Mighty Mole and Super Soil

With her own set of superpowers, a mole navigates underground, finding food, escaping predators, raising a family, and aerating and enriching the soil around her.
This introduction to the underground ecosystem starring Mighty Mole also mentions other soil dwellers and visitors. The two-level text includes a simple narrative describing the mole’s customary activities, with a repeated refrain: “Scratch. Push. Scratch. Push.” This is accompanied by a reduced-font paragraph of further information. Both are set on double-page spreads with dramatically lit digital paintings: detailed, oversized close-ups of subterranean animals and the soil that surrounds them and occasional views of the world aboveground, the background fading into a soft-focused distance. Like other nature books produced by this publisher, this valuable title includes several pages of backmatter: further information for readers and teachers about moles and the soil they live in, as well as a quiz. A QR code on the back takes readers to the publisher’s website for still more information, including a glossary, and activities. . . .
There are few books available for young readers about these important soil-improvers, so this fills a niche. (Informational picture book. 4-8)

–Kirkus Reviews – Vicky Smith (July 2015)

In an underground world unknown to most people, moles thrive. With long, sharp claws, they move heavy objects out of the way and dig quickly through the soil. They encounter rivals for their food – earthworms, insects, snails, slugs, centipedes, and larvae – and many creatures helped by the healthy soil. Predators, such as snakes, are close but rarely a big threat to moles. The soil moles live in is alive with nutrients and microscopic creatures. Moles are even born underground, where they have everything they need. The story is compelling and well-researched, and contains many relevant facts.

Vivid illustrations give a genuine sense of living in the underground. Kids will feel like they’re with the moles—in a comfortable way.

In the “Explore More—For Kids” section, second graders are challenge to think about the world they just learned about. “I’m a reptile that can grow up to six feet long.” A list of super powers demonstrates why the star of the book is called Mighty Mole and is a superhero. In “Explore More—For Teachers and Parents,” learning activities are outlined and encouraged. Online resources are cited for more learning and activities.

–Grade Reading – Sue Poduska (July 6, 2015)

This delightful story helps students understand the importance of soil to organisms such as Mighty Mole, and the importance of those same organisms to soil. Though it feeds, clothes, and provides shelter for us, soil is the most overlooked and underappreciated resource on the planet. Mighty Mole is a great introduction and incentive for students, teachers, and parents alike to learn more about this wonderful resource, SOIL.

–Dr. Dirt, aka Clay Robinson, PhD, Education Manager, Soil Science Society of America (March 30, 2015)

Moles are secretive mammals few of us ever see, but are brought to life in this wonderful book. With mighty adaptations to their life underground, moles are superheros for improving the soil underfoot. Dirt, tunnels, and earthworms make moles tick.

–John Wible, Curator of Mammals, Carnegie Museum of Natural History (March 30, 2015)