Bravemole [Hardcover]

Lynne Jonell (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 5, 2002 | Age Level: 5 and up

Mole was an ordinary mole. His burrow wasn't anything special, and his job was the usual for a mole: digging, tunneling, moving a little earth from here to there. But he had a loving molewife and a little babymole at home and he was very happy.

Then one day the unthinkable happened. Dragons attacked the tallest molehills in the forest. Hundreds of moles ran in terror as the molehills collapsed. Mole ran, too, but then he stopped. He looked at his paws and down at his feet, with claws meant for digging. There was a job that needed to be done, and he could help.

Inspired by the events of September 11, 2001, Bravemole is a moving story of courage. Perfect for prompting conversations about the tragedy or remembering the brave efforts of all who came forward to help, the tale celebrates the extraordinary capacity of the most humble to make a difference.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Jonell (Mommy, Go Away!) here reenacts the events of September 11 through the eyes of an animal who perhaps can help young readers to shoulder their fears. Mole wears a hard-hat, carries a lunch pail and lives in a burrow with his molewife and babymole. Softly shaded pastels portray their warm haven filled with comfy chairs and braided rugs. When Mole tells Babymole a bedtime story about dragons, Babymole asks, "Will a dragon come to get me, Daddy?" "No, Son." Mole says. "Dragons are far away from my little babymole." But the very next day, two terrifying dragons destroy the tallest molehills in the city. From a sheltered spot amidst the wreckage, Mole feels called to return and help others. Jonell plants a spiritual undercurrent with references to Mole's prayers to an Overmole. She draws a contrast between Mole (as an "ordinary mole") and the "Bigmoles" and "Smartmoles" that emphasizes the importance of everyday heroes, yet youngsters may not understand the social distinction or the idea of working-class firefighters, police officers and others rescuing elite stockbrokers. The stronger theme underscores the tenuous reassurance between father and son: upon Mole's return home that night, Babymole asks, "Will I get to go fight the dragons, Daddy?" "No," replies Mole. "We grown-ups will fight them for you." Images of the moles fleeing the fire and the dragons' attack may make this best suited for reading with an adult, as well as for children who already know about the events of that day. Ages 5-up.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-Jonell's modern-day fable features a community of moles whose molehills, "had been built so tall, they were called the Mountains," are attacked by two cruel dragons. The story follows an ordinary fellow who once dreamed of being exceptional. When the dragons strike, he and his peers become "Moles Afraid," but he conquers his fear and helps in the rescue and recovery efforts. The last page shows the hero standing tall with his fellow moles: "There was a city of them. A country of them. A whole world of them. Bravemoles." Although the concept may be a noble one, the book doesn't quite find its audience. The illustrations, rendered in water-soluble crayons, will appeal to young audiences, but the picture of the two dragons may be too frightening for them. The text is too lengthy for preschoolers or even kindergartners, while elementary-aged children may find the art puerile. The author works hard to transpose the events of September 11 into an explicable universe for children, but the book does not ultimately provide the kind of comfort that youngsters need-perhaps, given the subject, an unachievable goal.
Shelley B. Sutherland, Niles Public Library District, IL
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (August 5, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399239626
• ISBN-13: 978-0399239625
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,365,255 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A POIGNANT STORY BRILLIANTLY ILLUSTRATED, August 23, 2002

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Bravemole (Hardcover)

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

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars in Extra-ordinary times, no one is ordinary, October 18, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Bravemole (Hardcover)

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!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Brave mole, February 21, 2007

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Bravemole (Hardcover)

Bravemole
The book Bravemole is a wonderful story. It shows why you need to be brave to protect the ones you love. This book is great for younger readers.

This book is very exciting. Dragons where attacking the mountians and cities. This book has a great moral. The moral is you should never give up even if you are a normal person. This book is a happy book. It is a happy book because a normal mole becomes a hero and everyone likes him.

This book is a wonderful story. It is also ecxiting because dragons attack the city. No body is baddly hurt. It has a goo moral too. The moral is you should never give up even if you are a normal person. I highly suggest this book to anyone.