"This gentle, comforting tale empowers kids to discover light in darkness on their own or with assistance from a warm, guiding hand. In support of this, a discussion guide for caregivers at the end provides simple facts about moles plus discussion questions and useful, empathetic tips to help a sad child find hope... Sweet and reassuring for little molesand humans too." Kirkus Reviews
"VERDICT With social-emotional curricula at the forefront of education right now, this charming story will find a place in many libraries." School Library Journal
"Emily Dickinson wrote that "hope is the thing with feathers." It may also be daffodils, leaves, and butterflies, or the stories shared by a loving mama. A delightful book." Rev. Dr. David A. Bard, Bishop of the Michigan United Methodist Church
"In Little Mole Finds Hope, Glenys Nellist brings us on a journey to hope through the eyes of a delightful little mole. Teaching abstract concepts like hope to young children can be a challenge, and this book has overcome it. I will tuck this one on our family's bookshelf and bring it out when we need a little reminder of what it means to look for the light when the world around seems too dark." Traci Smith, author of Faithful Families: Creating Sacred Moments at Home and Prayers for Faithful Families: Everyday Prayers for Everyday Life
"The perfect resource for teachers to add to units on feelings, seasons, and life cycles. An uplifting story we all need!" Joanna Rowland, author of The Memory Box and Stay Through the Storm
"A wonderful story about discovering beauty and light amid sad feelings and dark places, this book is a gift to both children and parents. With adorably vivid illustrations and tangible descriptions of hope that kids will understand, Little Mole Finds Hope will bring love, light, and curious conversations to every family's bedtime reading." Matthew Paul Turner, author of When I Pray for You, When God Made Light, and When God Made You
"This beautiful book will delight and encourage the youngest readers and help them grasp the good news of hope. But it will also touch the hearts, minds, and souls of those of us grown-ups who need reminders that life springs forth from even the muddiest bulbs and barest branches and that light shines bright at the end of even the darkest tunnels." Caryn Rivadeneira, author of the Helper Hounds series, Grit and Grace, and Grumble Hallelujah
"Little Mole Finds Hope is a wonderful and sensitive way to introduce children to the hope that always accompanies sadness." Bishop Laurie Haller, Iowa Annual Conference, United Methodist Church
"With a gentle refrain and illustrations that perfectly fit the tone, Little Mole Finds Hope is a book that children will ask for again and again, and parents will gladly oblige. A beautiful story about sadness and hope." The Rev. Dr. Kathleen Long Bostrom, award-winning children's book author
"Simple, lyrical, and profoundly wise, Little Mole Finds Hope deserves to become a classic in children's literature. I adore this beautiful book and its message of where hope can be found, even in the most unhappy times." Jennifer Grant, author of Maybe God Is Like That Too and Maybe I Can Love My Neighbor Too
02/07/2020
PreS-Gr 1—Little Mole doesn't "feel good inside," and his dark burrow is a perfect metaphor for his sadness. His perceptive mother knows the remedy is not a cookie or a playmate; it's hope. She takes him for a walk through the wintry landscape to find hope "hiding in the darkness." A bulb, bulging from the roof of their tunnel; the bare tree branches; and a chrysalis secured to the inside of a flowerpot are all symbols of the dark place where Little Mole finds himself. But they will all, some day soon, come back to life. Daffodils, tree blossoms, and butterflies will all be dancing in the wind. Little Mole will be dancing, too. The gentle reminder that all things change is diluted a little by the winter/spring association—will Little Mole have to wait until spring to be happy again? Garland's sweet moles are engagingly drawn and easily relatable. VERDICT With social-emotional curricula at the forefront of education right now, this charming story will find a place in many libraries.—Lisa Lehmuller, Paul Cuffee Maritime Charter School, Providence
2019-11-24
Hope can be found—if you know how and where to look.
In their dark underground burrow Little Mole tells Mama he's sad. After she suggests he needs to look for hope, they begin a paw-in-paw exploration. Mama explains hope sometimes hides but waits to be found. As proof, she points to a seemingly lifeless bulb hanging at the burrow's exit. Mama says the bulb's not dead but will, upon feeling the sun's rays, soon blossom into a daffodil. When Little Mole envisions this, Mama declares, "That is hope." As the journey continues, Mama shows her little one other nascent signs of good things to come—bare trees and a chrysalis. Little Mole sees only dead objects. Still, Mama reminds him that each will soon emerge into glorious life, encouraging him to imagine the lovely transformations. Home again, Little Mole announces he understands. This gentle, comforting tale empowers kids to discover light in darkness on their own or with assistance from a warm, guiding hand. In support of this, a discussion guide for caregivers at the end provides simple facts about moles plus discussion questions and useful, empathetic tips to help a sad child find hope. The grainy illustrations add texture to the expressive moles, their cozy burrow, and their natural surroundings. The moles are as fuzzily warm as their relationship.
Sweet and reassuring for little moles—and humans too. (Picture book. 3-6)