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Mouse and Mole
Mouse & Mole: The Secret of Happiness
Mouse and Mole's charming, gentle and humourous adventures continue in this new addition to the much-loved series.
Contains three stories:
The Secret of Happiness
Mole dreams that he finds the secret of happiness and wakes a grumpy Mouse to tell him, but then Mole instantly forgets! Mole spends all day trying to remember, bringing Mouse and all their friends to join his search, but will he manage to discover the secret again?
This Way and That
Mole sets off for a walk going this way and that, but Mouse keeps asking him to run errands for him. But why is Mouse making Mole run these seemingly useless errands, and will Mole ever be able to go for his care-free wander?
A Good Read
Mouse and Mole sit down for a good read, but Mole can't stop fidgeting and distracting Mouse. Whether it's finding a place to sit, having hiccups, itching and scratching or yawning, Mole just can't stay still.
Contains three stories:
The Secret of Happiness
Mole dreams that he finds the secret of happiness and wakes a grumpy Mouse to tell him, but then Mole instantly forgets! Mole spends all day trying to remember, bringing Mouse and all their friends to join his search, but will he manage to discover the secret again?
This Way and That
Mole sets off for a walk going this way and that, but Mouse keeps asking him to run errands for him. But why is Mouse making Mole run these seemingly useless errands, and will Mole ever be able to go for his care-free wander?
A Good Read
Mouse and Mole sit down for a good read, but Mole can't stop fidgeting and distracting Mouse. Whether it's finding a place to sit, having hiccups, itching and scratching or yawning, Mole just can't stay still.
- GenresChildrensPicture Books
32 pages, Hardcover
Published May 11, 2021
16 people want to read
About the author
Joyce Dunbar
157 books22 followersJoyce 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.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 1, 2025
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalleyand the publishers.
Mouse and Mole: The Secret of Happiness is another adorable edition to the Mouse and Mole series. These books are so beautifully illustrated, and each book contains three short stories. In this book, we have:
The Secret of Happiness
This Way and That
A Good Read
I love how different these animals are, yet their friendship prevales, and the pair care for each other regardless of their different breeds and personalities.
Mouse and Mole: The Secret of Happiness is another adorable edition to the Mouse and Mole series. These books are so beautifully illustrated, and each book contains three short stories. In this book, we have:
The Secret of Happiness
This Way and That
A Good Read
I love how different these animals are, yet their friendship prevales, and the pair care for each other regardless of their different breeds and personalities.
June 8, 2021
My review is on my website www.bookread2day.wordpress.com
I thought this was a magnificent book!
Wow! Children are in for a real treat. Inside the book has the amazing picture of Mouse and Mole to help children know who is the Mouse and which one is the Mole.
What I thought was a marvellous idea Inside the book its special place for children to put their name .
The story is about different subjects that contain everything that children do. Mouse and Mole sit in their armchairs and read. But Mole gets hiccups, then an itch and each time Mouse helps Mole, just like real friends do, they all help each other.
Mole decided to go for a walk, but each time Mole went for a walk he was sent on errands to bring back something for Mouse.
I wondered why this book was Mouse and Mole The Secret of Happiness and then I found out.
When Mole wakes up from having a dream he can’t remember what his dreamt at all. But all Mole friends try to help Mole remember the dream. And then Mole remembers it.
Mouse and Mole The Secret to Happiness is high up on my recommendation children’s book list as this book is a truly beautiful well designed story by Joyce Dunbar and an amazing illustrated book by James Mayhew.
I thought this was a magnificent book!
Wow! Children are in for a real treat. Inside the book has the amazing picture of Mouse and Mole to help children know who is the Mouse and which one is the Mole.
What I thought was a marvellous idea Inside the book its special place for children to put their name .
The story is about different subjects that contain everything that children do. Mouse and Mole sit in their armchairs and read. But Mole gets hiccups, then an itch and each time Mouse helps Mole, just like real friends do, they all help each other.
Mole decided to go for a walk, but each time Mole went for a walk he was sent on errands to bring back something for Mouse.
I wondered why this book was Mouse and Mole The Secret of Happiness and then I found out.
When Mole wakes up from having a dream he can’t remember what his dreamt at all. But all Mole friends try to help Mole remember the dream. And then Mole remembers it.
Mouse and Mole The Secret to Happiness is high up on my recommendation children’s book list as this book is a truly beautiful well designed story by Joyce Dunbar and an amazing illustrated book by James Mayhew.
August 28, 2024
Yes! Our own happiness is within our reach only when we can make it happen or reach out for it as Mouse and Mole is telling us through this short story!
You will realise what the secret is to your own happiness while reading this book with your kids as I did when I read it twice to myself just now!
Thank you, Star Bright Books, for the gorgeously illustrated and well written board book ARC.
You will realise what the secret is to your own happiness while reading this book with your kids as I did when I read it twice to myself just now!
