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.