sledding just aren’t as fun for one. Then she gets an idea…a Sno-Mole might do the trick! Mole won’t be needing his hat or scarf or mittens…or will he?

Sometimes even best friends want to do different things. But at the end of a cold winter’s day, it's nice to know that your best friend will be there waiting for you, with warm mittens and all.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship, Chapter Books, Animals, Audiobook, Fiction

48 pages, Hardcover

First published November 15, 2010

About the author

I was born in Detroit, Michigan, one of seven. My first grade teacher tacked a drawing of mine, Horse with Feedbag up on the bulletin board. From there I went on to study art at Wayne State University, graduating in 1975 with a BFA in printmaking. I had my fair share of rejections at the start, but through perseverance my first picture book, EEK! There’s a Mouse in the House was published by Houghton Mifflin in 1992. My latest early reader, Mouse and Mole Fine Feathered Friends received a 2010 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Award.

Reviews

[Sandra]

3.5-4 stars

[Tiffany]

My son (age 6) loved this book. He was laughing at different parts throughout the story, and he is already asking to get the other ones in the series.

[Lorellie]

The seasonal cute is off the charts. I'm surprised how well Tot followed along with an early chapter book already. My girl is getting big.

[Kelly Anderson]

If you're a fan of Frog and Toad, this is the book for you.
I mean, you can't go wrong with cute animals doing cozy things.

[Sarah W]

I first encountered Mouse and Mole when student teaching in an elementary school library in Fall 2010. I was pleased to see A Winter Wonderland arrive at the school I now work at. The artwork is sweet and makes this friendship really come alive in these four short chapters. This book will appeal to fans of other readers starring animal friends, such as Frog and Toad

The book begins with Mouse bundling up for a warm day outside. Children will enjoy the sound effects and enthusiasm as she gets ready and then then races off to find her friend. Mole, on the other hand, wants to hide from the snowy weather in his bed. This first scene reminds me a little bit of the start of Bedtime for Bear, another great start of winter story.

Mouse has a great time playing outdoors, but something is missing. That something is a friend who will play in the snow. She builds herself a snow mole and then borrows Mole's winter things to finish it up. Meanwhile the real Mole is getting bored of being warm inside his bed. He peeks outside and is shocked to Mouse with a new friend. Children will recognize this frozen new friend before Mole figures it out.

This playful book is a great one to promote at the start of winter. I could see children having a lot of fun doing the first chapter as a book trailer - bundling up in a blanket like Mole or pulling on snow pants like Mouse.

[Beth]

Mouse and Mole: A Winter Wonderland reminded me so much of Frog and Toad All Year that it made me smile. Mouse and Mole are such good friends but come winter Mole wants to sleep. Mouse has plans for the day, sledding, skating, and throwing snowballs. She become lonely and builds a sno-mole. Mole peeks out the window and becomes jealous. This story teaches us a lesson about friendship and what it means to be a good friend. This book like Frog and Toad is part of a series.
realistic/fantasy talking animals with human problems
Reviews & Awards
Booklist 11/15/10
Kirkus Review 10/01/10

Horn Book 05/01/11
School Library Journal 11/01/10

[Mateo]

This is such a wonderful little chapter book. Simple and charming, with several funny moments, it tells a cute story about two friends--super-excited mouse and kind-of-grumpy mole--who are nice to each other and have a great relationship. It is a little like Frog and Toad, or like Pig and Goose, in that the characters are sweet and there is no bullies, conflict, etc.
These books are proof that there is no need to create conflict or have "bad guys" in kids' stories to make them entertaining or funny. There are a few amusing moments, and overall, it is a great read. Thank you to Wong Herbert Yee for writing this charming book and we look forward to the other books in the collection!

[Meredith]

This picture book features four stories about Mouse and Mole:
• "Snug as a Bug"
• "Sno-Mole"
• "The New Friend"
• "Sno-Mouse"

In "Snug as a Bug," Mouse tries to convince Mole to play outside with her.

In "Sno-Mole," Mouse builds a snowman.

In "The New Friend," Mole sees Mouse playing outside with her snowman.

In "Sno-Mouse," Mole builds a snowman, and Mouse and Mole go sledding.

These are four gentle stories about two woodland animals who are friends. They emphasize friendship, thoughtfulness, and consideration for others. They also focus on common occurrences, which affords young readers the opportunity to reflect on their own experience and the experience of others.

[Jo Oehrlein]

Mouse wants to play in the snow. Mole thinks it's a good day to stay in bed.
Mouse finds sledding and skating by herself to be not so fun.
She makes herself a snow friend that she calls Sno-Mole and takes this friend out sledding and skating.
Mole spots them out the window and comes to investigate.
Mole later makes a Sno-Mouse.

Sno-Mouse and Sno-Mole stay outside together while Mouse and Mole go inside to drink warm drinks and snuggle into warm blankets.

[Jess Wilson]

The kids liked it

It’s a nice story about two friends where one doesn’t want to play in the snow while the other one does. Eventually the one gets bored of hiding in its bed to come out and play. They had fun together.

[Rebecca Gomez]

Cute little early chapter book.

[Sherrie]

Adorable illustration and a sweet story about friendship and fun. Mouse and Mole come together to take in all the joys a beautiful winter day can offer.

