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Winner of theKiekeboekprijs 2003Best Pre-school Book |
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Find out about the other Mole and Friends books |
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NEW EDITION! |
Illustrated by Vanessa Cabban
Mole thinks the moon is the most beautiful thing he has ever seen, and he wants it. But as Rabbit, Hedgehog and Squirrel remind him, some things are not as simple - or as close - as they look!
"Imaginative picture layout is the perfect counterpoint to the lyrical text - a must read for younger children."
CAROUSEL
"Gentle, appealing illustrations and great read-aloud text"
Gwynneth Bailey, BOOKS FOR KEEPS
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UK Paperback • ISBN-10: 1406373044 • ISBN-13: 978-1406373042
UK Hardcover • ISBN-10: 0744575524 • ISBN-13: 9780744575521
UK Paperback & DVD •ISBN-10: 1406323969 • ISBN-13: 9781406323962
UK Board Book • ISBN-10: 1844287947 • ISBN-13: 9781844287949
UK Board Book & Soft Toy • ISBN-10: 1844287963 • ISBN-13: 97-1844287963
UK Mini Paperback • ISBN-10: 140630025X • ISBN-13: 9781406300253
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US Hardcover • ISBN-10: 0763615773 • ISBN-13: 978-0763615772
US Board Book • ISBN-10: 0763642673 • ISBN-13: 978-0763642679
Click here for details of foreign language editions
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Kiekeboekprijs 2003
*Our Dutch publishers were amazed that Vanessa and I had never met and I suspect that this would come as a surprise to many people. However most UK picture books are produced without the author and illustrator ever communicating directly with each other. |
This book is forMax,for the use |
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Illustrations © 2001 Vanessa Cabban. Reproduced by permission of Walker Books Ltd., London .

"Hot diggety!" exclaims plump Mole when he sees the full moon for what is apparently the first time. And indeed, the moon is at its most fetching, glowing in the cobalt-blue night sky "like a bright silver coin." Mole spends the balance of the book engaged in sweetly comic attempts to pry the moon out of the sky. His woodland pals try to warn him off the plan, each one pointing out, "It's not as close as it looks." But that doesn't stop Mole from trying to leap for it, poke it, knock it down with acorns or simply grab it from a high tree branch. Finally, it dawns on him: the moon's beauty lies in the fact that everyone can enjoy it (and besides, Mole now notes sagely, "It's NOT as close as it looks!").
Author and artist seem ideally paired for this well-travelled but sweet tale. In Emmett's unadorned, gentle prose, Mole never seems the least bit avaricious he's just genuinely enchanted by the moon's ethereal beauty. As was true in her Down in the Woods at Sleepytime, Cabban's creatures radiate genuine affection for one another. Keeping the detailing in her settings to a minimum there's just enough to provide a proper stage for Mole's pratfalls - Cabban lets the luminescence of the sky and moon hold center stage. It's easy to see why Mole is so thoroughly captivated. Ages 3-6.
There is no denying the sleep-inducing qualities of Emmett's bedtime tale, so tender and delicate it could be the Platonic ideal for gentleness, while Cabban's illustrations add the softness of a night warmed by moonlight ... A sweet lesson in not getting what you want, yet getting what you need.
A wonderful re-working of a classic tale ... There are noisy bits and some delightful repetitive phrases just right for joining in. The strong, rhythmic and sure-footed text is complemented by warm and atmospheric illustrations.
Roy Apps, CAROUSEL
Mole's expressive 'Hot-diggerty!' is a memorable opening to this endearing book where text and pictures are admirably matched ... There is a lot to talk about in this book with its gentle, appealing illustrations and great read-aloud text. It is just right for young children becoming more familiar with the world around them.
Gwynneth Bailey, BOOKS FOR KEEPS
This funny fable about an overreaching little mole delivers a reassuring moral for contemporary kids who want "the moon ... The comical, thought-provoking story gets a lift from Cabban's sweet art, which occasionally uses vertical panels to create a great cartoon effect.
Connie Fletcher, BOOKLIST
This delightful, simple story for 3 - 6 year-olds, with plenty of repetition and other opportunities for participation, lends itself well to drama, class assembly and other story-sharing situations. The language feels very 'natural', as if the story is being told rather than read ... Beautifully bold illustrations cover the whole page, so they can be easily seen by group audiences or enjoyed by individuals.
