{"id":37494,"date":"2021-02-05T23:16:14","date_gmt":"2021-02-06T03:16:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=37494"},"modified":"2021-02-05T23:16:14","modified_gmt":"2021-02-06T03:16:14","slug":"review-of-the-superpower-field-guide-moles-by-rachel-poliquin-illustrated-by-nicholas-john-frith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=37494","title":{"rendered":"Review of The Superpower Field Guide: Moles, by Rachel Poliquin, illustrated by Nicholas John Frith"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>The Superpower Field Guide<\/p>\n

Moles<\/em><\/p>\n

by Rachel Poliquin
\nillustrated by Nicholas John Frith<\/p>\n

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2019. 96 pages.
\nReview written April 2, 2020, from a library book
\nStarred Review
\n2020 Sonderbooks Stand-out<\/a>:
\n\t#4 General Children’s Nonfiction<\/p>\n

I checked out this book thinking it would work well for booktalking in the schools. I was absolutely right, but now that schools are closed I\u2019m going to have to wait another year to do it. So let me tell you about it.<\/p>\n

I never dreamed a book about moles could be so entertaining! This author uses a conversational tone and really emphasizes the Wow factor of many strange characteristics of moles. One way she does this is by describing nine mole superpowers: Astonishing Architect of Dirt, Indefatigable Paws of Power, Double-Thumb-Digging Dominance, Arms of Hercules, Super-Squidgibility, Early Whisker Warning System, Headless Hoarding, Saliva of Death (Maybe?), and Blood of the Gods.<\/p>\n

She describes moles in ways you can understand, such as shaped like a potato. And gives scientific terms more vivid names. The prepollex<\/em> is given the name Weird Fake Thumb, or WFT for short. Scientists say that moles\u2019 blood has high oxygen affinity<\/em>. This author says they have the Blood of the Gods.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s an example of the writing style in this book, taken from the beginning, after she\u2019s explained that moles are shaped like a potato:<\/p>\n

Now, potato-shapeliness is definitely too dowdy to be a superpower. But believe it or not, it\u2019s a MOLE\u2019S SECRET WEAPON<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Let me explain.<\/p>\n

Scientists say moles and potatoes have cylindrical<\/em><\/strong> bodies. Cylindrical<\/em> is a fancy way of saying \u201cshaped like a tube.\u201d But if you look at a potato, you\u2019ll notice it is not shaped like<\/em> a tube so much as shaped to fit inside<\/em> a tube. And that is the important thing about potato-shapeliness \u2013 it helps moles fit in tubes. A giraffe would not fit in a tube. Neither would a poodle, nor a chicken, nor any other animal with long legs and a long, bendy neck. Big floppy ears would also not be good in a tube. Take it from me, if you\u2019re going to live in a tube, it\u2019s best to be shaped like a potato.<\/p>\n

Of course, moles don\u2019t live in any sort of tube. They live in underground tunnels. And not just any underground tunnel. Moles are MASTERMINDS OF UNDERGROUND EXCAVATION!<\/em> They are ASTONISHING ARCHITECTS OF DIRT!<\/em> They are TUNNELING TORPEDOES!<\/em> Which brings me to ROSALIE\u2019S FIRST SUPERPOWER.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The cartoon illustrations also fit the tone perfectly.<\/p>\n

So there you have it \u2013 I now know about the wonders of moles. I read an entire book about moles and enjoyed every moment of it. Who knew science could be so much fun?<\/p>\n

rachelpoliquin.com<\/a>
\nnicholasjohnfrith.com<\/a>
\nhmhco.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy from Amazon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Find this review on Sonderbooks<\/a> at: www.sonderbooks.com\/Childrens_Nonfiction\/moles.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and will earn a small percentage if you order a book on Amazon after clicking through from my site.<\/p>\n

Source: This review is based on a library book from Fairfax County Public Library.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.<\/p>\n

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