Bravemole

Rating:
Summary: in Extra-ordinary times, no one is ordinary
Review: I lost someone that day. It's not something I can easily discuss, et when I "accidentally" picked up this book for my construction loving son, I didn't know what I was in for, but I am so thankful to have read this book with my children, ages 6 and 8. My 8 year old recognized the storyline though my 6 year old didn't quite pick up on the parallels. It is genlty told, with MUCH room for discussion and interpretation. I wish I knew a construction worker to give it too!

Rating:
Summary: in Extra-ordinary times, no one is ordinary
Review: In this touching story illustrated with brilliant washed crayon pictures the tragedy of September 11 is revisited as seen by a small animal, a mole, a very ordinary mole at that.

Mole begins the bedtime story he tells babymole with "Once upon a time, there was a wicked dragon....," never imagining that he might see a dragon himself. After all, he is a very ordinary mole who sometimes wishes he could be more like Smartmoles who had exciting jobs or Bigmoles who knew a lot and were full of advice. Whenever he wished for this Mole reminded himself of how fortunate he was even though he was so ordinary - he had a wife who loved him and a babymole who thought he was wonderful.

Then on an extraordinarily beautiful day as Mole was on his way to his ordinary job he saw a shocking thing - a dragon, "worse than any picture he had seen." Then thousands of moles came running from the tall place where they worked; they were frightened, and Mole was, too. Suddenly they were all Moles Afraid running from the cruel dragon that began crashing into another tall molehill.

Then, just as suddenly, Mole turned and went back to the destruction. He did not know what he could do but he began digging. He dug all day and all night along with other ordinary moles. He dug until he was exhausted and his heart felt torn in two.

When Mole reached home at last he realized how very many ordinary moles there were in the world, and knew they were strong, brave, and steady. They would do whatever needed to be done to make the world safe for their baby moles.

This is a poignant carefully worded story that may well help young ones face their fears and conquer them.

- Gail Cooke

Rating:
Summary: A POIGNANT STORY BRILLIANTLY ILLUSTRATED
Review: In this touching story illustrated with brilliant washed crayon pictures the tragedy of September 11 is revisited as seen by a small animal, a mole, a very ordinary mole at that.

Mole begins the bedtime story he tells babymole with "Once upon a time, there was a wicked dragon....," never imagining that he might see a dragon himself. After all, he is a very ordinary mole who sometimes wishes he could be more like Smartmoles who had exciting jobs or Bigmoles who knew a lot and were full of advice. Whenever he wished for this Mole reminded himself of how fortunate he was even though he was so ordinary - he had a wife who loved him and a babymole who thought he was wonderful.

Then on an extraordinarily beautiful day as Mole was on his way to his ordinary job he saw a shocking thing - a dragon, "worse than any picture he had seen." Then thousands of moles came running from the tall place where they worked; they were frightened, and Mole was, too. Suddenly they were all Moles Afraid running from the cruel dragon that began crashing into another tall molehill.

Then, just as suddenly, Mole turned and went back to the destruction. He did not know what he could do but he began digging. He dug all day and all night along with other ordinary moles. He dug until he was exhausted and his heart felt torn in two.

When Mole reached home at last he realized how very many ordinary moles there were in the world, and knew they were strong, brave, and steady. They would do whatever needed to be done to make the world safe for their baby moles.

This is a poignant carefully worded story that may well help young ones face their fears and conquer them.

- Gail Cooke

Rating:
Summary: Bravemole
Review: My second grade son was read this book in school to commemorate the attacks on the WTC. *For children under 10yrs, Bravemole is too graphic and should be avoided.*

Although this book tries to appeal to younger children with its very charming pictures the content is disturbing. The events of Sept. 11th are portrayed by cute and cuddly characters, but the real message that comes forward is that all good "bravemoles" should put their faith in "Overmole" and march off to war.

For older children that can scrutinize these issues Bravemole is a great way to ease into a difficult topic. This book should be targeted to older children who can discuss and comprehend the issues.