Member Reviews

Three large format paperbacks showing optical issues the young might face as narratives starring our titular Mole – both as herself, and as Super Mole, her powered alter ego. Misty Mole Gets New Glasses (9781911107798), has her struggling to see friends, obstacles, even the board at school – and her paintings are coming out a bit on the Monet side, to say the least. Therefore the story includes every beat of her having her first eye check-up courtesy Ellie Eagle, and while we're reassured about the process we also see the boost in activity and confidence the glasses bring.

Here, Misty and the Big Switch-Off (9781911107811) is one of the sequels to that, as she is wearing the glasses and happily painting again. But nobody is about – all her friends are stuck with their eyes focused on their phones, or tablets, or whatevers. The playground is empty, the library is underused. But when everyone whinges about dodgy eye health, Ellie Eagle is on hand to suggest outdoors life, board games, and human interaction, rather than screen-caused myopia. Some of the woodland's young critters might need some tough persuasion, however…

Misty and the Eating Adventure (9781911107835), the third and so far final piece, is the less expected entrant, as Misty's gran turns up for a stay, scoffs a molehill of snacks and wonders why her eyes are poorly. An unlikely lesson in nutrition follows, as the two get shown what provides vitamins A and C, zinc and omega oils that all help keep eyes younger. Yes, once we get over the idea of moles eating fish we see these for what they are – very well done, and very well-intentioned lessons, with the colours and the cutesiness to get us voluntarily reading these, and not just having them between our hands because we've been told to. They're well-pitched for those still reading picture books, with large print, alliterative animals galore and very easy vocab. If you know you need a book like any of these three, I'd suggest the set as a strong investment – a healthy four stars everywhere you turn, here.

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I thought that this book was good and we enjoyed the story and it was great to be able to catch up with Misty Mole and her friends.

The book had a good focus on the amount of screen time that some children have and the perils of that which can affect their eye sight as well, a good point as I know my daughter has said that quite a few children in her class spend most of their time outside of school on tablets, watching tv and playing on game consoles – would be a great book for primary schools

It is 3.5 stars from me for this one, rounded up to 4 stars for Goodreads and Amazon – we enjoyed it!

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