Perfect Picture Book Friday - Mole Music

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

The Thanksgiving Contest is now officially closed.  We got WAY more entries than for the Halloweensie Contest, and they're all so imaginative and fun that my assistant judge and I are going to have our work cut out for us selecting three finalists.  But never fear - we will do it even if we have to print them out, throw them on the living room floor and see which three the dogs step on first :)  The finalists will be up for you to vote on Monday.  And now for Perfect Picture Books (and I'm obviously behind this morning because I see at least three people have already posted theirs :))

Mole Music

written and illustrated by David McPhail

Henry Holt & Co, March 1999, Fiction

Suitable for:  Preschool - Grade 2 (ages 4-8)

Themes/Topics:  how music makes us feel, power of music to harmonize and heal, practice makes perfect, sometimes we don't even realize how our actions may effect others.

Opening and brief synopsis:  "Mole lived all alone underground.  He spent his days digging tunnels.  At night he ate his supper in front of the TV and then went to bed.  Mole liked his life, but lately he had begun to feel there was something missing."  Mole longs to create beautiful music, but little does he know the effect his music will have on others.

Links to resources:  This story is perfect for a discussion of how music makes us feel, the power of music to harmonize and heal, as well as the idea that it takes practice to become good at something.  Activity Guide, Discussion questions, Supplemental Lesson Plan (Film)

Why I Like This Book:  One story is told in words, but there is a whole other story shown in the illustrations.  Mole works hard learning to play the violin.  He does it for himself, with no thought of trying to impress anyone.  He achieves his goal  - and so much more without ever being aware of it.  His simple goodness and desire to make something beautiful bring more beauty to the world than he knows.
For more books with resources please visit Perfect Picture Books!

And now, so that you don't all go into a depression because Uncle Spike finished ALL the pumpkin pie and little Jimmy made the most awful grape juice stain on your favorite table cloth and how will you ever get it out and it's Black Friday and you have so much shopping to do and the mall is a horror at this time of year etc, I will lift your spirits by telling you that on Monday - yes, only a couple days away! - I will have a fun little surprise for you.  I hope you'll like it!  So keep your chin up as you jockey for parking spaces and plow through the crowds - more fun is coming :)

Have a happy weekend!

(Please add you Perfect Picture Books to the link list below.)