Bravemole

Publishers Weekly

Jonell (Mommy, Go Away!) here reenacts the events of September 11 through the eyes of an animal who perhaps can help young readers to shoulder their fears. Mole wears a hard-hat, carries a lunch pail and lives in a burrow with his molewife and babymole. Softly shaded pastels portray their warm haven filled with comfy chairs and braided rugs. When Mole tells Babymole a bedtime story about dragons, Babymole asks, "Will a dragon come to get me, Daddy?" "No, Son." Mole says. "Dragons are far away from my little babymole." But the very next day, two terrifying dragons destroy the tallest molehills in the city. From a sheltered spot amidst the wreckage, Mole feels called to return and help others. Jonell plants a spiritual undercurrent with references to Mole's prayers to an Overmole. She draws a contrast between Mole (as an "ordinary mole") and the "Bigmoles" and "Smartmoles" that emphasizes the importance of everyday heroes, yet youngsters may not understand the social distinction or the idea of working-class firefighters, police officers and others rescuing elite stockbrokers. The stronger theme underscores the tenuous reassurance between father and son: upon Mole's return home that night, Babymole asks, "Will I get to go fight the dragons, Daddy?" "No," replies Mole. "We grown-ups will fight them for you." Images of the moles fleeing the fire and the dragons' attack may make this best suited for reading with an adult, as well as for children who already know about the events of that day. Ages 5-up. (Aug.)

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3-Jonell's modern-day fable features a community of moles whose molehills, "had been built so tall, they were called the Mountains," are attacked by two cruel dragons. The story follows an ordinary fellow who once dreamed of being exceptional. When the dragons strike, he and his peers become "Moles Afraid," but he conquers his fear and helps in the rescue and recovery efforts. The last page shows the hero standing tall with his fellow moles: "There was a city of them. A country of them. A whole world of them. Bravemoles." Although the concept may be a noble one, the book doesn't quite find its audience. The illustrations, rendered in water-soluble crayons, will appeal to young audiences, but the picture of the two dragons may be too frightening for them. The text is too lengthy for preschoolers or even kindergartners, while elementary-aged children may find the art puerile. The author works hard to transpose the events of September 11 into an explicable universe for children, but the book does not ultimately provide the kind of comfort that youngsters need-perhaps, given the subject, an unachievable goal.-Shelley B. Sutherland, Niles Public Library District, IL Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

He was an ordinary mole-digging, tunneling, moving dirt-who loved his family, and was strong, brave, and steady. At times Mole was envious of the Smartmoles, Bigmoles, and Starmoles and he wished he weren't so ordinary. At bedtime when Babymole wants to have a dragon story read to him, he asks if dragons are real. Mole answers yes, his great-grandmoles had fought them. The next day, when dragons attack the Mountains where Mole works, all moles became Moles Afraid. As the Mountains crumble, Mole knows he has a job to do and he digs and digs, rescuing moles. The other moles dub him "Bravemole." Now they become Moles All Together, determined to fight dragons to protect all babymoles and to build a world without dragons. Water-soluble crayon illustrations suitably characterize Mole in a red vest and blue helmet with intense blue dominating background scenes. Extremely text-heavy, this will have to be read in a one-to-one sitting and adults should first read it for themselves. Back flap copy contains a message from the author explaining that she wrote the story for children affected by September 11 who need a story to feel safe. On the front flap: "A modern-day fable inspired by the tragedy that honors the extraordinary capacity of ordinary people to make a difference in the world." Purposeful and honorable. (Picture book. 5-8)