Mouse & Mole A Fresh Start

Mouse and Mole

by Joyce Dunbar, James Mayhew (Illustrator)

The latest in a series of gentle and humorous stories by acclaimed author and illustrator team Joyce Dunbar and James Mayhew.

Contains three stories:

A Fresh Start
Mouse and Mole try to give their friendship a fresh start but realise they can’t go without seeing each other, even for a day.

Hip-Dip-Dip
When Mole is unable to decide which toy boat he likes best, Mouse suggests ‘hip-dip-dip’ to help him make his choice.

A Bolt from the Blue
Mouse and Mole try to avoid a storm by running, crawling and sitting it out, until they realise it’s impossible to know when a bolt from the blue will strike and to make the best of their situation.

Genres: Childrens

Kindle Edition

Published September 17, 2020

About the author

Joyce Dunbar is an English author of over seventy children’s books, best known for Tell Me Something Happy Before I Go To Sleep, This Is The Star, and the Mouse and Mole series. Born in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, she studied English at Goldsmiths College before teaching drama until hearing loss led her to write full time in 1989. Her first children’s book appeared when she was 35, followed by works such as Mundo and the Weather-Child, which explored the experiences of a deaf child and earned critical recognition. Her stories have been adapted for stage, television, and interactive media, with Mouse and Mole becoming a 26-part animated series. She has also been an advocate for deaf awareness, cycling across Cuba for charity. Dunbar lives in Norwich.

Reviews

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review.

Mouse and Mole: A Fresh Start is a collection of three sweet and simple stories about the friendship between Mouse and Mole. I love the illustrations in these books and the comforting and whimsical feel they give. This book offers the reader/audience many lessons such as compassion, understanding, friendship, fairness, taking things for granted, acceptance, and overcoming fears. Books like this always capture my heart and I can't wait to read more in this adorable series.

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well… set out on an adventure if you feel tired of seeing each other too much at home like Mouse and Mole does in this book!

I love the illustrations!

There’s one aspect I wouldn’t want the young readers to see in this particular read. It’s the way the characters behaved with each other actually saying mean things to one another.

So yes proceed with caution while reading this book to the kids and let’s emphasise that it’s not okay to talk like that with our friends and family.

Thank you, Star Bright Books, for the ARC.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC for #MouseandMoleAFreshStart from #NetGalley

Another hilarious and sometimes a great reminder how funny we can be to others, and it is OK to ask when you don't know. Sometimes we think that by admitting that we don't know made us "stupid" so we refrained from asking. While it is OK to not knowing something and to experiment on it. A really good quick read for adults, yet so true that I stopped and rethink how I view my decisions.

[Mary Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is such a joy to enter again into the lives of Mouse and Mole! These are quiet, simple stories that offer so much meaning, comfort and friendship to the reader, without making everything a huge, noisy drama. When I reviewed the reissue of the original Mouse & Mole book, I remarked on its’ philosophical quality, and I would like to reiterate that here. It is an easy philosophy, one that is set to bring hope and joy in the ordinary and expose the little gifts we may take for granted. The day-to-day adventures touch on wider issues and concepts; learning compassion and understanding, friendship, fears, problem solving, fairness, the environment, acceptance; while taking us into the personal lives of these two finding their way along. James Mayhews’ magical illustrations gracing every page are impeccably poised to lead us through Mouse & Moles’ days, lending beautiful detail, expression and wonder.
Beginning this book with the story “A Fresh Start” perfectly sets the intention and tone. We are given a promise of what is to come and a sense that there is continuity and familiarity upon which the reader can rely. We know this world; it is ours and it’s perfectly fine to share it. The remaining two stories echo this intent, as they take us along into decisions that must be made before a new adventure can start. The funny, gentle banter between to friends in their wanderings and ponderings add a cosy humour and personality to the stories that is simply delightful, making this book perfect to read aloud or for young readers beginning to gain confidence and comprehension. Comforting, quietly surprising, utterly charming and timeless; these stories of kindness and friendship are simply perfection. More of this, please.

[Theediscerning · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first experience of this series has three tiny wee stories in it, that concern a Mouse called Mouse and a Mole called Mole. It's trying to be quaint, old-fashioned, effortlessly enjoyable and so on, but somehow manages to prove that these stories really can be quite peculiar at times. In the first story, Mole decides they need to freshen up their friendship by going without each other for a whole day. What ensues is clearly stretching a day, as Mole enters quest mode all for himself, but also proves these guys share a bathroom, if not more.

Still, I could point to the third piece, where thunder comes before lightning, or so it seems, but it is just peculiar to see behind the curtain and be faced with bare evidence of these characters in some kind of lavatorial relationship. Perhaps best here is the middle piece, with what might actually manage to surprise the very young reader this is aimed at, and please them besides. To anyone older than that very young reader this will feel mildly formulaic, lacking in drama, surprise and certainly devoid of anything really fresh enough to make a recommendation. This series came my way, at last, with an American house reprinting the British-only originals, and while there's nothing inherently bad here, I'm still a touch surprised they picked on these books to give new life to.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

What lead to this title was the fact that I had read the series of picture books about Katie encountering various art works in a museum by the illustrator of this series, James Mayhew and wanted to see his work for another author than himself.
This particular Mouse and Mole title is one of eleven in the series which has been published in England since at least the 1990s. This particular title was published in the United Kingdom in 2020 and in the USA in 2024.
What can I say it’s two English creators, the English enjoy attributing human characteristics to animals, the English have a subtle sense of humor and this title with three stories and many illustrations is spot on in these three characteristics. I love the story “The Bolt from the Blue” with an underlying message of Botha from the blue one has to go one.
Now to locate the other titles and read on.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Star Bright Books for an advanced read copy of Mouse and Mole: A Fresh Start and Mouse and Mole: The Secret of Happiness!

The Mouse and Mole Series is a great choice for beginning chapter books for early readers. My first grade daughter was able to read the books fluently and the illustrations kept her engaged throughout. The chapters are short enough to hold the attention of beginning readers but detailed enough to contain a plot to challenge a young readers comprehension. Mouse and Mole definitely left me with lots of Frog and Toad vibes from my own childhood.

As a parent and elementary school teacher, I would recommend this book to early elementary teachers and young families!

[Shan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute idea, but the execution was a little odd. It felt like there wasn't really a point to the story, other than to be grateful for your friends. This is a great message for kids to learn, but this message was really only present in the first chapter. The remainder of the book felt kind of boring and pointless. But, I thought that the overall story was cute and very sweet. The illustrations were spectacular and very detailed, which will help kids get really into the story and enjoy it even more.

[Martina Bohnslav · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story, my daughter enjoyed it. However, as an adult, I find mole to be an incredibly selfish friend…he pretty much walks all over mouse and mouse just takes it.

The illustrations are lovely however and while I had my critiques, we still liked it for story time. Great for new readers.

Thanks NetGalley for the e-arc.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great start to chapter books for early readers. It is a great length and is not super long for kids.