A Friend For Mole - Perfect Picture Book Friday #PPBF
Sometimes the most amazing things happen when when you resist fear and take a chance to listen and to help someone else.
A Friend For Mole
Author/Illustrator: Nancy Armo
Publisher: Peachtree Publishers (2016)
Ages: 4-6
Fiction
Themes:
Friendship, conquering fear of the dark and of being lost, and diversity.
Synopsis (from Amazon):
A Friend for Mole features an adorable Mole and his experience after he decides to leave his dark and cozy burrow. Struggling with his overwhelming fear of the unknown, Mole stumbles across a friendly Wolf who is trying to conquer fears of his own. As they keep each other company and learn from one another, the two discover that friendship can be one of the strongest shields against fear. Through Mole and Wolf's experiences, young readers learn that differences aren't necessarily weaknesses, and strengths are most powerful when used to help a friend. With simple but humorous text, and soft, bright illustrations to guide the way, this picture book is a gentle, fun journey through fear to friendship.
Opening Lines:
"Mole was quite fond of his cozy burrow.
He liked his soft bed of leaves,
the warm smell of the earth,
and the quiet darkness all around."
Why I liked this book:
Though they are different - mole is afraid of daylight and wolf afraid of nighttime - these two unlikely animals make friends and ultimately work together to find their way home. Their ability to find common ground in their differences and figure out how to help each other makes for a wonderful story, for all ages.
Nancy also shows how friends stick together when things get scary. The fun games that Mole and Wolf invent, imaginary hunts, pretend stomping, and scary imaginary beasts will appeal to children and likely spur other ideas for "conquering" night time fears.
The illustrations are tender and sweet and the story begs to be read again and again.
Resources:
- The Activity Sheets by Nancy Armo include coloring sheet, wolf mask, finger puppets, maze, & word search.
- Try making friends with someone different from you.
- Follow Mole and Wolf's lead and draw a monster you would like to chase.
- Here are some other activities to help a child deal with fear of the dark.
- Some other strategies for overcoming nighttime fears.
This post is part of a series by authors and KidLit bloggers called Perfect Picture Book Fridays. For more picture book suggestions see Susanna Leonard Hill's Perfect Picture Books.
