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Summary
Summary
Swish. Swish. Swish... Thwack! Bear and Mole are stepping up to the plate for summer baseball season--but what happens when Mole struggles to hit the ball?
Finally, summer is here! Baseball-loving Mole suits up and hustles to the baseball diamond for a game with his best friend Bear. Mole is ready to play, and he's swinging for the fences! Swish. Swish. Swish. It's a swing and... a miss?
Mole measures, wishes, grits his teeth, and swings--still, it's like he can't even see the plate! But with the gentle support of his friend Bear, lots of patience, and a new pair of glasses, Mole is ready to play all summer long.
Will Hillenbrand's Bear and Mole series is the perfect choice for storytime sharing or reading aloud. Strong verbs, repetitive phrases, and fun-to-read sounds keep young listeners and readers engaged with the story, while the gentle illustrations add detail and quiet humor. This tender yet joyful homage to the endless excitement of summer and meaningful time with friends from an award winning author-illustrator is sure to be a home run with readers.
Don't miss the other Bear and Mole titles, including Spring is Here, Off We Go!, All for a Dime, Kite Day, and First Star !
Reviews (1)
Kirkus Review
Mole is up to bat! Summer means baseball, and these animals--whom readers may recognize from previous Bear and Mole books--are ready to play. Mole gets his bat out of its bag, rubs dirt on the handle, tugs on his cap, and heads to the baseball diamond, ready to hit a home run! "You're a natural," encourages Bear. But the Ump has some doubts and places a ball on a tee for Mole. Mole takes his first swing…and misses. Strike one! Bear offers some advice, and Mole tries again. Strike two! The Ump lends Mole a pair of glasses, and this time, the ball travels "UP-UP-UP" till it's "GOING, GOING, GONE!" Mole runs the bases backward for "an opposite direction home run." The animals celebrate a good game with ice cream and high-fives. With minimal text (which budding readers can attempt), this is a charming tale. Engaging use of sound effects makes the book a good option for read-alouds. Hillenbrand's art often dominates the page with dramatic depictions of movement, while strong shading and textures elevate the images. The overall roundness of the cast (and the diminutive curves of the smaller animals) makes them endearing. Youngsters feeling a bit nervous to step up to the plate will take heart from Mole's journey: Though he has a rocky beginning, he's supported by BFF Bear each step of the way. A winsome, sporty tale, especially resonant for athletic newbies.(Picture book. 3-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.