Mordant's Wish [Hardcover]

Valerie Coursen (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 1997 | Age Level: 4 and up

One day Mordant the mole looks up at the sky and sees a cloud shaped like a turtle . . .When Mordant the mole wishes for a friend, he sets off a chain of events that gracefully lead the reader to the happiest of endings.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A glimpse at the off-kilter fantasy world of Mordant the mole occasions "a beguiling union of text and art," said PW. Ages 4-7.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2. Mordant the Mole looks at a turtle-shaped cloud and makes a wish that the turtle were real so that he could be his friend. In a chain of awkwardly connected events, the wish comes true. Wispy, gouache illustrations follow the actions of Calum, a bicycle rider; Velma, a snow-cone seller; Peanut, a bird; Mr. Ricardo, a barber; Blanche, a beetle; Petunia May, a girl, and her friends; and, finally, a real turtle who makes his way to Mordant's house on the hill. The choppy text occasionally rhymes, but never flows. The author attempts to create a flight of fancy; unfortunately, it never gets off the ground.?Carolyn Jenks, First Parish Unitarian Church, Portland, ME
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); First Edition edition (September 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805043748
• ISBN-13: 978-0805043747
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,428,539 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful, eventful story!, May 16, 2000

By 

Heidi Cole (East Lansing, Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mordant's Wish (Hardcover)

Mordant's Wish is a wonderful story about a mole who wishes for a friend. What follows Mordant's wish is an interesting chain of events, that will suprise and delight. What I liked best about this book is that Valerie Coursen did a superb job of following the rule "show 'em, don't tell 'em." Beyond the beautiful illustrations, and beyond the interesting chain of events, there is a message of greater proportions: that we are all connected in some way and that the universe, one way or another, answers our wishes. To the children reading this book, they'll see that sometimes we can get what we wish for, when we're patient! A light-hearted story, Mordant's Wish is one that all children can relate to and enjoy.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mordant's Wish is a fun story with breathtaking pictures., August 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Mordant's Wish (Hardcover)

Mordant is a mole who blows on a dandelion puff and his wish comes true. He wishes that the turtle-like cloud in the sky would become real and befriend him. This all starts a very amusing chain of events begining with the bicycle rider who stops to buy a snow cone, and ending with the turtle climbing up the hill to greet Mordant. What happens inbetween I will leave to your surprise, but I promise you that it will be entertaining!!