[Joy Keil]

Frog and Toad feel - very similar

[Maughn Gregory]

So charming and gentle, without being saccharine or needlessly zany -- much like the Little Bear books I love so much.

[Alice]

3.5 stars for this emergent reader which shows how opposites can compromise and still remain true to themselves and their friendship

[Ranette]

While in this series mouse and mole play together as human children would, it is lots of fun to read.

[Anne]

Any of these series is good!

Found in L4L Volume 96.

[Emily F]

Early chapter book with mild, slow content featuring positive relationships

[Heidi Ostergaard]

I had never heard of Mouse and Mole books but what a cute duo. Lovely book that is a good mix between chapter book and picture book. We will be reading more!

[Maria Barbosa]

Uma bela história de amizade em um belo dia de inverno. Divertido e muito bom.

[Amanda]

easy reader - good for winter

[J.]

AR Quiz No. 140638 EN Fiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: LG - BL: 2.7 - AR Pts: 0.5

[Christine Turner]

Yippee! It is a winter wonderland! What better day for Mouse and Mole to go sledding, whirl around on ice skates, and build snowmen together? But Mole does not want to go outside. Too cold! Too windy! He prefers to stay as snug as a bug in a rug inside his nice, warm bed. Mouse is lonely. Ice skating and sledding just aren't as fun for one. Then she gets an idea…a Sno-Mole might do the trick! Mole won't be needing his hat or scarf or mittens…or will he? Sometimes even best friends want to do different things. But at the end of a cold winter's day, it's nice to know that your best friend will be there waiting for you, with warm mittens and all.

Lexile:410

School Library Journal recommends this book for grades 1 - 3.

Kirkus reviewed it as an early reader. for children who are 5 through
8 years old.

Note: This would be a great choice for a child who is just starting to read chaper books. Simular to Frog and Toad in spirit and in the format.




Subjects

Best friends -- Juvenile fiction

Friendship -- Juvenile fiction

Snowmen -- Juvenile fiction.

Snow -- Juvenile fiction

Mice -- Juvenile fiction

Moles (Animals) -- Juvenile fiction

[Vance Allen]

This book was mighty cool. I can not imagine being a mouse or a mole so the author is very creative. The beautiful snow illustration and the sneaky addition of difficult words makes this the perfect book for an emerging reader. The plot could get a little thicker but I enjoyed reading this as an adult.

I think the author could have done more character development and gave our characters predictable behaviors. The story lines often seemed connected among the theme of winter but this is is. I think this book teaches the reader the importance of friendship and gives the reader one group of friends to look up to. I would write fictional tales that allow my readers to experience somewhere new.

[Rosa Cline]

A fun 'friend' book... Mouse is excited about the snow that has fallen and wants to go out and play. Mole on the other hand is cold and sleepy and wants to stay in bed. Mouse goes out with out him and trys to have fun by herself. But She still misses Mole so she makes a snowman or snow mole and then as Mole looks out his window he sees someone with Mouse! So he gets excited and has to 'rescue' her he puts on all his winter clothes but some is missing! When he gets outside he finds a nice surprise that Mouse has done and also the cold snow wasn't as bad as he thought at first either! A very fun friendship book!

[Shannon]

Amazon Book Description:
Yippee! It is a winter wonderland! What better day for Mouse and Mole to go sledding, whirl around on ice skates, and build snowmen together?

But Mole does not want to go outside. Too cold! Too windy! He prefers to stay as snug as a bug in a rug inside his nice, warm bed.

Mouse is lonely. Ice skating and sledding just aren’t as fun for one. Then she gets an idea…a Sno-Mole might do the trick! Mole won’t be needing his hat or scarf or mittens…or will he?

Sometimes even best friends want to do different things. But at the end of a cold winter’s day, it's nice to know that your best friend will be there waiting for you, with warm mittens and all.

[Reader]

Mouse and Mole are best friends, but they couldn't see winter more differently. While Mouse can't wait to get Mole so they can go skating and sledding, Mole would rather stay in his nice, cozy bed and sleep. Mouse builds a Sno-mole, but it's not quite the same as having a real friend to play with. And Mole realizes warm and cozy inside is a little bit lonely without Mouse. The short , humorous chapters and appealing illustrations in this edition of Mouse and Mole are perfect for new readers. ~sj

[Stacy Ford]

Mouse sees the newly fallen snow as exciting and cannot wait to go play with his friend Mole. However, Mole would rather snuggle under the covers and sleep the day away. Undeterred, Mouse makes a "Snow-Mole" and has a fun day of his own. Upon waking Mole sees his replica Snow Mole and becomes jealous. After layering on clothes for the day he heads out to play with Mouse.

[Dolly]

This is a fun tale for the wintertime, featuring pals Mouse and Mole. The story is broken up into short chapters and with colorful illustrations, it's great for young children who are just starting to read chapter books. We enjoyed reading this story together.

[Kay]

Here's one entry in a cute early reader series that I'll recommend to patrons along with Cynthia Rylant's series, Annie and Snowball, Henry and Mudge, Mr. Putter and Tabby, and Poppleton, plus the Cork and Fuzz series by Chaconas, and the classic of ER series, Lobel's Frog and Toad. I notice a pattern here - I seem to favor book series that star two good friends. (Poppleton has Fillmore).