Morris the mole by Nikki Greenberg
Allen and Unwin, 2018. ISBN 9781760630829
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Moles, Animals, Tunnelling,
Adventure. Morris the mole simply loves to tunnel. And readers
following his exploits will laugh with him as he finds the most
unexpected of things in the tunnels he digs. Told in rhyming
couplets, children will have a whole heap of fun predicting the word
that rhymes to complete the line, probably learning some of the ones
they like, and certainly learning to recognise alliteration as they
read.
Morris extols the virtues of being underground as he sashays with
his shovel, finds rich treasures, collects worms for desert and
eventually digging a hole to get out into the fresh air, but in
doing so, wrecks the mouse's birthday party by coming out exactly
where the cake has been set upon the ground. The next time he pops
up he wrecks the rabbits' garden, and then finally he finds
something he cannot dig through. But will our hero give up? Never,
and he digs through the bottom concrete layer of something quite
unexpected. And just like Mr Toad from The Wind in the Willows
finds another avenue for his adventurous spirit.
Readers will have gales of fun with Morris, watching his antics,
digging with him as he comes up in the most surprising of places,
causing all sorts of mayhem. And perhaps finding out more about
moles in the classroom.
A book with lots of fun, and lively illustrations to complement the
tale.
Fran Knight