Mole and the baby bird

Mole finds and lovingly cares for a wounded baby bird. As the bird recovers, Mole's mother explains that soon the bird will fly. But Mole wants to keep the bird, so he builds it a cage. Then, one beautifully clear day, Grandad takes Mole for a walk to the top of a high hill where Mole can feel the wind whipping around him. "I'm flying!" he says. When Mole returns home, he looks at the caged baby bird, finally understands that birds are meant to fly, and sets his baby bird free.

The extraordinary team of author Marjorie Newman and illustrator Patrick Benson has created a book that speaks to the delicate nature of love and freedom. This is a book for the ages, and one to treasure for a lifetime.

Author Notes

Marjorie Newman began writing stories as early as age seven and has since published about 90 books for children.

Patrick Benson was born in 1956 and was educated at Eton. He has illustrated over 24 titles including The Little Boat by Kathy Henderson, which won the 1995 Kurt Maschler Award, was short-listed for the 1995 Smarties Book Prize and was Highly Commended for the 1995 Kate Greenaway Medal. He is also the illustrator of the runaway bestseller, Owl Babies .

Reviews (2)

School Library Journal Review

K-Gr 2-Little Mole finds a baby bird that has fallen out of its nest and, when no help arrives, takes it home. Despite warnings from his mother that the bird might not live, it thrives under Mole's care. Afraid that the bird will fly away, he builds a sturdy cage for it, even though his parents tell him that his pet should be free. Of course, the captive becomes despondent in spite of the attention and loving care Mole gives it, and after an outing with Grandad, the youngster frees the bird. The message of making others happy through a selfless act and the true meaning of love comes across gently, and responsibility in dealing with wild animals is clearly presented. The endearing characters have both authenticity and appeal, and the countryside is vast yet delicately and precisely drawn. The home is cozy and warm in contrast to the hillside with its wild freedom and the glory of the forest. A lovely book that's easy enough for beginning readers.-Marlene Gawron, Orange County Library, Orlando, FL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Publisher's Weekly Review

In its new form, Marjorie Newman's Mole and the Baby Bird, illus. by Patrick Benson, a gentle story of a mole and the bird he cares for, is just right for littlest hands. PW wrote, "With a quietly resonating tone, Newman tackles heart-tugging issues-the responsibilities of pet care, the pain of loss, respect for the natural world-that many parents will find familiar." (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Available:*

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

Summary

Author Notes

Reviews (2)

School Library Journal Review

Publisher's Weekly Review