From Publishers Weekly
"Hot diggety!" exclaims plump Mole when he sees the full moon for what is apparently the first time. And indeed, the moon is at its most fetching, glowing in the cobalt-blue night sky "like a bright silver coin." Mole spends the balance of the book engaged in sweetly comic attempts to pry the moon out of the sky. His woodland pals try to warn him off the plan, each one pointing out, "It's not as close as it looks." But that doesn't stop Mole from trying to leap for it, poke it, knock it down with acorns or simply grab it from a high tree branch. Finally, it dawns on him: the moon's beauty lies in the fact that everyone can enjoy it (and besides, Mole now notes sagely, "It's NOT as close as it looks!"). Author and artist seem ideally paired for this well-traveled but sweet tale. In Emmett's unadorned, gentle prose, Mole never seems the least bit avaricious he's just genuinely enchanted by the moon's ethereal beauty. As was true in her Down in the Woods at Sleepytime, Cabban's creatures radiate genuine affection for one another. Keeping the detailing in her settings to a minimum there's just enough to provide a proper stage for Mole's pratfalls Cabban lets the luminescence of the sky and moon hold center stage. It's easy to see why Mole is so thoroughly captivated. Ages 3-6.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
reS-K-Mole is mesmerized by the beauty of the full moon and tries to bring it down from the sky, but jumping up and down, swishing a stick, and throwing acorns fail to knock it from its place. Rabbit, Hedgehog, and Squirrel all shake their heads and tell Mole to give up: "It's not as close as it looks." But the little creature persists, climbing a tree to get closer. He falls from its limb into a puddle, where he sees the moon's reflection floating. But when he touches it, the moon breaks into pieces and disappears. Devastated, he thinks he has destroyed it forever. His friends point out that it is still up in the sky and Mole is joyous, finally ready to leave it in its place. Dark blue skies and a glowing moon exude peace and serenity in this sweet book. Preschoolers will sympathize with Mole's attempts and sigh with contentment when they realize he has not ruined the treasure. The onomatopoeia scattered throughout makes this an appealing read-aloud. A pleasant, quiet offering.
Anne Knickerbocker, Cedar Brook Elementary School, Houston, TX
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
