Customer Reviews

Mole Music

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank David McPhail's parents for having a child who grew to write this book. MOLE MUSIC will surely be a classic, loved by future generations of creative dreamers. Seldom does such a simple story resonate so deeply. It takes a great talent to wield so few words to mean so much.

When Mole sees a violinist on television he is so touched by the music he wants to make beautiful music of his very own, so he orders a violin for himself. When it arrives he can only cajole it to make horrid, screeching sounds. But Mole, the industrious, kind-hearted and hard worker that he is continues to practice (and practic and practice). After many years his music is even more lovely than the violinist he saw so long ago. Dear, dear Mole wishes he could change the world with his music--and Mr. McPhail shows the change that occured because of Mole's efforts strictly through the art. I won't give it away, but it is a great change indeed, and all the more touching because Mole played his music not for fame, but for the love of the music itself and a desire to share beauty with the world.

The words and art blend seamlessly together, one never overshadowing the other. This book is as a bright star in the world of Children's literature. I can only imagine that Mr. McPhail himself is like Mole--for who else could write a book like this? It's a visual song from the heart that could possibly change the world by inspiring young children to create some lovliness of their own. Thank you David McPhail--and thanks to your parents too.

On the surface, Mole Music is about a mole who decides to teach himself to play the violin, and the effects that has on the "aboveground" world. It's a charming and funny story with cute illustrations.

But "Mole Music" carries a deeper message, a message that should bring hope to anyone who wonders if they are doing any good in the world: it suggests that doing something good and right, something creative, that you love, can change the world for the better in ways you are totally unaware of. Mole may have stopped an entire war through his music, as well as soothing the hearts of countless people.

Even though I am a childless adult, I decided to buy a copy of "Mole Music" after reading it in a store. I am going to keep it to look at for those times when I feel like all my efforts are in vain, when nothing I do makes any improvement in people or the world. I'll try to remember Mole and smile.

(By the way, I'm a college teacher).

In the past 2 months, we've bought about 100 children's books, increasing our selection for toddlers to over 250 and out of all of those, together with those I've read from other sources, I would rate this as one of the best, especially for our 28-month-old son who has a special love for music and dance (yes, I think all-around, it's even better than Gustav Mole). The values in this book (including hard work, practice, humility and peace) are outstanding without being heavy-handed or even obvious, making it a great book for all young children. The story and illustrations are sweet and charming.

This book is a simply wonderful book to share with chilren. It is beautifully written and illustrated, and has a great message to share as well. I am an elementary music teacher, and read it to my classes every year. It has become a mainstay in the few short years I've owned it, and my students love it as much as I do.

This is one of the most delightful books about music (and life) for children that we have ever enjoyed. Mole unwittingly changes the world with his gift of music...and McPhail's gift of secret tongue-in-cheek illustrations provides reasons to re-read this book forever (did you find what happened to the TV?!).

The writing is lyrical, the story is inspirational and original, the pictures are magical. Our four-year old twins love this book. Of the many children's books we have collected this book rises to the short list of those we would classify as great.

After watching a violinist on TV, Mole decides to improve his life by learning to make his own music. He sends away for a violin and through perserverence he learns to make his violin sing. The TV he used to watch every night grows cobwebs as he polishes his skills. While he fiddles away, he imagines that his music would entertain and move people, while improving their lives. Unbeknownst to him, there IS a whole other story taking place above ground, where his music does indeed make the world a better place. I love this book! It's message of the power of one active person to change his/her world for the better is inspiring to children and adults alike. My 7 year old nephew got the message on the first reading, and finds new things to love about it each time he reads it....and he reads and rereads it every chance he gets!

I first heard this story as a part of a sermon given to a congregation of mixed ages. The children were enthralled with the illustrations (as were many adults) but the "message" was deeply felt by the "older" child in all of us there. It is the message that no one really knows how much influence they have. Mole was just doing something that really intrigued and interested him, and brought him pleasure. He wished that he could influence others, but never knew what his music did for the world. Maybe this is true for each of us as we pursue what we really have a passion for. The message is true for children and adults alike. I will share this with my young 8 year old violinist friend, and from the pulpit. Thank you, David McPhail!

I'm 43 and checked this book out of the library to read to my kids. I was so moved by it that I plan to buy several copies as gifts for both adults and kids. I'd like to have the artwork on the walls of my music studio to remind me . . .it's all about the energy we put out into the world. A timeless and most important lesson! Thank you David McPhail!

Gentle book, tells shy kids that they can influence the world in a positive way just by being themselves. Also helps kids losing the energy on a chosen instrument.