Summer is Here
a Bear and Mole Story
WILL HILLENBRAND
Holiday House (May13, 2025)
Ages 3-8 years, Grades P to 3
Swish. Swish. Swish… Thwack! Bear and Mole are stepping up to the plate for summer baseball season—but what happens when Mole struggles to hit the ball?
Finally, summer is here! Baseball-loving Mole suits up and hustles to the baseball diamond for a game with his best friend, Bear. Mole is ready to play, and he’s swinging for the fences! Swish. Swish. Swish. Is it a swing and… a miss?
Mole measures, wishes grits his teeth, and swings—still, it’s like he can’t even see the plate! But with the gentle support of his friend Bear, lots of patience, and a new pair of glasses, Mole is ready to play all summer long.
Will Hillenbrand’s Bear and Mole series is the perfect choice for storytime sharing or reading aloud. Strong verbs, repetitive phrases, and fun-to-read sounds keep young listeners and readers engaged with the story, while the gentle illustrations add detail and quiet humor. This tender yet joyful homage to the endless excitement of summer and meaningful time with friends from an award-winning author-illustrator is sure to be a home run with readers.
Reviews
With minimal text (which budding readers can attempt), this is a charming tale. Engaging use of sound effects makes the book a good option for read-alouds. Hillenbrand’s art often dominates the page with dramatic depictions of movement, while strong shading and textures elevate the images. . . A winsome sporty tale, especially resonant for athletic newbies.
—Kirkus Reviews―Kirkus
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Playball,
Summer is Here
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