Starred Review Having sunk her teeth into Beavers (2018) in the first entry in the Superpower Field Guide series, Poliquin now digs into moles ose "tunneling torpedoes" whose subterranean superpowers include "Indefatigable Paws of Power," "Arms of Hercules," a fantastically sensitive "Early Whisker Warning System," the ability to turn around in tight places due to "Super-Squidgibility," and the admittedly-unproven-but-too-good-to-leave-out "Saliva of Death." Along with unpacking each power in succession, the author leads a house tour beneath the turf to point out typical latrines, "worm pantries" (where live provisions are stashed, their heads bitten off so they can't escape), and other expertly excavated chambers and tunnels. She surveys New and Old World mole species and explains how the blood of the "blazing bitsy backhoes" is uniquely adapted for low-oxygen environments. Pop quizzes mix recaps with ringers (True or false: "Moles are strong enough to juggle bulls"), and the back matter features a small but choice heap of print and web resources . . . including, of course, The Wind in the Willows. On almost every page, Frith's freestyle animal portraits, cutaway views, and glimpses of the casually dressed author scouting out facts echo the narrative's exuberant tone as well as significant portions of its content. Readers will never again regard these "bionic burrowers" as pests , at least, not as ordinary ones.

Following series opener Beavers (2018), another field guide and another nuanced look at an underappreciated species.In this installment, Poliquin explains how the wonders of evolution have led to the creation of the marvelous mole. À la the format established in Beavers, the narrator lists those superpowers that make the mole (named Rosalie) special. The list includes a plethora of fun reach words, including the "indefatigable paws of power," "super-squidgibility," and "double-thumb-digging dominance." (Sure, "squidgibility" may be a new coinage, but it works well to describe how "Rosalie can fold herself in half to do a somersault through her hind legs," effectively reversing in her tunnel. And it's really fun to say.) Periodic humorous quizzes test readers' knowledge (and ability to absorb new information). The cheeky tone works well overall, combining a bit of snark with a lot of information. Frith's illustrations are similar to the previous book's, with a white female narrator guiding readers. Sadly, Rosalie doesn't have the same Hanna-Barbera cuteness of beavers Elmer and Irma, but Frith's emphasis on realism over adorableness may be appreciated by scientifically minded readers. Backmatter includes a glossary (with sporadic phonetic spelling) and a brief bibliography, which includes nonfiction, fiction, and web links. The final pages hint at the next book in the series (and a trip to Africa).No sophomore slump here. Pick up a copy. (Nonfiction. 8-12)