Mole's Sunrise

Mole cannot see, but wants to share in the beauty of the sunrise. He is able to do this with the sensitive help of Vole and his other friends – Rabbit, Squirrel and Sparrow. The atmospheric illustrations capture the misty loveliness of the early morning in the countryside. But, right from the beginning of the story, children are shown the power of writing to explain experience that cannot be seen. Mole ‘felt the damp mist on his fur’, ‘heard the crackle of leaves under his feet’ and could ‘smell the lake’. The animals also cleverly translate what can be seen to what can be felt or heard. When the sun first peeps over the lake Vole likens it to the soft yoke of a fried egg, like the one Mole had for breakfast. Then, free of the lake, Mole’s friends say that the sun has made the clouds like raspberry ice cream with blueberries and ‘swirled with steaming custard’. Hot custard is another favourite of Mole’s. As it rises higher, the sun becomes like the shiny gold button on Mole’s waistcoat. Then it seems to melt the clouds making them soft and fluffy, like Sparrow’s soft feathers which Mole strokes. Deceptively simple, this book is ideal to read at home or at nursery school as it teaches about the senses and about friendship and empathy. As they read or listen, young children will understand that Mole has shared in the experience of the sunrise, not through his eyes but with his mind.