Mouse and Mole

Mouse and Mole: Fine Feathered Friends

By Wong Herbert Yee

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009

45 pages 

Animal Fantasy

          Mouse and Mole: Fine Feathered Friends tells of the adventures of Mouse and Mole. One day they decide they want to go bird-watching and create books about the birds they see. As they go on their walk, they discover all the birds are running away from them. After thinking it is because the birds are afraid of moles and mice, the friends decide to creatively dress up like birds and build a nest. While sitting in the nest, they see many birds and are able to work on their books. After reviewing their material, Mole and Mouse discover they each have a unique talent and work together to create one book using Mole's pictures and Mouse's poems. 

          Yee's illustrations are very simple and small while still providing enough information to help tell the story. He uses gouache and pencil to create his images. This book is one of at least four books and are a great transition to chapter books. 

          This book would be very useful when discussing brainstorming. Every time Mouse and Mole come across a problem they brainstorm to come up with a solution. They try out ideas, for example sewing together the bird suits, and find ways to improve where needed, for example gluing on the feathers. This book would also be a great accompaniment to writing one's own storybook. it gives step-by-step instructions on how to write a book and doing so would be a great follow up to the story. This book could also be used when talking about birds, the different types, their songs, and their nests. Finally, this story could be used when talking about individual gifts each of us have. We all have something we are good at and things we are not so good at. When we use everyone's gifts and work together, we can produce even better results.