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Mole Had Everything
A lush and sweetly wise tale about The Tyranny of Too Much Stuff, and what it doesn't leave room for. For those "more, more, more!" kids (and their parents) this story provides a gentle revelation that having more doesn't necessarily give you what you need. Beautiful illustrations on special paper and a lavish gatefold add extra gift-y touches.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published April 24, 2012
About the author
Jamison Odone
24 books16 followersI am an author of children's books and graphic novels. What a funny thing to say--I still feel like a kid just scraping around this planet trying to figure everything out. Perhaps that feeling is what keeps me curious enough to write, to draw, to hopefully entertain.
For me, creation is a daily struggle. It has never come easy but I will never stop trying. So long as there is oil in my lamp and ink in my pen--you'll find me in a poorly lit room, hacking away the hours, deep into the night.
my link text
For me, creation is a daily struggle. It has never come easy but I will never stop trying. So long as there is oil in my lamp and ink in my pen--you'll find me in a poorly lit room, hacking away the hours, deep into the night.
my link text
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 1, 2012
The only thing I didn’t like was spooking the birds, which appeared more than once.
This is a charming book. I came to it grudgingly because I could tell it would be a message book, (probably Zen-like in which case I thought I’d rather be reading a Jon Muth picture book.
I was won over immediately when I read the book’s dedication, to the author-illustrator’s son: “for oliver – always question everything. love papa.”
Mole is adorable and the illustrations, including one large fold out one, are wonderful.
The entire story and its pictures are entertaining and succeed in making less seem preferable to more. Even though I knew what was coming I did love the last page. Yes, the ending was obvious, although to young children the first time they might not anticipate the specifics. One thing that surprised and delighted me was how humor was such a large part of the story. I really appreciated that.
This is a lovely message book and would make an appropriate gift for people of all ages. (But not for me because I love my books, hoarding though it might be. Ha!) This is one picture book that might be appreciated even more by adults than by children, but it’s definitely for children too; it’s not one of those adults only picture books.
4 ½ stars
This is a charming book. I came to it grudgingly because I could tell it would be a message book, (probably Zen-like in which case I thought I’d rather be reading a Jon Muth picture book.
I was won over immediately when I read the book’s dedication, to the author-illustrator’s son: “for oliver – always question everything. love papa.”
Mole is adorable and the illustrations, including one large fold out one, are wonderful.
The entire story and its pictures are entertaining and succeed in making less seem preferable to more. Even though I knew what was coming I did love the last page. Yes, the ending was obvious, although to young children the first time they might not anticipate the specifics. One thing that surprised and delighted me was how humor was such a large part of the story. I really appreciated that.
This is a lovely message book and would make an appropriate gift for people of all ages. (But not for me because I love my books, hoarding though it might be. Ha!) This is one picture book that might be appreciated even more by adults than by children, but it’s definitely for children too; it’s not one of those adults only picture books.
4 ½ stars
May 3, 2012
Mole has everything he needs--until a possession-hoarding friend convinces him that he needs, well, everything. Like so many of us, Mole is then caught up in the chase to amass things--whether useful or not. He discovers that his ever-more crowded dwelling feels more than a little empty of meaning.
This book is a reminder to both children and adults that we all must take a step back and think about what we want, and why. It's a message I myself could use, as I do find myself feeling jealous of others' possessions and craving "better" things.
This book is an absolute delight. I quite appreciated the 1970s-style artwork, as well.
This book is a reminder to both children and adults that we all must take a step back and think about what we want, and why. It's a message I myself could use, as I do find myself feeling jealous of others' possessions and craving "better" things.
This book is an absolute delight. I quite appreciated the 1970s-style artwork, as well.
May 14, 2012
I liked the message in this one.
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June 17, 2022An opportunity to teach your kids that having "everything" does not equate to being contented. We can choose to be content whether with much or little...the secret of being content in any and every situation. (Phil 4:12)
September 4, 2021
Cute book. I read it to teach about the importance of being content with what you have.
May 1, 2025
I picked this up because I love moles and thought this mole was cute! I enjoyed the story and I loved the illustrations. The fold-out page surprised me!
July 24, 2017
It's not always a good thing to have everything.
December 19, 2015
I received this book for free from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
This is the last of my first round of Blue Apple Books reviews. There will definitely be more, as I’ve been enjoying their books, but this is the last of what I’ve read so far. I’ll have to schedule myself a picture book reading day one weekend soon so I can post more.
Mole Had Everything is a Mole who isn’t happy with what he has when he realizes he doesn’t have enough teacups for company. He sets out looking for another teacup, and ends up with way more than he planned.
While Mole Had Everything is pretty cute, it’s also confusing. I’m pretty sure I understood what was going on, but I didn’t really get the point. If I find it confusing, I can only imagine that a child would. What I did like was the art. It’s defined and crisp. Art is such an important part of whether or not I like a picture book. It probably matters more to me than it does to children. Still, it’s something I like to consider in my reviews. The art for Mole Had Everything was appropriate and ended up being my favorite part of the book.
Since I wasn’t particularly impressed with this one, I’ll just suggest you try it for yourself. Perhaps, you’ll see something in it that I didn’t.
This is the last of my first round of Blue Apple Books reviews. There will definitely be more, as I’ve been enjoying their books, but this is the last of what I’ve read so far. I’ll have to schedule myself a picture book reading day one weekend soon so I can post more.
Mole Had Everything is a Mole who isn’t happy with what he has when he realizes he doesn’t have enough teacups for company. He sets out looking for another teacup, and ends up with way more than he planned.
