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David McPhail
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Mole Music (Reading Rainbow Books) Paperback – Picture Book, October 1, 2001

by David McPhail (Author, Illustrator)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 170 ratings
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A spiritual story about the far-reaching effects of private actions.

Mole has always led a simple life, but lately he feels something is missing. When he first hears someone playing a violin, Mole realizes that he longs to make beautiful music, too.

Through practice and patience, Mole learns to play. And even though he plays alone, in the privacy of his underground home, his music has an effect on others that is more magical than Mole will ever know.

Previous page
  1. Reading age
    4 - 7 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool and up
  5. Lexile measure
    AD540L
  6. Dimensions
    8.01 x 0.09 x 9.8 inches
  7. Publisher
    Square Fish
  8. Publication date
    October 1, 2001
  9. ISBN-10
    0805067663
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0805067668
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a starred review, PW said, "McPhail's delicate watercolor-and-ink paintings work seamlessly in tandem with the words to deliver a truly resonant message: that music can change the world." Ages 4-8.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

“The beloved Mole will easily win the affections of readers and inspire young hopes for a better world.” ―Kirkus Reviews, pointer

“McPhail's delicate watercolor-and-ink paintings work seamlessly in tandem with the words to deliver a truly resonant message: that music can change the world.” ―Publishers Weekly, starred review

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Square Fish; First Edition (October 1, 2001)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0805067663
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0805067668
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 - 7 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ AD540L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.01 x 0.09 x 9.8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 170 ratings

About the author

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David McPhail

David McPhail

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David was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, and attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. While there, he began illustrating. His first book was The RUNJUMPBUMB Book by Robert Brooks – published by Little Brown and Company in 1971. Later that year, the first of his own stories was published by Addison-Wesley Press, titled In the Summer I Go Fishing. David has continued to write and illustrate throughout his life and there are now well over 200 books with his name on them.

McPhail's professional recognition includes a New York Times Best Illustrated Books honor for Edward and the Pirates, a Boston Globe/Horn Book Honor, a Children's Choice Award, a Parents' Choice Award, a Children's Booksellers Choices Award, a Best Books of the Year award from Publishers Weekly for Mole Music, and many state awards.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
170 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

JayandJenni
5.0 out of 5 stars Simple and full of depth...
Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2018
Verified Purchase
We have owned this book for a few weeks now, and every time I read it to the children, it gets richer. The words tell a simple story, and the illustrations take those words and make a visual feast or little ones with layers and layers of meaning. (The only other book I have found does this at the same level is A Tree in a Forest by Jan Thornhill.) My children love the book (I think my boys,ages 2 and 7, the most), and my 7-year old looks and looks at the illustrations. There are so many living ideas to discuss - perseverance, beauty, life, joy, peace... This is a wonderful, poignant book for those willing to really look.
2 people found this helpful
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ACF
5.0 out of 5 stars The best children's book ever written
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2022
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I love this book, it nearly disintegrated I read it so much to my kids. Get it as gifts for other little ones. Can't say enough good things. Concise and beautiful.
One person found this helpful
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K. Basoco
5.0 out of 5 stars can inspire others and bring them peace and joy when we aren't even paying attention
Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2015
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Mole Music is one of the books featured in the Reading Rainbow program about the tragic events that took place in New York on 911. It is a book of hope in the realization that we are not alone and that our talents, no matter how we might diminish their value, can inspire others and bring them peace and joy when we aren't even paying attention. My students love reading this book. It has an AR level and associated quiz, but more importantly it helps my students, most of whom are from depressed economic homes, understand their unique talents and how valuable they are in society.
6 people found this helpful
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Ken
5.0 out of 5 stars My son loves this book!
Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2018
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My son loves this book.

Mole Music is a mellow story with a few positive undertones. The basic messages are about the importance of practice and not giving up, and the power of music.

There is also a bit of an indication that we don't always understand the impact that we have on the world around us.
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Michele C.
5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for a young violin player
Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2020
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This book is so sweet! My daughter loves it and can appreciate how hard mole works to improve with practice as she is learning violin too!
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Margaret Mendelson
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this story
Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2014
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Love this story. It's so sweet and a good lesson for children. I'm a music teacher and I read this to my younger students.

It's about a mole who is inspired to take up the violin. He's not very good at first, but he keeps practicing over the years and he gets better.
He's a humble mole, living a simple lifestyle underground, and while his passion for music and artistry grow, little does he know the enjoyment he brings to those passing above him on the ground.
One person found this helpful
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Scott Gembola
5.0 out of 5 stars My granddaughter was so excited
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2021
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My granddaughter loves this book. She requested it, after borrowing it from the library.
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Penina Finger
4.0 out of 5 stars We love this book! But it arrived crumpled ':-(
Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2019
Verified Purchase
We ordered Mole Music for an aspiring children's author friend because it is one of our all time family favorites. My son is grown, yet it remains in my personal library! I highly recommend it. If it had not been so close to the holiday, we would have returned the copy we received, it was so crumpled when it arrived. We were able to rescue the gift giving moment by adding another book, but it was a disappointing experience.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Suzie G
5.0 out of 5 stars Birthday gift
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 24, 2021
Verified Purchase
Lovely story and granddaughter loves it
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Susan Park
5.0 out of 5 stars Nice story
Reviewed in Canada on April 28, 2019
Verified Purchase
Love the story. Can be used for a drama or music classroom.
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Die Vorleserin
5.0 out of 5 stars Von der Freude, an sich zu arbeiten
Reviewed in Germany on July 16, 2016
Verified Purchase
Dieses kleine Heft ist in unserem Hause immer wieder wochenlang ein Dauerbrenner (meine Söhne sind 5 und 3 Jahre alt).
Eine wundervolle Geschichte über einen Maulwurf, der sich eines Tages, nachdem er schon bemerkt hatte, dass seinem Leben etwas fehlt, in das Geigenspiel eines Mannes im Fernsehen verliebt. Deshalb bestellt er sich eine Geige und spielt drauflos, obwohl er anfänglich statt wundervoller Musik der Geige nur ein "schreckliches Quietschen" entlocken kann.
Der Maulwurf kämpft sich aber durch diese anfänglichen Schwierigkeiten des Geigenspiels und wird nach jahrelangem Üben so gut, dass er, ohne dies zu ahnen, die Herzen der Menschen, die über ihm leben, erreicht und verändert. Sie hören das Spiel durch die Blätter der Eiche, die mit seinem Geigenkönnen stetig wächst und zu einem großen, imposanten Baum wird, der eben diese Geigenmusik durch seine Wurzel transportiert.
Dieses Buch gibt jedem Kind die Gewissheit mit auf den Weg, dass jeder, der das tut, was ihn mit ganzem Herzen gefangen nimmt, auch andere damit inspirieren kann. Selbst, wenn ihm das nicht bewusst wird. Dass Gutes und Schönes die Welt verändert. Dass es sich lohnt, für seine Träume zu kämpfen und sich aus seiner Bequemlichkeit heraus zu bewegen, um mit alten Gewohnheiten (hier dem Fernsehen) zu brechen.
Die Geschichte erzählt viele Geschichten nebenher.
Die der Eichel, die vom Eichhörnchen nicht gefressen wird, sondern zu einem großen Baum wird, nachdem er erst unter den kläglichen Anfängen des Maulwurfs fast wieder eingeht (eine Art Blitz fährt von der Geige aus in den armen kleinen Baum).
Die des Fernsehers, der erst jeden Abend genutzt, dann aber verstaubt und voller Spinnenweben ist und schließlich in einem der Maulwurfsgänge "entsorgt" wird.
Die der Menschen, die um diesen Baum und damit den Maulwurf herum, leben.
Und natürlich die des Maulwurfs, der durch seine Musik glücklicher wurde, als er es jemals gewesen war.
Ein wundervolles Buch, das auch nicht allzu viele Englischkenntnisse erfordert. Obwohl es mir eigentlich lieber wäre, ich hätte einmal die deutsche Version niedergeschrieben, damit ich nicht immer wieder an den gleichen Stellen hänge und mich frage, wie habe ich das beim letzten Mal übersetzt?
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julia
5.0 out of 5 stars a beautiful story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 30, 2012
Verified Purchase
I brought this for my Godson who was considering giving up the Violin. I thought it a beautiful story, and hope he might come back to his playing at a later date. Great for any child who plays (any) instruments.
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