Mouse and Mole: Secret Valentine

Wong Herbert Yee's Mouse and Mole

by Wong Herbert Yee

Mole took a piece of pink paper  and folded it in half. He drew a curvy line in pencil. "That looks like my tail," giggled Mouse. "Don't be silly!" chuckled Mole. He cut along the line with scissors. Snip, snip, snip! "Presto!" Mole unfolded the paper. "Why, it's a heart!" Mouse exclaimed. "You are too clever, Mole!"   Rosy-cheeked Mouse and shy Mole share their secret valentines and feel butterflies in their bellies in this seventh installment in the award-winning Mouse and Mole series. Wong Herbert Yee creates just the right combination of sweetness, humor, and heart with his words and images for this early reader audience. Readers will be smitten and swooning with this new tender and funny book in this artful and accessible series. As an added bonus, learn how to make a valentine to share in the back of the book!

Genres: Holiday, Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship, Animals, Fiction, Chapter Books

48 pages, Hardcover

First published December 3, 2013

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

As best friends Mouse and Mole prepare Valentine cards for all their friends, both of them have secret crushes. After leaving cards for others, Mouse returns to her home to find a surprise. Young readers may smile quite a lot as they follow the two friends' antics since neither one realizes the truth about his/her secret admirer. Sometimes love is right under your nose as the text and litho pencil and gouache illustrations show.

[Katie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This early-reader chapter book is aimed at early elementary-age children or even as a preschool read aloud. The entire book describes Mole's crush on Mouse (flip flop feelings in his stomach, nervous when she's near, makes her things confessing his love, etc.). I would rather my small children read about how to be a good friend than encouraging secret admirers. I was disappointed Mouse and Mole can't just be best friends.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mouse and Mole are getting ready for Valentine's Day. They make cards, deliver them, and hope to see their secret admirer(s) at the big dance. I was a bit disappointed, because I consider all of the other Mouse and Mole titles 5's. Mouse and Mole's affection for each other is obvious, but the plot seems to be too repetitious on this point, although this title might still be a hit with the younger crowd. I like to get class sets of the Mouse and Mole titles (from the public library) and read them to the students while they follow along in their own books. Adorable color illustrations on every page makes these wonderful first chapter books. A Valentine's Day craft activity completes the book.

[Shelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mouse and Mole Secret Valentine is a perfect read for young readers that are not quite ready to leave the familiarity of picture books for chapter books. This book has the nice blend of small illustrations, high frequency sight words and simple sound out words to help with independent reader readiness and confidence. The story is a sweet tale of affection, friendship, and valentines.

[Ms. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, early chapter book about Mole and Mouse. Will shy Mole be able to share his true feelings with his best friend Mouse for Valentines Day?
This is the first book I read in the Mole & Mouse series by Wong Herbert Yee and I look forward to reading more.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture book features four stories about Mouse and Mole celebrating Valentine’s Day:
• "Valentine Cards"
• "Special Delivery"
• "Secret Missions"
• "The Dance"

In “Valentine Cards,” Mouse and Mole make valentines for their friends.

In “Special Delivery,” Mouse discovers she has a secret admirer.

In “Secret Missions,” Mouse tries to figure out who her secret admirer is, and Mole makes a special valentine for Mouse.

In “The Dance,” Mouse meets her secret admirer at the Valentine’s Day dance.

These are four gentle stories about two woodland animals who are friends. They emphasize friendship, thoughtfulness, problem solving, and consideration for others. They also focus on common occurrences, which affords young readers the opportunity to reflect on their own experience and the experience of others.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodreaders, did you think you were already familiar with plenty of odd couples? I did, but never had I ever encountered one as sweetly quirky as the pair in this Valentine story, Mouse and Mole.

The fanciful writing flows beautifully, right from the first page:

Mouse traced a heart on the frosted windowpane.

"Valentine's Day is coming!" she squeaked.
Just thinking about it
warmed Mouse
from ear to tail.

Not only is there a fine, romantic story. Young readers can learn how to turn a curvy line into a very convincing heart, so suitable for a valentine,

FIVE STARS of appreciation.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a sucker for romance, even if it is between a mouse and a mole, ha ha.
These two reviews on the sleeve say it better than me:
Kirkus Reviews: "The friendly, cooperative tone of the text is reminiscent of the Frog and Toad series."
School Library Journal: "These two are a lovely addition to the pantheon of easy-reader pals."

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute story - I liked the near-misses in the story, but I feel like the gag went on a smidge too long. (I'm also not a huge fan of how they can't be best friends without being in love, but that's neither here nor there.)
A good read for kids who are juuuuust about ready for chapter books.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Early chapter book; part of a series; Vlentine's Day theme. Didn't know this was part of a series -- stood alone well. Did not read to a class, so I can't gauge their reaction to it. Very cute story about secret admirers.

[Abirami Rajendran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lovely story; crossed my expectations!! They have a craft instructions at the end to make your valentine card. I bought this book at a library sale and surprisingly it was signed by author!! Made my day!!

[Monica Hocking · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unique book of friendship!

[Joey Gremillion · Rating 1 out of 5]

I pity the poor kid who tries to read this STINKER. Dreadful.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mouse and Mole make valentines together and then distribute them to their friends.

A secret Valentine invites Mouse to the Valentine's dance.

[Derek · Rating 5 out of 5]

!

[Mackenzie Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've enjoyed reading this cute series. The illustrations are adorable!

[Suebee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interminable! Ugh

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really adorable Valentine book! Cute story and illustrations.

[Honor #literallyslayqueen ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it was really cute

[Tiffany · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not one of my favorite Mouse and Mole books just because I felt like the subject (secret crushes) was over my 6 year old's head.

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really cute book and drawings. Love that there's even a tutorial on how to make the valentine card in the book!

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun tale for the wintertime, featuring pals Mouse and Mole. It has a sweet Valentine's Day theme. We read it a month late, but it didn't spoil the charm of the tale.

The story is broken up into short chapters and with colorful illustrations, it's great for young children who are just starting to read chapter books. We enjoyed reading this story together.

[Samuel Inskeep · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was yet another charming story about friendship between a mouse and a mole. Though this book revolves around Valentine's Day and mouse's 'Secret Valentine', it still remained simple and entertaining both girls and boys will enjoy reading it. I really enjoyed being how the pictures and words blended so well together, it helped the book flow extremely well.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really sweet book for early readers about Valentine's Day and first loves. It is somewhat long, and a little mushy, so just be aware that there might be some groans from kids thinking that it's too sweet!

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute Valentine story about mouse and mole trying to determine who their secret Valentine is. Good that they made Valentine cards for their friends. This title of the mouse and mole books was not as good as some of the others.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mouse and Mole make valentines and play at secret admirers. Sweet little romance brewing in this book, with the added niceness of instructions on how to make a really pretty valentine yourself. Wonderful book!

[Maggi Rohde · Rating 3 out of 5]

The holiday quotient is well met here, and the emotions associated with a crush are appropriately presented for the elementary school crowd. Yee works in plenty of little educational tidbits, such as "half a dozen" for 6 and some how-to instructions for card-related crafts.

[Tiff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mouse and mole celebrate valentines together by making valentines cards, delivering them, as well as finding out each others' secret love for each other. Lovable and cuddly illustrations and text encourages the beginning reader to flip through the pages.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mouse and Mole are making Valentine's Day cards. They both get a funny feeling inside when they think of each other. When Mouse receives a secret Valentine she tries to guess who it's from. Will the clues left behind lead her to her Special Valentine?

[Gail Shipley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute easy book for valentines Day.