While Mole Had Everything is pretty cute, it’s also confusing. I’m pretty sure I understood what was going on, but I didn’t really get the point. If I find it confusing, I can only imagine that a child would. What I did like was the art. It’s defined and crisp. Art is such an important part of whether or not I like a picture book. It probably matters more to me than it does to children. Still, it’s something I like to consider in my reviews. The art for Mole Had Everything was appropriate and ended up being my favorite part of the book.
Since I wasn’t particularly impressed with this one, I’ll just suggest you try it for yourself. Perhaps, you’ll see something in it that I didn’t.
September 7, 2012
File this under Books with a Message. Mole is perfectly happy with what he has until his friend Emerson points out that he has only a single teacup. Mole sets out to search for "everything," crawling here and there and collecting wonderful new things. When he returns home, he finds that he has to spend all his time "moving this, dusting that, winding, fixing, and arranging" instead of what he truly he enjoys. So Mole gives his things away and enjoys his new Zen-like existence.
I thought the message was a bit obvious and a bit overdone. The illustrations are charming, the message sweetly told, and the fold out page beautiful. I wish I liked the book and the message a bit better, but I recognize that many children (and adults) will benefit from Mole's story. Recommended for preschool through grade 1.
I thought the message was a bit obvious and a bit overdone. The illustrations are charming, the message sweetly told, and the fold out page beautiful. I wish I liked the book and the message a bit better, but I recognize that many children (and adults) will benefit from Mole's story. Recommended for preschool through grade 1.
September 24, 2012
Mole goes on a journey to acquire things. Once he succeeds, he finds that his life is uncomfortably full of things, most of which are not essential to healthy/happy living so he decides to have a yard sale and marks everything free. The sale rids his life and home of stuff and Mole regains the happiness of simplicity.
This book struck me as odd, though I suppose I would recommend it to the right reader. I think back on it as a hoarding story with a happy ending. The artwork was a little better than the story for me as I enjoyed looking through the piles of junk for familiar items. I also liked the color palette used in the illustrations, muted pastel tones mixed with muted earth tones.
This book struck me as odd, though I suppose I would recommend it to the right reader. I think back on it as a hoarding story with a happy ending. The artwork was a little better than the story for me as I enjoyed looking through the piles of junk for familiar items. I also liked the color palette used in the illustrations, muted pastel tones mixed with muted earth tones.
September 11, 2012
Age: K-2nd grade
A lovely contribution to children's literature for the topic it discusses: hoarding material objects. For some reason, though, it didn't garner my instant admiration. The storyline is great and well developed, but the writing style was a bit boring. Perhaps, also, the artwork doesn't make the excessive objects look gaudy enough. I believe the artwork is influenced by the 1970s and uses duller hues with lots of contrasting colors.
Librarians beware: There is a lift-a-flap that spans two pages, crossing the spine.
A lovely contribution to children's literature for the topic it discusses: hoarding material objects. For some reason, though, it didn't garner my instant admiration. The storyline is great and well developed, but the writing style was a bit boring. Perhaps, also, the artwork doesn't make the excessive objects look gaudy enough. I believe the artwork is influenced by the 1970s and uses duller hues with lots of contrasting colors.
Librarians beware: There is a lift-a-flap that spans two pages, crossing the spine.
July 30, 2013
This is a really cute story with a message that unfortunately, seemed to go over the heads of kids at storytime. In the story, Mole learns that his simple possessions might not be enough so he goes off in search of "everything." Once he has everything (this is taken somewhat literally) he discovers that it isn't worth it. Too much junk everywhere taking up all his time. So he gets rid of mostly everything and keeps the things he needs...the kids thought some of the things he brought back from his quest were funny, but the message clearly did not get across. Ah well...
December 30, 2016
Mole has a friend over to his humble home and only has one teacup. Convinced he needs to amass more possessions he does just that and ultimately realizes he is not happy with everything and goes back to his humble situation, but now has 2 teacups. You could teach various messages from this, but I do like the idea of stuff not making us happy.
December 22, 2014
Looking for an antidote to the season's excesses? This book is a simply told and beautifully illustrated tale of less is more when it comes to consumer goods. Should really be compulsory Christmas reading!
June 3, 2012
Appreciate what you've got... beautiful book.
July 30, 2012
Really, every adult should read this one! Kids, too but adults should probably take this idea of stuff being more work than it's worth, to heart. A nice, warm and cozy book about the simple life.
October 15, 2012
This book has a great message about being content with what you have and how having too much stuff can actually add stress rather than enjoyment to life. :)
October 25, 2012
A sweet little story about living simply sends a thoughtful message/reminder about enjoying what we already have, and not letting our things take over our lives.
October 27, 2012
From the moment you understand what the book is about, you know what the "message" will be. But it was still fun to read and look at the pictures. And I loved Mole. Just the perfect character. :)
April 2, 2013
3.5 stars. Nice story about what is important. Love the ending with two teacups. Perfect story for a tea party.
May 29, 2013
Love it! Exactly how I feel and so I try to keep my stuff to a minimum. Still have too much and it takes up too much time and energy. Such is the struggle of modern life with too much abundance!
June 6, 2013
And the moral of the story is ..... this is one of those lesson books to read when you are trying to teach your children to be happy with what they have.
January 9, 2014
Too much stuff takes too much time and takes away from living life. Great message!
October 12, 2015
LOVE this book!!!!!
February 23, 2016
Sweet new picture book with the messages of simplicity and clean lines within a home. Must be some feng shui in there somewhere too!
June 23, 2016
I kind of love it. It's a KonMari picture book basically!
December 9, 2016
A very sweet story about stuff (objects to own) and what is important. cute illustrations.
September 12, 2012
Freaking adorable.
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October 25, 2012Pretty message-y, but I did like all the things on a string.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews