Dream big, little mole by Tom Percival. Illus. by Christine Pym

The little mole looks out from her home and surveys the surrounding countryside. She watches the birds in the sky, the ducks in the water, the grasshopper leaping, the squirrel climbing. She wishes she could do those things too, but an owl looking down tells her that she must be herself and dream big. So she tries out many things: playing the piano, writing and cooking, all with out much success. But she remembers that the owl said to be herself, and as her skills are to dig, she does just that.

This charming tale is about being yourself, about concentrating on your good points, and not worrying about things you cannot do. Percival, the author of Ruby's worry, has garnered much attention with his focus on metal health, encouraging children through a well told story of being themselves, of being happy with who they are, of self belief, of kindness both to yourself and others.

The little mole decides to dig the biggest hole ever. In digging furiously she makes a few mistakes; she burrows into a fox's den, and digs in the hedgehog's garden, while above ground, things go awry for Rabbit as his kite flies away into the trees. But in digging into the pond, Mole cleverly solves a few problems and helps those whose environment she upset.

She has used her abilities to their best advantage, had belief in herself, and dreamt big.

Told in rhyming stanzas, the lines call out for children to predict the last word of each line, to learn some of the lines to repeat when the story is read again, and to wonder at the positive abilities shown by Mole.

Brimming with a deep sense of affirmation, the story will be read and reread, as children in the younger grades learn that they are special, their attributes are unique to themselves. The story will add bounce to their early steps, and along with the charming illustrations full of detail about the English countryside, will be a story sought after for a read out loud.

Themes: Self worth, Confidence, Mental health, Kindness.

Fran Knight