Mole and the Baby Bird

by Marjorie Newman, Patrick Benson (Illustrator)

Mole finds and lovingly cares for a wounded baby bird. As the bird recovers, Mole's mother explains that soon the bird will fly. But Mole wants to keep the bird, so he builds it a cage. Then, one beautifully clear day, Grandad takes Mole for a walk to the top of a high hill where Mole can feel the wind whipping around him. "I'm flying!" he says. When Mole returns home, he looks at the caged baby bird, finally understands that birds are meant to fly, and sets his baby bird free.

The extraordinary team of author Marjorie Newman and illustrator Patrick Benson has created a book that speaks to the delicate nature of love and freedom. This is a book for the ages, and one to treasure for a lifetime.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Birds, Family, Friendship, Storytime

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 2, 2002

Reviews

[Eduardo Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a little story about a little mole that found a little bird and kept it as his pet. The Mole’s family was not in favor of him keeping the little bird as his pet. They said it was a wild bird, but the Mole still made a cage and kept it. One day his grandpa went for a walk with him and made him realize birds need fo fly so when he came home he let the bird go.
This book reminds me of my birds at home and now I kind of feel sorry for them.
This is a cute story and it might teach kids the importance of freedom.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a little Mole who finds a baby bird while he is out one day. He brings the baby bird home, made it a nest and then showed his Mum and Dad. His friends and falimy helped him to care for the bird and it flourished until the day came for him to let his 'pet' bird fly and become wild once more.

This book is relevant to KS1 as it helps to teach them about the differences between wild animals and pets. Also, it touches upon habitats and life process - especially growth.

[Ashley Guzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was about a little mole that found a baby bird because it was lost and when it grew up the mole didn't want to let it go because he loved it. I liked the book because it was about how this little mole loved the bird. I recommend this book to all people because I liked maybe you would, too.

[Frank Angulo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was about a mole taking care of a bird.The book was good I kinda liked it because it was kinda silly.I think my friend Nick would like the book because he likes silliness.

[Alessandra Piaggio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goodreads Pt. 2
Summary:
Mole finds a bird that has fallen from its nest and decides to take care of him. As the bird grew, his mother explained to him that he was not a pet and that he had to set his bird free. Mole did not want to let him fly because he loved him so much that he did not want the baby bird to leave him. One day, Mole’s grandmother comes by and takes him for a walk to let him see how wild birds are meant to fly and be free. In the end, when Mole came back to his house, he decided to let the baby bird “fly away because he love it”.
Major Themes:
I consider that caring and freedom are the major themes for this book. Mole cared for his baby bird so much that he did not want to set him free but later, because he loved him, he decided to let him fly away.
Personal Response:
I enjoyed reading Mole and the Baby Bird. I loved the illustrations because they felt so real. I also loved the message this book gives the readers, it is a very warm, touching story.
My Recommendation:
I would recommend this book to children of age 6-10. This is a book that teaches on how if you love someone or care for them, you need to let them do whatever is best for them. Although this story is a short one, it teaches us how important it is for us to be selfless.

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Mole and the Baby Bird by Marjorie Newman, Illustrator Patrick Bensen- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the story of wounded baby bird who has fallen from her nest and is found by a Mole. Mole brings the bird home. She is fed and she recovers and grows. Mole prepares a wooden cage for her. Mole's mother explains that soon the bird will fly. But Mole wants to keep the bird, in the cage. Then, on one clear day, Mole’s Grandfather takes the Mole for a walk to the top of a high hill where Mole can feel the wind whipping around him. "I'm flying!" he says. Mole understands that the bird is not a pet bird but a wild bird who must fly to its habitat. Therefore, when they Mole returns home, the Mole and sets his baby bird free. Message- we should love nature of love and freedom is a must for all humans, birds and animals. Coloured illustrations help the reader to relate to the story. I have read the Hindi language translation of this book.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a somewhat melancholy tale of a young mole who finds an abandoned baby bird, saves its life, and hopes to keep it as a pet. The illustrations by Patrick Benson are utterly adorable.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mole found a baby bird who had fallen out of a nest, so he took it home to care for it. His parents told Mole that the bird is wild and it will die, so Mole took very good care of it to keep it alive. When the little bird tried to fly, Mole put it into a cage he'd built, but when Grandpa took Mole for a walk he began to understand what the little bird needed most. Sweet story with lovely illustrations.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mole finds a baby bird that has fallen from its nest. Mole takes the bird home to care for it, and keep it as a pet. Mole is told by his parents that the bird is not a pet, but a wild animal that needs to be set free. Mole is reluctant to set the bird free. While walking with his grandfather, Mole finally understands what he must do.

[Zoe Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about a mole who looks after a baby bird. The story teaches that sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do for the benefit of others. It is important to put the needs of others above what you want.

[Michelle Farella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely cried :-(

[هبة الله العدوي · Rating 4 out of 5]

، بساطة الرسومات وتقنية الرسم هي اكتر شي شدني وتناغم الالوان
شعرت بالحرية فعلا بالجزء الاخير من القصة ..
النص والرسومات بساطة وجمال

[Marissa Elera · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect little book.

[Liam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet, fable-like story, the moral of which surprisingly went over the kids' heads initially. Charming illustrations.

[Christine Lucia Asha · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEAUTIFUL story
mole wants to keep a baby bird he found but his parents disagree
in steps grandpa to remedy the situation

Brought a tear to my eye

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title nor cover give this sweet story about respecting wild animals justice! Much better than it looks! Def want this in my home/classroom library.

[Kaylynn Johnsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming story of learning to love. Mole learns that after he has saved the baby bird that freedom is the best gift he can give, "then he cried." So did I.

[Libby good · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this was a very cute story and teaches kids a meaningful lesson about how sometimes if you love someone you have to let them do what’s best for them and let them go.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I heard about this one from a friend, and it was definitely a good story. It made me think of how I'll feel when I have to let my kids move out and fly on their own.

[Alana · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's rather heartbreaking for most of it, and bittersweet at the end, but a very tender tale of holding too tight and learning to let go.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not what I imagined my four-year-old, vehicle-obsessed boy loving. For a week he asked for this as his bedtime and naptime read.

It's the story of a small mole who finds a baby bird, brings it home, and raises it well, despite the warnings from his parents that it will be hard work and the bird might die. When the bird begins to flap it's wings to fly, Mole gets scared and builds a cage to keep the bird with him. A wise grandfather cleverly teaches him why a bird needs to fly. After this visit from the grandfather, Mole makes a decision that makes him happy and sad.

The colors chosen in the illustrations reminded me a little of the Brambly Hedge books (which I love).

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet book about a young mole who finds a baby bird and nurses it back to health. As it grows, he doesn't want it to fly away. Tackles some tough life lessons about letting go as well as not keeping wild creatures penned up. I love that Mole's grandfather teaches him a lesson about what it means to be free and able to soar, without lecturing or scolding him.

The narrative is short and will keep the attention of even the youngest child. The illustrations are lovely and the characters are really expressive (especially for anthropomorphic moles). We really enjoyed reading this book together and we've read it a couple of times.

[Amy (Lost in a Good Book) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful little book. It is about a little mole who finds a baby bird. He raises the bird and doesn't want him to fly away and leave him. It has a great message about letting things we love go and accepting change.

The illustrations are down right ADORABLE and I love the adventures the mole and the baby bird go on, Benson has captured so much in the face of the little bird and it is a delight!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caring, kindergarten. Book about a mole that cares for a baby bird, but to show how much he loves it, he must let it go and fly as it was meant to. The kids are able to understand that mole loves the bird, but the bird is only happy when it can fly. They can tell why mole had to let the bird go. Very sweet story.

[Arirak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this because of the illustrations and it turned out to be a great book with a really sweet story.

[Jillybean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a really sweet story. Also has the same illustrator as Owl Babies.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

for that inevitable episode when a child brings home a baby animal to "raise", here is the bibliotherapy. birds are meant to fly. yadda yadda.

[Kara "kc"]

I love mole and the baby bird. I'm going to get another book.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and the emotion it draws on. My young children enjoy this one over and over again. This is one of my favorite books to read to them. The illustrations are wonderful.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 20 month old liked this. I loved the message that wild animals are not pets, and the pictures were beautiful. Worth adding to our library.