Eeny and Her Sisters

by Jane Yolen, Kathryn Brown (Illustrator)

Overview

Written by the prolific Jane Yolen, the charming characters from Eeny, Meeny, Miney Mole and Eeny Up Above return in the third installment of this picture book series that explores themes of agoraphobia, anxiety, and bravery.

Eeny Mole lives at the bottom of a deep dark hole with her two sisters. If it were up to her sisters, she would never leave the hole, but Eeny loves to go exploring—especially in the spring.

In this final Eeny Mole picture book, Eeny tries to encourage her sisters to face their fears as she has done and venture into the world Up Above.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781623717056
Publisher:	Interlink Publishing Group, Incorporated
Publication date:	03/26/2024
Series:	Jane Yolen's Eeny Series
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	11.00(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.10(d)
Age Range:	3 - 8 Years

About the Author

The amazingly prolific Jane Yolen, has been called “America’s Hans Christian Andersen.” She is the distinguished author of over 300 books, including Fairy Tale Feasts, Jewish Fairy Tale Feasts, Owl Moon and Devil’s Arithmetic. She lives on an old farm in western Massachusetts with numerous moles who do not seem to be afraid of anything. She enjoys taking walks along the river near her house and visiting people, including her editors—in fact, she wrote this book in the office of one of them.

Kathryn Brown has illustrated numerous highly-acclaimed picture books for children. She lives with her husband and their daughter near Jane Yolen in western Massachusetts. She did not, however, use the moles on Jane Yolen's farm as models for this book. (They were too hard to catch.)

Editorial Reviews

01/08/2024

Yolen returns to the snug hole of siblings Eeny, Meeny, and Miney Mole in this comforting addition to the Eeny Series. While Meeny and Miney “loved the sweet darkness” of their burrow, where “dark was light, day was night, and all the seasons seemed the same,” the outside world beckons to intrepid young Eeny. Concerned about possible dangers, the anxious family members take to bed with “the collywobbles and feelings” when Eeny reveals some of the new things she’s experienced aboveground. Luckily, one of Eeny’s delicious discoveries proves an ideal enticement to encourage Meeny and Miney out of their comfort zone. Throughout this likeable low-key adventure, Brown’s carefully rendered interiors fill the mole hole with homey domestic details, while the wider world is prettily pictured, replete with birds, butterflies, and flowers. Ages 3–8. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly

Eeny, Meeny, and Miney Mole are sisters who live in a deep, dark burrow. Meeny and Miney are content in their predictable, quiet home, but Eeny longs to be part of the Up Above; she visits often—despite her older sisters’ scolding. Nothing Eeny tries convinces her sisters to venture into the light; only an acorn cup of cocoa sparks a compromise. Watercolor illustrations portray the blossoming beauty of spring and the cozy hues of the Mole sisters’ underground home.

Foreword Reviews

An endearing picture book ... The beautifully worded text and strong but delicate illustrations create a charm all their own ...

Booklist on “Eeny Up Above”

Follow a brave young mole as she ventures up above her underground home to explore despite her sisters' objections ... The illustrations are whimsical and depict a beautiful mole world above and below ground. This is a wonderful message for young children about bravery and trying new things. A great read for home or school.

Children’s Literature

2023-11-04
Hot chocolate wins over strong opposition.

Eeny, the youngest of three mole sisters who live in a hole deep underground, is the only one of her siblings who dares venture “Up Above.” Eeny loves the newness and surprises of the world outside. Her sisters distrust anything different and warn her about dangers, especially humans, but she remains undeterred. Her description of something new and unimaginable—hot chocolate—makes her siblings swoon with horror. When Eeny can’t rouse them, she resorts to drastic measures: She travels Up Above, pours hot chocolate into acorn cups given to her by a human she’s befriended known only as “the Boy,” and returns home. (Only the Boy’s light-skinned hand is seen.) The beverage’s delectable aroma awakens the sisters, who bravely taste it, albeit not from their familiar hole. (They do appreciate that it’s dark like their hole.) When Eeny explains where it’s from, the sisters faint again, though they love it and want more. Eeny performs a sneaky maneuver that proves hot chocolate—or anything new and different—can move anyone out of their comfort zone. This thin but cute story and the colorful, lively illustrations are as sweet and cozy as a chocolate drink. Kids will admire Eeny’s pluck and be glad her sisters learn to broaden their horizons somewhat, demonstrating the importance of accepting change and becoming more open-minded.

A reminder that happiness derives from adapting to what might once have seemed strange. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews