Wenn Du eine Sternschnuppe siehst, wunsch dir was

by Sang-Keun Kim, Klaartje Van Der Put

With echoes of Raymond Briggs's classic The Snowman , here is a magical, timeless story about the friendship between a lonely little mole and a snowball he molds into a bear that comes to life.

Little Mole is new in town, and he's lonely. On his way home from school on a winter day, he rolls a snowball all the way to the bus stop. He tells it his problems and grows very attached. But when Little Mole tries to take the snowball home with him on the bus, the driver refuses and leaves without them. So Little Mole comes up with a plan: mold the snowball into a bear. Surely that will do the trick? After much effort, he finally convinces a bus driver to pick them up. The bus is warm and cozy, and Little Mole falls asleep. But we all know what happens to snowballs when they get warm. . . . Luckily, Grandma is waiting at home, and she finds a way to return her grandson's new friend to him. With a classic, timeless feel and stunning illustrations, this heartwarming story of friendship and love is full of mood, atmosphere, and poignancy.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Animals, Childrens, Fiction, Storytime, Juvenile

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[La Coccinelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute little story about a lonely mole and his "friend". On his way home from school, Little Mole confides in a snowball that he's new in town and doesn't yet have any friends. The snowball listens. Encouraged, Little Mole builds up the snowball and rolls it to the bus stop. But the bus driver won't let him bring a snowball on board, and he drives away. Little Mole has the brilliant idea to turn the snowball into a bear, but the next bus driver who comes along sees right through the illusion and refuses to let them get on. It isn't until Little Mole dresses the snow bear in his hat that the third bus driver finally lets them on. Unfortunately, the bus is toasty and warm, and when Little Mole wakes up at his stop, his "friend" is gone. He goes home and tells his grandmother all about his day... and wakes up in the morning to a sweet surprise.

The story is simple, but effective. The illustrations are what really shine here, though. From the gentle colour palette to the various animal bus drivers, everything speaks to the feeling of a soft, snowy day. I couldn't help but feel sorry for Little Mole (what kind of bus driver leaves a child by himself in the snow and drives off?!) but everything turned out all right in the end.

If you're looking for a winter picture book that doesn't have a holiday theme, this is a charming one to try.

Quotable moment:

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this lovely, little book! I’m so happy my 2019 picture book reading is going to end on a gem.

Our tale begins with a lonely little mole making a friend. His new friend is a little snowball that grows and grows as they walk along and talk and share. Will Little Mole’s new friend survive a warm bus ride home though? Close your eyes and make a wish and see!

This beautiful book is so sweet. The pages are quiet and filled with wonder. Everything about it is so soft and expressive—from the snow to the sky to Little Mole’s little face! I read it again and again just to see the hope flash across his face.

This book says so much about friendship and loyalty in so few words and pages. Pick it up and see!

Highly recommended.

[Elizabeth A · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute picture book about friendship and kindness. It's translated from the Korean, and while the story itself is really simple, it's the illustrations that bring this story to life.

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely soft illustrations, great story about finding a friend, wishing, wondering, and hoping.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Mole was heading home alone on the first day of snow, when he met a snowball on the path. He brought the snowball along with him to the bus stop. He waited for a bus, but the driver wouldn’t let him on with a snowball. So Little Mole sculpted the snowball into a bear. But the next driver realized it was still a snowball. So Little Mole gave the snow bear a backpack. The two waited a very long time together for the next bus, long enough that Little Mole shared his hat in case the bear was cold. That bus allowed them both to board. On the warm bus, Little Mole fell asleep and when he woke up his friend was gone. The bus driver urged him to head home, saying his friend must have gotten off at another stop. Little Mole got home and told his grandmother all about his day. When he went to bed, he wondered where his friend had gone. In the morning, his grandmother called him with a big surprise!

There is so much magic about this picture book that was originally published in South Korea. Little Mole is an entirely winning character who problem solves along the way, creating a bear just as charming as he is. The words and illustrations work seamlessly together here as Little Mole builds a friend from snow. Readers will have a series of surprises as the book goes on, including the two riding the bus together and then the final surprise that ensures everyone will know that wishes come true.

Kim’s illustrations are soft and dreamy, done in colored pencil, pastel, pen and digital. They are full of small touches that bring the entire world to life with an owl sleeping in the hollow tree, Mole having a similar teddy bear to the bear he builds from snow, and each bus matching its driver in design, including the final bus having deer antlers.

A perfect read for the first snow. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

[Bian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Irgendwie ist das Büchlein traurig😅 - mag ich als einziges sehen... ist aber so. Es geht um etwas andere Freundschaft - einzigartig - so könnte mensch sie nennen... naiv, würden andere sie vielleicht beschreiben.
Aber vielleicht ist manchmal schön naiv zu sein ✨️ so bleibt die Welt noch voller Wunder und nix unmöglich - auch ein schöner Gedanke.
Ein schönes Buch ♡.

[Theresa Grissom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable.

[Anneke Alnatour · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very beautiful illustrations. Funny story.

[Librarian Jessie (BibliophileRoses) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute quick read about a little mole and his friend made of snow. Extremely heartwarming.

[Diana Meraz Carnevale · Rating 5 out of 5]

9 months after I first discovered this wonderful author-illustrator I finally read for my daughter "Il Desiderio di una Piccola Talpa" (in italian) and I loved it so much. There are subtleties throughout the story that cleverly tell two tales: one for adults who have forgotten that wishes made to a star come true, and one for children who still see their magic... And of course it is beautifully illustrated too.

[Karen Arendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kim's gentle, endearing story about a lonely little mole who creates a friend out of snow wonderfully captures a child's innocence and magical sense of wonder.

[Florence Mullot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Je suis vraiment contente d’avoir renoué avec les albums jeunesse cette année, notamment grâce à NetGalley. A chaque fois je me régale de ces petites douceurs absolument adorables et Le Plus beau voeu de mini-taupe n’a pas dérogé à la règle.

Parlons déjà des dessins. D’une douceur incroyable, ils plantent le décor tout de suite. On arrive même à sentir cette neige duveteuse qui nous accompagne tout au long de l’histoire. Les personnages sont à croquer avec des visages très expressifs. Je suis tombée sous le charme.

L’histoire, elle, a ce côté mélancolique et un petit triste mais sans jamais être trop oppressante. Notre petit taupe se sent seule et elle veut un ami. Une boule de neige pourrait faire l’affaire, non ? Bien entendu, les adultes savent tout de suite que cela ne sera pas possible… la neige fond… mais on a tellement envie d’y croire, surtout quand la petite boule de neige prend la forme de cet ours qu’on a envie de câliner. Et puis, il y a cette étoile filante… Pourra-t-elle exaucer le vœu de Mini-Taupe ? Là encore, on veut y croire.

La magie de cette histoire ne peut pas nous laisser indifférents. Et c’est tout le charme de ces albums. Retomber en enfance, retrouver des sentiments cachés et croire.

Sans aucun suspens, je serai ravie de découvrir d’autres œuvres de Sang-Keun Kim. Notre Mini-Taupe a su gagner mon cœur et je suis prête à d’autres aventures.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 1 out of 5]

Little Mole’s Wish by Sang-Keun Kim. PICTURE BOOK. Schwartz & Wade (Random House), 2019. $18. 9780525581345

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - NO

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

Little Mole is feeling lonely because he is new to the neighborhood. As he is waiting for the bus, he makes himself a bear friend from the accumulating snow. When they finally get on the bus, he wakes to find his friend has melted away. That night he makes wish and in the morning a surprise awaits him.

While comparable to the classic Frosty the Snowman, it has none of the accompanying magic. Little Mole comes off as sad and pitiful instead of full of wonder.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Lucie Coppin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nous retrouvons ici notre petite taupe qui se lie d'amitié avec... une énorme boule de neige ! Elle prend cette amitié très au sérieux, au point de tout tenter pour qu'elle puisse prendre le bus avec elle... jusqu'à la modeler en petit ours ! Les amitiés de cette petite taupe sont toujours touchantes et pleines de rebondissements ! Nous sommes ici plongés dans un doux hiver avec elle, les illustrations sont superbes. A lire sans modération dès 3 ans.

[Melou.book · Rating 3 out of 5]

Une petite douceur 🤍

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Created with colored pencil, pastel, and pen and then digitally compiled, the illustrations in this picture book speak volumes about friendship, determination, and belief in the power of magic. Little Mole has recently moved to the area and feels lonely. When he finds a snowball on his way to the bus, he shares his worries with it, and then decides that the two of them should catch a ride home. But Mr. Bear and Mr. Fox won't let Little Mole climb aboard with his icy friend even though he has modified it so that it looks like a little bear. After all, they tell him, it's just a bunch of snow. Little Mole gives his friend his knitted cap to keep him warm, and Mr. Deer lets them both on his bus. But the warm temperature on the vehicle causes Little Moe to fall asleep and his friend to melt. He's disconcerted an upset when he awakens to find that his friend has disappeared without even saying goodbye. But maybe that friend isn't gone forever as he finds when he awakens the next day. Could it be that the wish he wished on that shooting star came true? Or did his grandmother build another snowman just for him? Nevertheless, Little Moe no longer feels all alone. The story and illustrations effectively capture the innocence of a child and might remind older readers of the times when they believed in the goodness of those around them and a friendship between a snowball and a child.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little Mole is new to town and has no friends. He finds a snowball which he then tries to take on the bus. The bus driver won't let him bring on a snowball, so Little Mole works on the snowball until it's the shape of a bear (and dressed in some of Little Mole's things). That works to get the friend on the bus. Little Mole falls asleep on the bus. When he wakes, the friend is gone and only the clothes are left. The driver tells him that his friend left.

