The Mole and the Sunglasses by Juliana Sheikh
Mr. Mole has a conundrum. His underground tunnel has flooded with rain, and now his bed of leaves is all soggy. He needs to wriggle up to the surface for new supplies — but Mr. Mole doesn’t have a very good sense of direction! In The Mole and the Sunglasses (Wordzworth Publishing), we follow Mr. Mole as his nose takes him on a spontaneous journey through the countryside he calls his home.
Written by Juliana Sheikh and illustrated by Dunja Pantic, The Mole and the Sunglasses is a playful look at the wild critters that live just outside our door. Throughout the story, we follow Mr. Mole as he tries to find his way aboveground to gather some new leaves for his bedding. He attempts to reach a local farm belonging to a child named Jac and his mum, who have always treated Mr. Mole kindly. Unfortunately for Mr. Mole, he gets confused and ends up on the property of a grumpy old farmer named Finn. After being chased off by Farmer Finn’s sheepdog, Mr. Mole is desperate to reach Jac and his mum for help — but by the time he reaches the surface, the sun is shining far too brightly for his little eyes. How will Mr. Mole find his way now?
Author Juliana Sheikh skillfully weaves educational material in this charming children’s tale. Much of Mr. Mole’s struggles in this story relate to his experiences as a mole. Since his eyes are small and accustomed to the dark of his underground tunnel, Mr. Mole has to use his nose to navigate. He sweeps his powerful paws back and forth, carving tunnels through the soil. Juliana Sheikh even includes a helpful infographic at the end of the book, full of whimsical illustrations of Mr. Mole’s escapades, which helps young readers learn about moles and their way of life.
The book also teaches children about how animals help keep nature in balance and are a necessary part of the ecosystem. While Farmer Finn is angry at Mr. Mole for digging holes in his field, Jac and his mum understand that Mr. Mole helps their farm by nibbling on the bugs that would eat away at their crops. Once found by Jac and his mum, Mr. Mole is gifted with a pair of tiny sunglasses, to help him see in the bright light of the afternoon. As the family helps Mr. Mole find his way to safety, Sheikh reminds us that “working in harmony with nature always gives the best rewards.”
The Mole and the Sunglasses teaches us that humans have to learn to share the earth with animals, and treat them with respect. We can be like Farmer Finn, driving them off of our land and labelling them as pests. Or we can have compassion for wild animals, and help take care of the nature around us.
