The Tiny Thing

A mole stumbles upon a tiny thing and finds his life forever changed by the power of imagination and finding self-confidence in this tender and enchanting picture book.

When shy Mole is out walking one day, he sees a tiny thing. He brings it to his burrow and immediately sets out to make it feel at home. Mole, who had never been noticed by the squirrels or included by the birds, finds an imaginary friend in the tiny thing. Soon, he feels brave enough to share songs, secrets, and stories—and even bring the tiny thing out into the world!

Sometimes, even the tiniest of encouragement is all that’s needed to branch out and make new friends.

Ellen Tarlow writes stories for children, including the picture books Looking for Smile, Becoming Blue, and The Tiny Thing. She has been a teacher and for many years worked as an editor of early childhood classroom materials. Ellen lives in the Hudson Valley with her husband, David, a painter. 

Lauren Stringer has illustrated many celebrated picture books, including The Tiny Thing by Ellen Tarlow; Deer Dancer by Mary Lyn Ray; The Princess and Her Panther by Wendy Orr; Scarecrow and Snow, both written by Cynthia Rylant; as well as her own Winter Is the Warmest Season, When Stravinsky Met Nijinsky, The Dark Was Done, and An Abundance of Light. She lives with her family in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Visit her at LaurenStringer.com.