COME BACK OUT, MOLE!

What will it take to get a frightened mole to leave his burrow?

Mole wasn’t always afraid, but when he’s out for a stroll one day, a thunderstorm sends him underground for good. His concerned friends attempt to cajole him out. Squirrel asks if he wants to help her gather nuts, but Mole refuses: “A tree is sure to fall on me and break my paw!” Following Bear’s invitation to swim, Mole envisions an aggressive shark approaching. After each entreaty, the protagonist conveys his intentions to remain safe. Young listeners will soon be chanting along with his response: “I said no! There are too many dangerous things out there. I’m better off staying safe and sound in my burrow.” Ultimately, the friends concoct a scheme. They call for help, describing an attack from “STINKY-FOOTED ALIENS” and “UNIDENTIFIED FLYING BUTTS.” When the cautious Mole crawls out to help, he’s greeted with a birthday party in his honor as he realizes that too much worrying leads to missing out on fun. Children will enjoy the characters’ silly postures, the outlandish scenarios, and the potty humor. The bright palette plays out in a variety of layouts, each used effectively: sequential panels to show the time it takes for Mole to reach home, a cross-section to depict the burrow’s elaborate plumbing, a full-bleed double spread to convey the joyful celebration. The dynamic design tempers the repetitive structure of the narrative, translated from Spanish.

A lighthearted look at common fears and the rewards of bravery.