Little Mole goes home and talks to Grandma and tells her about his day. He wonders where his friend has gone. The next morning Grandma tells him that someone is there for him. It's his friend!

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not love this book more! This sweet story of a mole seeking a friend and building a snow friend is so adorable. The soft colors of the illustrations remind of that first untouched soft winter snowfall that is simply perfection. The bus drivers will not allow a snowball on the bus, so mole changes the shape. He is outwitted by several drivers before riding the bus and catching a nap. What will Mole find when he awakes? Students will know, but tell them to listen closely as the magic of this story is not while Mole is on that bus...

This is simpley a first purchase. I ADORED this book!!!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I just moved here. I don’t have any friends. — The snowball listened quietly."

Caution: You are guaranteed to say, "Awwww!" by page 5 of Sang-Keun Kim's story. Little Mole is new to his town and isn't sure where to look for friends. When Mole makes his first friend, a quiet and round little snowball, he's so excited, but no one else seems to think anyone could ever be friends with a snowball. To change their minds, Mole turns the snowball into a giant bear snowman and the two embark on a journey around their little town. This is a fantastic book on friendship, compassion, and courage!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A soft wintery story about finding a friend. Little mole is new in town, and maybe a little lonely and maybe a little shy. So he sees a friend in the snow all around, and makes a big snowball to talk to. But the journey home with his friend, while not smooth, becomes almost a process of willing this friend into existence through persistent determination. Sweet and soft and charming, the footprints on the endpapers say it all.

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story, cute art. Little Mole is lonely, so he makes a friend out of snow and wishes he was real. Little Mole wants to get on the bus, but two different bus drivers won't let him bring a giant snowball on. The third bus driver lets him bring his friend on the bus.

As a parent, I'm angry at the bus drivers leaving this little kid all alone in the snow. And I think the third bus driver is thinking the same thing, that he can't just leave the kid out there.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little mole has a big, precious heart. He befriends a snowball, sculpting it into a bear. Why won't any of the bus drivers let his new friends onto the bus? Little Mole makes a big wish on a star as he stays with his snowy friend-- grandma says it'll come true if you do. A sweet book of loyalty and hope.

[Abby Johnson]

This South Korean import is adorable and wistful as Little Mole wishes for a friend after he moves to a new town. He creates a friend out of snow, but the bus driver won't allow a snowball on the bus. There's a little bit of a surprise ending. It's just a super sweet tale, perfect for sharing with kids who are maybe feeling a little bit lonely.

[Margaret Boling · Rating 4 out of 5]

6/5/2020 ~ As I think about this story in retrospect, I'm considering how it's an allegory for friendship. Little Mole really wanted his friend to come home, but riding on the bus was not the best thing for his friend, bear (made all of snow). With friends, their needs can be different from our own.

[Tweller83 · Rating 2 out of 5]

7/30/21 - I am definitely the unpopular opinion here, but other than the illustrations I really didn't like this book. Most of the adults are either mean or just ineffective and Little Mole just seems to be a pitiful character rather than one who finds friends in his new town. Not something I would give my grandchild.

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute story about a mole who made friends with a snow bear. I got a little teary eyed at the end when he found his friend again. This would make a better one-on-one story for lower elementary children.

[Read Ribbet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story of a friendship and loss and hope. Kim uses Little Mole's friendship with a snowman he creates to tell the story. Written with minimal narrative language and supported by gorgeous illustration, it is a wonderful book to add to a classroom collection.

[Bridget Neace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute little story that the whole family loved. I grabbed it from the library and read it to my son and daughter--they enjoyed it so much, they insisted we hang on to it until daddy could hear it, too. :)

[Kelly]

This book is so adorable. Oh my gosh the poor little mole just wants a friend, so he creates one out of snow. But his friend disappears because he's made of snow. And the next day he comes back. Kind of a Frosty the Snowman thing but cuter and quieter.