Happy Birthday, Mole and Troll (A See and Read Storybook)

Features

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Library Binding: 63 pages
• Published by: Putnam Publishing Group December 1979
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0399611371
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0399611377

Product Description
Mole and Troll learn several lessons about friendship in these four stories.

Reader Reviews
This fourth and last book in the "Mole and Troll" series continues to depict the competitive yet loving friendship between Mole and Troll. Of the four short stories in this volume, only "Contests" and "Happy Birthday," demonstrate the sweet touch that made Johnston's third book, "Night Noises," so wonderful. For this reason, I gave this work three stars. Johnston expands her storytelling range in those two tales to explore the limits of competition and the opportunities for showing kindnesses. She does so by reinforcing her central message that there's nothing more important than a best friend. The middle two stories "Dragon Fire" and "The New Mole" are recycled tales from "Night Noises" about acceptance and fears. Even Cyndy Szekeres, while still drawing child-friendly scenes, over-illustrates those two tales, adding more detail and background in an effort to enhance the thin content. Like the other books in the series, "Happy Birthday", is printed in a 7"w by 8.5"h format that is perfect for little hands. Author Tony Johnston started her writing career in 1972, when she published her first book, The Adventures of Mole and Troll, followed by: Mole and Troll Trim the Tree (1974) Night Noises and Other Mole and Troll Stories (1977) Happy Birthday, Mole & Troll (1979) Unfortunately, all four books are now out-of-print and available only through used bookseller markets such as Amazon Marketplace. They are worth finding and buying since they reflect a golden era of children's literature.