Morris the mole by Nikki Greenberg

Allen and Unwin, 2018. ISBN 9781760630829
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Moles, Animals, Tunnelling, Adventure. Morris the mole simply loves to tunnel. And readers following his exploits will laugh with him as he finds the most unexpected of things in the tunnels he digs. Told in rhyming couplets, children will have a whole heap of fun predicting the word that rhymes to complete the line, probably learning some of the ones they like, and certainly learning to recognise alliteration as they read.
Morris extols the virtues of being underground as he sashays with his shovel, finds rich treasures, collects worms for desert and eventually digging a hole to get out into the fresh air, but in doing so, wrecks the mouse's birthday party by coming out exactly where the cake has been set upon the ground. The next time he pops up he wrecks the rabbits' garden, and then finally he finds something he cannot dig through. But will our hero give up? Never, and he digs through the bottom concrete layer of something quite unexpected. And just like Mr Toad from The Wind in the Willows finds another avenue for his adventurous spirit.
Readers will have gales of fun with Morris, watching his antics, digging with him as he comes up in the most surprising of places, causing all sorts of mayhem. And perhaps finding out more about moles in the classroom.
A book with lots of fun, and lively illustrations to complement the tale.
Fran Knight