Morris Mole: A Heartwarming Animal Story About Courage for Kids

by Dan Yaccarino

Meet Morris Mole—he has always been a little bit different. When the moles are running low on food, it's up to clever Morris to save the day. With a little help from an unexpected friend and a lot of digging, Morris learns that even the smallest creatures can do big things.

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

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2017

About the author

Exhibitions of his work have been held throughout the world. He is also the creator of the animated TV Series Willa's Wild Life and Oswald.

Mr. Yaccarino lives in New York City with his wife and two children.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Morris dares to be different one day, and discovers an amazing world awaiting the more adventurous types. I've always been a big fan of Yaccarino's illustrations, and this book didn't let me down in the art department.

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morris Mole - Dan Yaccarino Morris is a nerdy mole who wears a suit and a dapper hat and carries an umbrella. His brothers all wear hardhats. There is a crisis. And then unexpected turns of events. Nerds for the win!
Library copy
 
 

[Ms. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story about Morris the Mole who is scared, but uses his courage to save the day. Dan Yaccarino's illustrations make the story! This will be a fun read-aloud.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really graphically interesting pictures and a fantastic story! Love books where unlikely heroes are able to shine. Might be a tad bit too long for storytime, but overall thought this was a great read!

[KC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Morris the mole is small but is capable of a big things.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace: “What do Moles eat?” The book goes on to explain, so I won’t ruin it for you. A fun little book about anyone being able to make a difference.

[jennyreadit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Morris isn't the typical mole. He wears a suit. He's smaller than the others. He wants to explore up rather than dig down. He tries to do things, only the other moles are "bigger and better." Until the moles run low on food. Can Morris save them? Even the smallest creatures can do great things. Good for celebrating unconventional thinking.

[Margaret Chind · Rating 2 out of 5]

Moles are ruining our yard and we, as a family, pretty much despise them. So, I'll admit I come into this reading and review a bit jaded. Morris Mole is different from the rest and his story is all about breaking the mold and going his own route. Yes, it turns out well for all, but it feels like this is a concept being over pushed in out society today which confuses children to hear it too much as they are convinced that it is wrong to be average and normal.

To top it off. more elements are shoved in at the last minute as the little guy rescues the big and is indebted. "I may be small, but I can do big things."

Review copy, honest opinion. Not on the keeper shelf.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illuatrations are beautifully quirky.
Morris in his hard hat is adorable.

[Megan Drever · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quite charming and sweet book.

[Sharrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so cute. I love the message of “I may be small but I can do big things.” So perfect. My child loves it and has me read it 2-4 times a night.

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the main character and the plot. The illustrations and text worked beautifully together. The endpapers were almost my favorite part. Teachers will appreciate the positive message for young readers. Without spoiling, I was disappointed by the fox's reaction, but liked the book overall.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the storyline is a familiar trope of children's entertainment (character isn't like all of the others and does things a bit differently--but ends up saving the day), the character design was a real treat. I naturally envisioned Morris with a proper British accent!

[Cosette]

I'm conflicted about his one. I asked my listener how she felt about this story. Her response? "Mom, I think I'd like to hear 3 more stories tonight." Yeah, she's not gonna weigh in on that one either.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yaccarino, Dan Morris Mole PICTURE BOOK Harper, 2017. $17.99 Content: G.

Morris is the smallest mole out of his brothers and they don’t listen to his ideas. One day Morris decides he’s going to overcome his fears and instead of digging down to look for food he is going to dig up. He discovers all sorts of good foods and enjoys the trees and flowers. He ends up saving a fox from a hungry wolf, and in gratitude the fox gathers food and throws it down the hole to Morris and his brothers.

The illustrations in the book are fun and bright and Morris the Mole is adorable. I liked the idea that even though he was small and scared, he became courageous and was rewarded for his work. But the fox part of the story was weird-the fox was going to eat Morris and then Morris saved the fox against a wolf? Why didn’t the wolf want to eat Morris? It became really illogical and lost its appeal.

EL (K-3) – OPTIONAL. Reviewer, C. Peterson.
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...

[Sarah G-Law · Rating 4 out of 5]

Morris is a mole who lives underground with his many brothers. But he is a bit different from his brothers who dig all day. He wears a suit, reads in bed, and is the smallest by far. When they run out of food, Morris knows the solution is to go up, not down like his brothers believe. No one will listen to him so he must dig deep within himself and find the courage to go alone.

When he pops up on the surface he discovers a beautiful world full of flowers and colours and plentiful, delicious food. As he comes face to face with a big fox, his life is in danger until he rescues the fox in the best way he knows how: digging! With the fox on his side and all the other garden creatures wanting to help, Morris delivers a feast to his brothers that they have never seen.

Morris may be small, but he can do big things.

Great lesson:

That no matter how small you are, you are capable of doing big things.

Why I like it:

My son is small and often afraid of trying new things so this is a fun way to show him that he can always find courage deep within and accomplish big goals.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes you have to be in the right place at the right time, and sometimes luck helps a little, too! Morris the Mole, the littlest mole, dug into the earth with his brothers, and one day they ran out of food. They agreed that they must dig deeper, but Morris tried to get their attention because he had an idea. He dug up! The triumphs and failures that occur are just right for young readers. There is happiness and trouble, but goodness helps solve everything, a lesson to remember. A fox and friends are there with Morris, and a wolf as well. My only concern is that once again the big, bad wolf stereotype is extended. I wish that wolves weren’t often the bad ones. The full-page illustrations by Dan Vaccarino are full of story, too, his spare text illuminated with broad humor, alarm, and finally, relief. It’s such fun to read this book.

