We have read a couple ‘Mouse & Mole’ by Joyce Dunbar books and they are all cute stories. Mouse and Mole are the greatest of friends who go through life lessons that younger elementary students will understand. My younger kiddos (preschool) didn’t quite catch the life lesson being told between the lines, but they still enjoyed listening to the story and following along to the cute illustrations James Mayhew creates for the story.

Thank you NetGalley, Star Bright Books publishing, and Joyce Dunbar for an eARC copy of ‘Mouse & Mole: The Secret of Happiness.

Mouse and Mole are the best of friends and we love the different everyday adventures they enjoy. The books include three, beautifully illustrated short stories that are perfect for bridging the gap between picture books and longer chapter books.

We love the whimsical illustrations and the gentle pace of the stories which include a cast of woodland animals – Owl, Hare, Rabbit, Rat and Hedgehog. Simple everyday events and experiences are turned into discussions and adventures as Mouse and Mole enjoy each other’s company through experiences that will be familiar to young readers.

We always love to see fictional characters read and love the ending of A Good Read. This Way and That made us laugh as Mole tries to go for a walk without having to run errands! The Secret of Happiness does a fabulous job of showing how waking up early and lack of sleep can cause bad moods and we love the kindness of the woodland animals as they try and help Mole.

These heartwarming adventures would make a great addition to a Reception or Key Stage One classroom. The stories can be used to stimulate discussions about friendship, kindness and community spirit and could also inspire research into different woodland animals.

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.

I received an ARC of this children's book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a wonderful book. The pictures are adorable. The story is fantastic too!

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for this advance readers copy in exchange for my honest feedback. This book is part of a series of children’s books about the friendship between an unlikely pair a mouse and a mole. In this book we learn that happiness can mean different things or ideas. The illustrations are just beautiful and flow very nicely with the story.

This was such a cute and short illustrated book for young kids. I expected it to be one book with a plot, but it was actually a few short stories put together that seems like a perfect bedtime book. The style of the illustrations is very classic and nostalgic, and the characters were cute as well!

These are cute stories about friendship. The writing is easy to follow and the pictures are fun and colorful. I would recommend this to any young reader. It would also make a great bedtime story.

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!

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.

Another delightful Mouse and Mole book! These are so sweet, have great messages, and fun characters. The illustrations are also beautiful. My daughter isn't quite old enough for these yet, but once she is, we'll definitely be buying these to add to our home library. 5 stars!

Mouse and Mole is a collection of tales about unlikely animal companions. The illustrations are detailed and engaging, paired with more text than most picture books, would make a great book to read with a child.

A cute story about two friends learning about friendship and happiness. It’s a very sweet story and a quick one to read. There’s three stories in this book, all really good. I loved the illustration style and wished we saw more blown-up images instead of the small ones scattered through. It was more story book, less picture book. It flowed really well and was well-detailed. It makes it easier for younger audiences to understand the story. It’s an incredibly cozy story that I can’t wait to re-read this fall.

Thank you NetGalley and Starbright books for this ARC.

This is a cute book wirh wonderful art. My son and I both enjoyed the stories. My son is 3 and I would say the appropriate age would probably be more around 5yo. Still very fun

Cute volume of 3 stories about Mouse and Mole two friends who share life together and learn the secret of happiness. The stories in this book would be good bedtime reading for young children. They are humorous but also tell some good life lessons. The illustrations are also nice and I very appropriate to the stories being told.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions are my own.

I liked this book even more than the other one. This was so much fun and still the cutest thing ever. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A cozy children's book about happiness and friendship. I will be adding this one to my classroom. Highly recommend reading curled up on a rainy day under a blanket with a mug of tea. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Oh my kids absolutely LOVED this book! It was darling. The main characters were precious, and the adventures they went on were so fun.

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!

Thank you to Joyce Dunabr, Starbright books and NetGalley for an eARC of this adorable children's book! I loved how this was 3 stories in 1 book. The simple stories combined with detailed yet simple art work is just perfect for small kiddos ages 0-5. There was just enough detail in the illustrations to keep kids engaged but at the same time allowing their imagination to run wild with further details of the background.

The stories I felt were age appropriate and weren't overly "fluffy". They touched on topics like frustration in friendships in an age appropriate way and provided children new language to use in their own lives while playing with friends and playmates.

Would highly recommend adding this to any nursery school or preschool library and would be a wonderful addition to story time in child care programs!

Such a beautiful and endearing book! I love that it has 3 stories in one book, and the theme of friendship is perfect for my Pre-K students. Thank you to NetGalley and Star Bright Books for an advanced copy!