A Friend for Mole

by Nancy Armo

Overview

Sometimes a new friend is just what you need to help you conquer your fears.

Mole has a comfortable and safe life in his burrow deep below ground. One day he is forced to venture out into the world, where the bright light overwhelms and intimidates him. Soon he is lost and frightened.

Night falls and just as Mole is feeling secure again, he senses another presence. Wolf is lost—and afraid of the dark. They decide to work together; Mole will keep Wolf company during the dark and Wolf will help Mole find his way home once day comes. As they pass the night together, these two strangers become fast friends and master their respective fears.

These endearing protagonists demonstrate how opposites can complement, strengthen, and support each other in a comforting story that explores fear and friendship.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781682632581
Publisher:	Holiday House
Publication date:	08/04/2020
Sold by:	Penguin Random House Publisher Services
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	14 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Nancy Armo has been drawing since she started coloring on walls with her crayons. Later she used that talent to study graphic design at the University of Washington, which led to a career as a graphic designer and art director for several corporations. She lives in New York.

Editorial Reviews

"This simple but effective story will encourage children to overcome nighttime fears, especially with the help of others."—School Library Journal

"Armo has a soft touch with the pencil and brush"—Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

03/01/2016
PreS-Gr 2—Mole enjoys life in his cozy burrow, imagining activities aboveground. When he ventures outside to investigate, the sunlight and noise disorient him so much that he loses his way and falls asleep under a bush. Awakening at night, he cowers from two bright eyes of a scary creature that turns out to be a young wolf who is frightened of the dark. Mole and Wolf help each other through the night by making up games and chasing imaginary monsters. In the morning, they find their way home. Spare background landscapes in the watercolor and pencil illustrations focus attention on the delightful main characters. VERDICT This simple but effective story will encourage children to overcome nighttime fears, especially with the help of others. The unlikely friendship of Mole and Wolf could continue to flourish in future adventures.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University Library, Mankato

School Library Journal

2016-01-09
An unlikely friendship buds. Armo's story starts with an image of Mole in his underground digs: "He liked...the quiet darkness all around." One day, "loud shouting and laughter" bring Mole to the surface to investigate, but he is blinded by the light (though his beady eyes squint only inconsistently). Sanctuary is found when he bumbles into a dark bush. There he meets Wolf. Wolf is scared of the dark, as Mole seems to be as well, though he says he is not. Curiously, Wolf has been chased into the bush by a rabbit, a skunk, and a beaver—what many a wolf would consider to be dinner. Mole and Wolf entertain each other until dawn, Wolf implicitly passing on another meal. At daybreak they venture out from the bush, and Wolf locates Mole's entrance to his burrow; at this point, they learn they are close neighbors. "Garbled" is the word for these proceedings: Mole's timorousness is confusing, both narrow and broad; Wolf, as any kindergartener knows, should be eating his nemeses and his new friend. Armo has a soft touch with the pencil and brush, but her characters are way too weirdly out of character. Bewildering. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews