Summer Is Here

Swish. Swish. Swish… Thwack! Bear and Mole are stepping up to the plate for summer baseball season—but what happens when Mole struggles to hit the ball? Now in board book!

Finally, summer is here! Baseball-loving Mole suits up and hustles to the baseball diamond for a game with his best friend Bear. Mole is ready to play, and he’s swinging for the fences! Swish. Swish. Swish. It’s a swing and… a miss?  

Mole measures, wishes, grits his teeth, and swings—still, it’s like he can’t even see the plate! But with the gentle support of his friend Bear, lots of patience, and a new pair of glasses, Mole is ready to play all summer long. 

Full of simple sound-words and lots of repetition, Spring is Here is ideal to share with toddlers. This new board book format is small and durable, perfect for the adventurous toddler who loves playing ball.With minimal text (which budding readers can attempt), this is a charming tale. Engaging use of sound effects makes the book a good option for read-alouds. Hillenbrand’s art often dominates the page with dramatic depictions of movement, while strong shading and textures elevate the images. . . A winsome sporty tale, especially resonant for athletic newbies.
—Kirkus Reviews

Hillenbrand rolls out excellent action ­telling, focusing on each little motion to build up character momentum. . . . A quick read, reminding readers about the power of friendship and resilience.
—School Library JournalWill Hillenbrand has written and illustrated a wide range of picture books for children, including the popular Bear and Mole books and the Mighty Reader series. Spring Is Here won the Please Touch Museum Book Award. What a Treasure!, a Pennsylvania One Book, was written with his spouse Jane Hillenbrand.