Little Mole’s Wish

“I just moved here. I don’t have any friends,” Little Mole tells a snowball he finds as he trudges to the bus stop one winter afternoon. When the bus driver won’t let the snowball aboard—“Snow is just snow. It’ll melt”—Little Mole sculpts it into the shape of a large, cuddly bear. When the next driver refuses to let them on, Little Mole refines his work, giving the bear a knapsack like his own and sharing his hat. As they wait, Little Mole wishes on a shooting star in the glowing sky. Late that evening, a friendly bus driver finally takes them home—but when Little Mole awakes at his stop, his friend is gone, prompting questions about the snowbear’s whereabouts. Making his U.S. debut, Korean creator Kim incorporates delicate, closely worked hatching in his mixed-media artwork, giving the scenes a gentle, furry feel. Little Mole and his friend have stubby legs and sweet, puzzled expressions; inside the bus, dozing passengers—a bear cuddling a lighted tree; a long, snoozy snake—provide quiet companionship. Little Mole’s simple faith in his new friend makes him a beguiling character, and his snow-covered world is a warm and cozy place. Ages 3–7. [em](Nov.) [/em]