The Grumpy Mole, written by John Evan Harris, has been announced as a finalist in the 2026 CALEB Awards for Published Books, in the Published Picture Books category. CALEB is a highly-regarded contest which recognizes Christian writing. The themes of kindness and forgiveness in The Grumpy Mole  made the book eligible.

John’s sister Penelope Roiall is also a CALEB finalist,  in another section – the Young Adult Fiction section – with her romance novel A Wilde Wind.

The CALEB contest is run by the Omega Writers network  (www.omegawriters.com.au).  Winners will be announced on 17 October.

HOW DO YOU COPE when a loved one dies? When your life seems to have stopped but the world expects you to ‘just man up’ and ‘get on with it’?

In GRIEF in BRIEF former journalist, TV producer and business owner John Harris shares his journey of grief following the death of his wife of 40 years and mother of his four children. He offers practical tips on coping with loneliness, loss and despair.

• Using bullet points, GRIEF in BRIEF is a practical go-to guide for anyone who has lost a loved one.

John says “GRIEF in BRIEF is my modest but heartfelt contribution to the mountain of literature already available on the subject of grief. I hope it will go part of the way to meeting the immediate needs of people, especially men, who cannot face the idea of reading a long book on grief but want some pointers on how to cope with the crushing pain of the loss of a loved one. It is very personal.

“I have related my own experiences in the belief that these have more impact than generic advice.”

The Grumpy Mole gets a Digger is off to an encouraging start in 2026 with a positive review on WhatBookNext.com: ‘The bright, full colour illustrations of The Grumpy Mole Gets A Digger are full of action, and the perfect rhyme is fun to read again and again for digger mad listeners.’ (The illustrations are by Minky Stapleton of course.)

WHERE TO BUY

The Grumpy Mole and The Grumpy Mole gets a Digger are both available from this website: www.johnevanharris.com/shop. Or from Dorothy Butler’s bookshop in Ponsonby, and Time Out in Mt Eden.

All are welcome to an afternoon of family fun this Saturday, 8 November at the Brookby Barn. The popular venue is staging a fund-raising event which will feature sibling authors Penny Roiall (The Adventures of Romy), Rosie Boom (The Barn Chronicles) and John Evan Harris (The Grumpy Mole).  They will be reading from their books and meeting fans.

The Barn, situated in beautiful countryside at 331 West Road, Brookby is owned by husband and wife team Christo and Monya. They regularly host weddings, parties and conferences.

Saturday’s event begins at 2.0pm. Guests will be able to meet Mindy the miniature donkey (pictured) as well as Muscovy ducks, highland cattle, guinea fowl, turkeys, chickens, horses and sheep.

There’ll also be a bouncy castle, sausage sizzle and games. You can learn more about the venue at www.brookbybarn.co.nz

A big shout out to artist Minky Stapleton, who designed and illustrated The Grumpy Mole gets a Digger. Reviewer Trevor Agnew (The Source, Magpies Magazine) says the fantasy forest world Minky created for the book is “beautifully realised”.

Minky is pictured with author John Evan Harris at the launch of the book.

Trevor Agnew’s review goes on: “A mouse wears a fair-isle pullover and spectacles, beetles have backpacks and the centipede can carry two cakes in his four hands. Tiny details are always fascinating, so sharp-eyed young readers will spot the portrait of Mole’s mother on his wall, not to mention the fob watch in his waistcoat pocket. When Mole first lays eyes on the big yellow digger, his pupils become heart symbols.”

The Grumpy Mole gets a Digger is now available at Dorothy Butler Children’s Bookshop and from the author’s website: www.johnevanharris.com/shop.

The delightful new book ‘Comfort and Cheer’ is special to me for three reasons. For a start, it is written by my sister Rosie Boom (pictured). Secondly, it’s the ideal gift for those who are hurting and in need of comfort and cheer. Thirdly, the book’s beautiful pictures of flowers, birds and bees were drawn by our late mother Leone Harris.

I’m so proud of Rosie, and thrilled that she has honoured our mother this way. Rosie will launch the book at Whangarei’s Church Unlimited on Friday evening, 15 August. Guests welcome.

Thrilling to receive a photo showing a group of early learning centre children engrossed in The Grumpy Mole.

John Evan Harris (centre) and his siblings spent several days at beautiful Russell, encouraging each other in their writing projects. “These sibling retreats are so valuable,” said John. “We always come away refreshed and with renewed energy.”All siblings have new books in their final stages, aiming to publish them later this year.

Young Evan, in his first-ever book review, recommends The Grumpy Mole because he loves the beautiful illustrations and the message: “It’s about kindness, because the mole is angry at the creatures but they still help him.” Watch Evan’s review on Suzy and Friends, on YouTube at https://youtu.be/K2hegwol2PE. Thanks Suzy, and thank you Evan!

Big yellow glasses (as worn by my favourite mole) acquired for my next public reading of The Grumpy Mole. A fashion statement from the mole’s wardrobe!

The Grumpy Mole is available at Dorothy Butler Children’s Bookshop, Time Out, a smattering of independent bookshops across the country … and my writer’s website www.john@boyfellinpond.com/shop).

What a thrill to have the legendary Suzy Cato read The Grumpy Mole on YouTube for Suzy’s Book Corner!  “What a grump the Grumpy Mole is!” said Suzy. “But what a wonderful story!”

You can go to Suzy’s reading by clicking https://youtu.be/VW-CjvPzTeM.

Illustrator Minky Stapleton was Guest of Honour at today’s launch of The Grumpy Mole picture book. Minky drew all the characters and designed the book. “Minky created a wonderful world of tiny creatures which are at the heart of the book,” said author John Evan Harris. “I’m incredibly grateful.”  Minky was on hand (centre in picture) to sign copies of the book for eager young fans.

The Grumpy Mole picture book was launched today (3 October) at the famous Dorothy Butler Children’s Bookshop in Ponsonby Auckland. Author John Evan Harris read his story to a small crowd of small people in front of the mole’s house. The young readers went home with stickers, pens and a colouring-in sheet.

The Grumpy Mole picture book will be officially launched at 10.30 this Thursday morning, 3 October, at the award-winning Dorothy Butler Bookshop in Ponsonby.

Author John Evan Harris will read his story, and he hopes children will come dressed as the tiny forest creatures featured in The Grumpy Mole. “I know at least one butterfly and a bumble bee who are coming.”

The book’s beautiful illustrations are by Auckland artist Minky Stapleton, who is well known for her books and book cover designs.