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.