Natalie Ford, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION for the TEACHING of ENGLISH
Dark blue skies and a glowing moon exude peace and serenity in this sweet book. Preschoolers will sympathize with Mole's attempts and sigh with contentment when they realize he has not ruined the treasure. The onomatopoeia scattered throughout makes this an appealing read-aloud. A pleasant, quiet offering
Anne Knickerbocker, SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
Jonathan Emmett and Vanessa Cabban have created one of my favourite books this year: "Bringing Down the Moon".
Jill Johnson Keeney, THE COURIER JOURNAL
With a lovely ending, this is a tale that will definitely charm readers of all ages.
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW
A beautifully illustrated tale ... This is bedtime story material at it's best and the cover has a mole on the front poking a stick at the moon - what more could you possible want?
Jamie Hancock, OTTAKAR'S
The opening to this story is breathtaking in its simplicity ... The illustrations and the text are perfectly paired resulting in a most enjoyable, informative and entertaining read. A pure joy to read aloud as the use of language has been carefully and lovingly thought through, creating the most adorable little character who cannot fail but to evoke warmth and recognition in the young reader.
Rhian Tracey, TOP READS
Superbly written, this lovely bedtime tale should entrance.
Lee Littlewood, KID'S HOME LIBRARY
A magical story that lovingly emphasises the innocence of the young ... Imaginative picture layout is the perfect counterpoint to the lyrical text - a must read for younger children.
Elizabeth Keell, CAROUSEL
This is a beautiful, charming tale - a perfect bedtime story ... It’s a lovely tale and nicely illustrated.
Tina Hene, FAMILIES ONLINE

Language |
Title |
Translator |
Publisher |
Hardcover ISBN |
Paperback ISBN |
Other ISBN |
BUY at Amazon |
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Catalan |
El talp i la lluna rebonica |
Antoni Cossimo |
Beascoa |
8448813448 |
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China |
小鼹鼠 摘月亮 |
卢芳 |
Beijing Yunaliu Classic Culture Ltd |
9787221098214(Part of a 4 paperback set of the first 4 Mole books) |
Paperback |
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Danish |
Mulle og Månen |
Ilse M. Haugaard |
Sesam |
8711134925 |
||||
Dutch |
Ik wil de maan* |
Annelies Jorna |
Van Goor |
9000034035 |
Gift Pack(Board Book&Mole Soft Toy)900003597X |
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Finnish |
Myyrä Tahtoo Kuun |
Raija Viitanen |
Mäkelä |
9518821658 |
||||
French |
Une Taupe au Clair de Lune |
Christophe Tranchant |
Mijade |
2871423628 |
Paperback |
|||
Frisian |
Mol wol de moanne ha |
Hermien van der Meer |
Afûk |
9062736009 |
||||
Gaelic |
A' Glusad na Gealaich |
Norma Nicleòid |
Acair |
086152733X |
Paperback |
|||
German |
Fang den Mond kleiner Molle |
Matthias Mala |
arsEdition |
3760713351 |
Hardcover |
|||
Was leuchtet in der Nacht? |
Peter Ahorner |
Annette Betz |
9783219115475 |
Hardcover |
||||
Greek |
Θα κατεβάσω το φεγγάρι! |
Άννα Παπασταύρου |
Αίσωπος |
9608240034 |
||||
Hebrew |
להוריד את הירח |
אירית ארב |
Kinneret |
9655172139 |
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Hungarian |
Ide nekem a Holdat! |
Parnaki Ágnes |
Naphegy Kiadó |
9789638728128 |
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Italian |
Voglio prendere la luna! |
Nord-Sud |
Hardback & DVD9788882038731 |
Hardcover |
||||
Japanese |
ぼく、おつきさまがほしいんだ |
おびか ゆうこ |
Tokuma Shoten(BFC) |
9784198615826 |
Hardcover |
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Korean |
달따고 싶어 |
Moonjin |
8972608211 |
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Polish |
Jak ztapac ksiezyc |
Katazzynz Domanska |
Egmont |
8323788928 |
||||
Portuguese |
Eu Quero a Lua |
Presença |
9789722358842 |
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Slovenian |
Kako je Krtek Klatil Luno |
Metka Bartol |
Ucila |
9612333769 |
||||
Spanish (Castilian) |
Bajar la luna del cielo |
Mireia Ibáñez |
Beascoa |
844881343X |
Hardcover |
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Swedish |
Mullvaden och Månen |
Ulrika Berg |
Sjöstrands Förlag |
9175745291 |