Customer Reviews

The Mole Family's Christmas

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This superb Christmas picture book deserves a rediscovery! In understatedly witty text, it tells the story of Delver mole, a young mole who lives underground and knows nothing of Christmas. One day he hears about it from a mouse, and wonders if this "fat man in a red suit" will bring him his dearest wish - a telescope so that he can see the stars. (Being very nearsighted as most moles are, he has never seen them.) Risking the peril of facing the local owl, Delver and his family build an above-ground chimney and leave a letter for Santa. They then fall asleep waiting on Christmas eve in the open, and are about to be snatched up by the owl when, in a curious and believable way, the owl finds some Christmas spirit and is duly rewarded by Santa, who also brings the telescope for Delever. The illustrations are memorable and the story is a complete charmer. Highly recommened for kids preschool through grade 2.

i was given this book as a child and absolutely LOVED IT!!! about 20 years ago, i tracked it down again (my childhood copy was long gone) thru a bookseller in morgantown, wv. it was tough, but we found it! now everyone has it so much easier! just click and there it is. every kid should a copy of this book!!

Good value for the price. The cover is faded and worn, as warned in the advertisement, but the inside is like new. Sad to think such a wonderful children's book is out of print.

I never thought it could happen!!!

I first read this story in the December 1969 issue of Family Circle magazine.

With a 3 1/2 year old 'lil guy running all around, never still, and a 1 year old 'lil gal, it came along at the right time to read to my active son during his sister's nap time.

Ever since that December so long ago, I have read it every year to my art classes without showing the pictures so that they may illustrate it. The Mole Family and old Ephraim Owl make wonderful subjects to paint with watercolor. I don't show them the pictures until after they have completed their own.

My copy of the magazine is so very worn, the 41 year old pages have severely yellowed, and Scotch tape has repaired some of the torn spots.

My 16 private art students are exhibiting in the glass showcase at our local library for the month of December. The magazine was too shabby to put in the case with the beautiful matted watercolor illustrations, so I decided to go online to find if a copy of the book existed after so many years.

There it was---I could not believe my good fortune!!! The only difference was the person who illustrated it. In the magazine version it was illustrated by Victoria Chess. When the book arrived, it was still written by Russell Hoban, but illustrated by Lillian Hoban, whose books I've enjoyed for years while teaching art to kindergarten through 12th grade.

The book is proudly displayed for the month of December in the library showcase with the paintings!

My two grandchildren have enjoyed the story this year, and both have paintings on exhibit with the rest of the students.

Now that I have the hardcover book, it will be passed on for possibly another 41 years!

Thanks you so very much for having the book available---I wish you could see all the watercolors---they are bright, cheerful, and the characters have come alive!

Becki W. Herrick
Bebe's ArtWorks

This is a wonderful story for elementary school kids. It is in-between picture book and "chapter book" length-- not a quick read. The story is very heartwarming, and the illustrations are beautiful and endearing.

One of my very favorite Christmas stories! It is worth buying a used copy if that is all you can find (you can find really nice hardback or paperback versions).

This picture book is my favorite "animal" Christmas book. The drawings and narrative are both charming and the story is not sacharine, but,in the best sense, heart-warming.