The Complete Adventures of the Mole Sisters: Ten Stories. Roslyn Schwartz. Toronto, ON: Annick Press, 2004. 167 pp., cloth, $24.95. ISBN 1-55037-883-X. Subject Heading: Moles (Animals)-Juvenile fiction. Preschool-kindergarten / Ages 3-5. Review by Lorraine Douglas. **** /4

excerpt:

The world is a wonderful place and anything can happen on a beautiful moonlit night. “La bella luna,” sang the mole sisters in Italian and gazed up at the night sky.

Roslyn Schwartz’s cozy and popular stories about the Mole Sisters are best sellers in Canada and are known around the world as they are available in seven foreign editions. This new compilation has ten stories bound up in an attractive new format. The stories are The Mole Sisters and the Rainy Day, The Mole Sisters and the Piece of Moss, The Mole Sisters and the Busy Bees, The Mole Sisters and the Wavy Wheat, The Mole Sisters and the Moonlit Night, The Mole Sisters and the Blue Egg, The Mole Sisters and the Cool Breeze, The Mole Sisters and the Question, The Mole Sisters and the Fairy Ring, and The Mole Sisters and the Way Home.

     In the original editions, there was one illustration on each page, but in this bind up there are two images on each page which gives a more panoramic view of the quiet action. The illustrations are the same as the originals with their softly tinted coloured pencil drawings of the pink-nosed sisters adorning the small square illustrations. All of the stories have the flavour of Arnold Lobel’s very reassuring “Frog and Toad” books or Paulette Bourgeois’ “Franklin” stories in that small problems are not impossible if you have the help of a friend or sibling. The Mole Sisters are charming in their sweetness, puckish optimism and humourous sense of adventure.

     This title is a great value and comes at a time when worn library copies probably need replacement. It is also a good purchase for home libraries for reading at bedtime or at anytime a comforting and gentle story is needed.

Highly Recommended.

Lorraine is a Winnipeg artist and writer. She was the Administrative Coordinator for Youth Services for the Winnipeg Public Library and worked in children’s services for over 25 years.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

Hosted by the University of Manitoba.

NEXT REVIEW |TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - April 15, 2005.

AUTHORS | TITLES | MEDIA REVIEWS | PROFILES | BACK ISSUES | SEARCH | CMARCHIVE | HOME