[Olivia Thames · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that remind all that no matter how small you might feel or physically be, you can muster up the courage to explore the big world outside your front door (and help many along the way)!

Morris is too cute for words, and one of the best characters (animal or human), that inspires in me a new sense of self-esteem. Yes he is a cartoon mole, and yes I am a 26-year-old woman, but should we not learn from those different from ourselves? I feel a little lighter, and a lot fuller, since learning about and from Morris.

The illustrations will grab your eyes and nostalgia tightly, in how both will be pleased by the use of shapes, colors, and the 60's, Beatles-like vibe they emit.

Given the success of this book's illustrations and plot, I wonder what else we will discover from Yaccarino's list of work?

[Arminzerella · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations are delightful, but Morris the Mole's story doesn't really add much to the small but special genre. Morris decides to dig UP instead of DOWN in order to find more food for himself and the other moles. While he's collecting food, he meets a fox who almost eats him except suddenly there's a wolf and the fox needs Morris' help, and then just as suddenly the wolf threat disappears. Then Morris and the fox are miraculously friends and all of the fox's friends help collect MORE food for the moles. The fox and wolf seem unnecessary to the story - Morris has already found food by the time they make their appearance - and the plot points are so quickly resolved they might as well not have been included.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Morris and his brothers run low on food, Morris decides to dig up instead of down.

Morris is different from his siblings in strength, stature, taste, temperament, and mind. When their food supply dwindles, he decides to dig up instead of down. Morris explores the world above ground and collects food to bring home.

A run-in with a fox threatens to put an end to Morris, but a combination of luck and quick thinking not only saves Morris but gains him another ally. And he returns home triumphant.

This story demonstrates the value of differences and different perspectives in problem solving. It also shows loving sibling relationships despite being very different people/moles.

The illustrations are done in Dan Yaccarino’s signature whimsical, mid-century modern inspired style.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son has been on a reading kick lately. I bet I've read this one twenty times in the past week. Morris is the youngest of a bunch of mole brothers and goes to the surface world in search of food. It's a fun book to read out loud.

My son is autistic and speech delayed so it delights me to no end when he repeats things from this book. We were at the creek the other day and he called the minnows "Tiny tasty fishies" because of Morris. He also imitates my wolf voice and walks around saying "Hey, pipsqueak! Where's that lousy fox?"

[Juliana Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Morris's family runs out of food, his big brothers agree to dig deeper underground. But Morris, the smallest brother digs up and finds a feast above the ground. As he collects food to take to his brothers, he is almost eaten by a fox. But when the fox hears the growl of the wolf, he begs Morris to hide him. So Morris digs a hole to hide fox, making fox so thankful that he and his friends help Morris collect food to take underground.

[Arnela · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's so bright and vivid, I almost stopped reading and stared at the pages [the art can distract from the simple sentences on the page, watch out for that].

It's an adorable story of Morris Mole, the smallest of his brothers. And even though he's small he manages to do something very big for the people he cares about.

Great for all ages, and it teaches kids that no matter how small, if you try your best and believe in yourself you can get over whatever hurdle is in your way.

[Kimberly Medley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Morris Mole had many ideas and wanted to do big things, but was never heard by his other brothers. So Morris decided to go with his ideas and he was able to help a fox out. This book can be good for emotions or positive risks taking. Teachers can utilize this book in their classroom to support children in building self-confidence and exploring their own ideas. In addition, teachers can support the child's ideas and see that it'll lead to an impactful outcome.

[Jada · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because of the underdog turns into the hero type of storyline. I would use this book to talk about making sure we listen to everyone's ideas as well as trying new things. Morris had an idea and because his family was starving and no one was listening he went through with it. It is an enjoyable book because he experiences new things and the children would love to hear such a light-hearted book.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the world needs more books about moles, and this is a fun one.

I love the idea of small, but mighty and the message is loud and clear here.

Perfect illustrations with the darkness representing the underground and the lighter pictures showing the above ground. Clever ending with the fox and wolf.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story about a mole who gathers up his courage and looks for food where his brothers have never thought to before; up! Little Morris gathers food, and accidentally tries to pluck Fox's nose in the blackberry bush. Fox is about to eat Morris when they hear a growl. Morris hides Fox. Everyone helps Morris gather food for himself and his brothers.

[Heather Gunnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Staff Pick
Heather

"I may be small, but I can do big things." That is the message of Morris Mole, and I love it. Morris is just a little different from his bigger brothers, so when they run out of food he comes up with an idea that's also a little different. With the help of some new friends, Morris brings back a great feast for him and his brothers.

[Jennifer Strong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morris Mole has got to be the cutest mole I've ever seen! He does things a little differently than his brothers, but that comes in handy when they run out of food. Even though he's small, he can do big important things!
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A new favorite! I love love Dan Yaccarino's artistic style. It's such a pretty book and the story has a good message.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book about a little mole who does something unheard of - digs up instead of down. A story full of bravery and action, Yaccarino once again fills his pages with quirky characters, good story, and a message - in this case about doing big things even when you are small. A thoroughly enjoyable read aloud.