Review Detail

Mole loved going out for strolls, but unfortunately for him, thunder hit when he was out and caused him to run and hide in his burrow. Now Mole never wants to leave the safety of his house, no matter how persistent his friends are that they will keep him safe and be there should anything happen. What will it take to get Mole out of his burrow? Will his friends be able to come up with a solution that is greater than the fear mole has of the outside?

What I Liked: The message of this book is great to show children how fear can sometimes hold you back from good things and how to conquer your fear. It was interesting and helpful to see that Mole was willing to put aside his fear when he believed that others were in danger. This moment was powerful because oftentimes we do things without thinking, even when we are scared. After all, others may need us to, and this moment helps to show Mole how much his friends care about him. This moment culminates in something special for Mole because he learns that his friends will support him and that they remember things about him that he forgot due to the fear.

The book is filled with cute illustrations that are bright and colorful while keeping the animals realistic. It was fascinating to see the different animals and their interactions with Mole and the various things they were trying to convince Mole to come out for. There are some pages in which the book needs to be flipped 90 degrees to read, which helps keep young readers’ attention. The text contrasts well with the background, and there is a clear distinction as to who is speaking.

Final Verdict: Come Back Out, Mole! is a delightful tale about courage and friendship, and how you might miss out on something if you keep harboring on the what-ifs of life. Children ages 3 and up will enjoy this book, and adults will enjoy how this book can help explain anxiety and nerves, and highlight that while it's okay to be nervous or scared, there are times when that fear is not necessary. This book can also help showcase the things that you might miss because you are too busy worrying about what could happen, and you forget about what is actually happening.