Thank you, Star Bright Books, for the gorgeously illustrated and well written board book ARC.
May 23, 2021
Happiness means different things to different people.
To me it means settling down to read on a cold wet day.
This is a lovely book about friendship.
To me it means settling down to read on a cold wet day.
This is a lovely book about friendship.
November 19, 2024
I received an ARC for #MouseandMoleTheSecretofHappiness from #NetGalley
Always love and waited for the next book of this series. The book contains 3 stories of the life of a mouse who shared a house with a mole. Two different kind of rodents, with different habits, who tried to make it happen. A funny thing, since it happens in human version too. Both means well, but their version of well differs, yet it's nobody's fault. An amusing book to read for old and young, actually.
Always love and waited for the next book of this series. The book contains 3 stories of the life of a mouse who shared a house with a mole. Two different kind of rodents, with different habits, who tried to make it happen. A funny thing, since it happens in human version too. Both means well, but their version of well differs, yet it's nobody's fault. An amusing book to read for old and young, actually.
August 7, 2024
My second experience of this series once again features three tiny wee stories, of the Mouse called Mouse and the Mole called Mole. This time round the title story comes last of the three, which is fine, as the one we start with limps to a very weakly-delivered attempt at a punchline. The middle piece offers something that might actually form a discussion, as each character thinks the other most contrary, if not muddled, as they each have different opinions about what is important regarding a countryside walk. The third is, much as the first book proved, able to really cock an accidental snook at the whole format, when we see a Rabbit called Rabbit that is a female bunny – just pages after Rabbit the Rabbit was male.
Now, in this woke, gender dysmorphic world, that might be the plot, but it's the kind of accidental detail that I guess the adult can't help raising an eyebrow at. But s/he does this because, as old-fashioned as these books might be, as charming as they might aspire to be, they don't really offer all that much. They're fine, but they're the underwhelming kind of 'fine', the forgettable, 'nothing special here' kind of title that are perfectly OK for a rainy afternoon's browse, but would never inspire me to rush to the stores. I'm still kind of happy for the creators that this series was picked up for an American reprint, but equally a little surprised this of all franchises was chosen for such tribute.
Now, in this woke, gender dysmorphic world, that might be the plot, but it's the kind of accidental detail that I guess the adult can't help raising an eyebrow at. But s/he does this because, as old-fashioned as these books might be, as charming as they might aspire to be, they don't really offer all that much. They're fine, but they're the underwhelming kind of 'fine', the forgettable, 'nothing special here' kind of title that are perfectly OK for a rainy afternoon's browse, but would never inspire me to rush to the stores. I'm still kind of happy for the creators that this series was picked up for an American reprint, but equally a little surprised this of all franchises was chosen for such tribute.
August 8, 2024
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!
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!
September 21, 2024
My review will be live on my blog - donnasbookblog on 22 October 2024 - publication day!
This was a lovely little story with some great illustrations that bring the story of Mole and Mouse to life - they are great characters and I loved the interaction between them.
The book is well written, the language is perfect for the age range, it is easy to follow and understand. The book has a nice natural flow to the story that makes it an addictive read.
I loved the messaging about happiness in the book too and finding what the secret is to your own happiness. It is 4 stars from me for this one - highly recommended!
This was a lovely little story with some great illustrations that bring the story of Mole and Mouse to life - they are great characters and I loved the interaction between them.
The book is well written, the language is perfect for the age range, it is easy to follow and understand. The book has a nice natural flow to the story that makes it an addictive read.
I loved the messaging about happiness in the book too and finding what the secret is to your own happiness. It is 4 stars from me for this one - highly recommended!
July 20, 2024
Cute book! The author perfectly set up the story, and it was short but sweet. Even though it was short, the plot was fully developed and present, allowing the story to make sense and flow really nicely. The story itself will definitely make young readers giggle and be entertained the entire time. As for the general premise, I thought that it was unique and fresh, not cliche or boring. Lastly, the illustrations were stunningly colorful, vibrant, fun, and detailed, matching the tone of the story and bringing joy to every reader. They are utterly perfect for young readers.
Bravo!
Bravo!
June 16, 2025
This is the kind of gentle book that I don't think young readers will pick up on their own, but it will make a great family read aloud. The pictures and the three simple stories will hold the attention of the youngest listeners while slightly older ones will laugh as they watch the two creatures navigate their friendship. The unanswered question about the secret of happiness will invite discussion. Recommended for ages 3-8.
Review based on a digital review copy from the publisher.
Review based on a digital review copy from the publisher.
September 17, 2024
Great book about a mouse named mouse and a mole named mole. The illustrations were great. The words and the stories flowed really well!
November 14, 2025
This is the second title in this series I have read. I always love the stories the English authors and illustrators can create using small creatures and make them have human attributes, a good way for we humans to see our pluses and minuses. The three stories in this title show the everyday irritations of two friends living together. Love James Mayhew’s illustrations for this series.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews