The Odyssey of Homer

The very idea is cheering, and the gift it bestows on the near-sighted Moles - the opportunity to see the stars - is, as father Harley remarks, indeed impressive, even if the book isn't particularly. The situation is simple but the plot is proliferous: Harley, mother Emma and son Delver are diligent tunnelers whose every day is the same until a people family moves into the house overhead and Delver digs up to look around; the milkman has left a Season's Greetings calendar and a house mouse explains about presents and the fat man in a red suit. Before leaving to avoid Ephraim Owl, he comments on the brilliance of the stars; stymying Deliver until another mouse mentions that people look at them with telescopes which would undoubtedly be helpful to anyone who might be somewhat nearsighted. How the Moles build the prescribed chimney, write the prescribed letter, escape the ever-threatening Ephraim, and eventually get a telescope - thanks to Ephraim's Christmas-spirited interception of Santa's sleigh - makes a fruitcake of a story that children will enjoy just bemuse of what's in it. (Kirkus Reviews)