Horn Book (Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

Color design by Ashanti Fortson. Country dwellers Mole and Vole are the stars of this engaging and enjoyable nature-themed graphic novel told in five chapters, or "expeditions." "Expedition #1: Forest Adventure" introduces readers to the creatures' natural environs and their primary character traits (Mole = excitable; Vole = more cautious). "Expedition #2: House Adventure" brings them inside a nearby cabin where they are mistakenly packed into moving boxes. They arrive (unbeknownst to the humans) in a city where the rest of the expeditions take place. With some trepidation, but with appetites for adventure, Mole and Vole set out at various times throughout the day and night. They encounter such familiar city creatures as pigeons, raccoons, and opossums, along with others such as a black-crowned night heron, a DeKay's brown snake, and many more examples of flora and fauna, all identified in clear illustrations with eye-pleasing earth-tone hues and including occasional, informative entries from Mole's sketchbook. Throughout, Vole insists on having seen a lion, a narrative thread that offers in-the-know humor for readers and ties in with a theme of new friendships -- for animals and humans alike.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Every day and sometimes at night, excitable Vole surprises neighbor Mole with a wake-up call: “TIME FOR ADVENTURE!!” Quieter, more risk-averse Mole gamely accompanies danger-seeking Vole, documenting their days in a sketchbook. When the pair inadvertently hitches a one-way ride to a city with nearby human residents, portrayed as Black, they make the best of the surprising transition, exploring the urban wilderness in bite-size adventures with dialogue by Mosco that smoothly integrates nature facts. Hu’s animal character designs are welcoming and friendly, while changing viewpoints—including cutaways of Mole’s underground home, images of sketchbook pages, and aerial views of the adventurers’ rambles—keep the pages interesting in this light comic centering a gentle animal fellowship, a human child’s move from city to country, and a view of the natural world’s variations. Back matter includes tips for drawing, journaling, and green living. Ages 4–8. (June)

School Library Journal (Fri Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

K-Gr 3 Best friends Mole and Vole live in a forest and look for new sights every day for Mole to draw in their nature journal. They venture into the moving boxes of a nearby human family, who are Black, and accidentally move with them to a large city. The change of setting surprises the pair, who quickly establish new homes and pair up to explore the urban environment, including streets, trees, and a community garden. They form an Adventurers Club of like-minded animals to observe flora and fauna, while avoiding predators such as hawks and owls. Hu's artwork conveys the fun, wonder, and fear the adventurers experience. Full spreads and pages of three to four panels each are easy to follow, whether wandering around a neighborhood or introducing a new friend. Activities in the back include guides for drawing, nature journals, community gardens, decorating windows to help birds, raising cats, and composting. VERDICT Readers will feel compelled to start their own journals, gardens, and hikes thanks to these outdoorsy animal friends. Thomas Maluck