Reviews :: Mission Manuscripts Inc.

REVIEWS

The Farmhouse Adventures of NORM The Ninja River Mouse

James A Cox – Editor-in-Chief
Diane C Donovan – Editor
Midwest Book Review–CHILDREN’S BOOKWATCH: November 2007
Oregon, WI

“The Farmhouse Adventures Of Norm, The Ninja River Mouse” by Don Arends is the entertainingly story of a little mouse with exceptional talents called Norm who lives on the banks of the Moselle River in Germany. Norm must use his ninja skills when confronted with all manner of enemy attacks by the dastardly owl Morgan during his many adventures. It’s interesting to discover that Norm’s best friend is a lovely silver haired kitten named Kathy! The stories are based on a true travel incident along the Rhine and Moselle Rivers experienced by author Don Arends and deftly incorporate interesting facts associated with real historical locations. Nicely illustrated with black-and-white images by Sue Swanson and Jim McDonald, “The Farmhouse Adventures Of Norm, The Ninja River Mouse” is a thoroughly entertaining read (and is also available as a 30-minute long CD for $6.00) for children and recommended to parents, teachers and librarians as being appropriate for inquisitive boys and girls. Also very highly recommended is Don Arends’ previous children’s book “Grandpa Grouper The Fish With Glasses” ($12.00).”

Writer’s Digest
15th Annual International Self-Published Book Awards
Judges Commentary:

What did you like best about this book?

“It’s a sweet, light-hearted tale that teaches a couple of positive messages – the importance of friendship, and the ability to “turn the other cheek.” The illustrations are well done and colorful. I like that the author includes several questions that directly address the child to pay attention and be involved with the story. It’s a story that I believe will interest the intended audience, and the pacing is fast enough to retain their interest throughout. The language is age-appropriate and this could well straddle the line between a tale that parents read to kids and an early reader book.”

Book Dealers World
Issue 24, 2007

Award Winning Author Announces Latest Book

“Don Arends, author of the Pinnacle Award Winning Book, ‘Grandpa Grouper’ has just released his latest title, ‘The Farmhouse Adventures of Norm the Ninja River Mouse.’ Inspired to write stores for his gaggle of 28 grandchildren, Don’s latest work looks like another winner. Donning an acorn for a helmet, a three-inch needle for a sword, and diligently studying the ancient art of Ninjitsu, Norm is anything but your typical mouse. As Norm battles owls and farmhouse cats, he befriends a silver haired kitten named Kathy. Each of Norm’s adventures are full of interesting facts on real historical locations, educating reader as to where the famous exploits of Norm actually took place.”

James A Cox – Editor-in-Chief
Diane C Donovan - Editor
Midwest Book Review – CHILDREN’S BOOKWATCH: February 2007
Oregon, WI

"Veteran scuba diver Don Arends puts a novel twist on an original, entertaining, and character building picturebook story whose simple ‘kid friend’ text is colorfully illustrated by Neelam. Presenting young readers with the tale of the fish called Grandpa Grouper and his undersea friends, the story is about what happens when Grandpa Grouper’s mini-submarine is captured, he loses his king crown and glasses, and how his team of friends recover his possessions and, escaping the Blue Island Aquarium, finally make it back to Grandpa Grouper’s coral reef home. Thoroughly charming and thoughtful, “Grandpa Grouper” is a very highly recommended addition for family, school, and community library picturebook collections."

Al Galasso
North American Bookdealers Exchange
Cottage Grove, OR

"This easy to read enjoyable fish tale features Grandpa Grouper and his delightful friends. They are captured by a mini submarine and put on display in the Blue Island Aquarium. Grandpa losses his glasses and crown to a bully triggerfish, but the group make a daring escape back to the coral kingdom. In this unique children’s book (for ages 5-8), the young people are challenged to find special details in the bright underwater illustrations, which are full of motion, color and happy faces. Based on a true sea voyage that took place in the Galapagos Islands, this book makes a perfect gift for grandparents, schools, public libraries, gift shops, churches and fundraisers."

Pre-publishing field-testing in preschool to second grade classes provided very positive feedback from children, teachers and familes.

Nikki Stauffer
http://www.gatherroundthetable.com/Grandpa_Grouper_Review.html

"Our world is inundated with graphic and violent images both on TV and in video games. In a traditionally styled children’s book, Grandpa Grouper: The Fish With Glasses, author Don Arends attempts to draw attention back to the written word.

Grandpa Grouper, with his friends, lives in the coral reef. Grandpa and his friends are captured by a mini-submarine and brought to a new home at the aquarium. There, Grandpa becomes the star of the show where children come to see all of the beautiful fish. Even though their new home has all the things they need, it's not home. Devising a plan to escape and return to their homes, the group only needs the perfect moment to put that plan in to practice. Will they make it home?

With engaging questions on every page, even the youngest of listeners or readers will feel they are part of the story. The illustrations are quite colorful and bright, eliciting the feel of a magical watery realm.

We love this story of friendship, teamwork and determination."

Anne Butler – Preschool Teacher
Bethlehem Preschool, St. Charles, IL

“Our children were absolutely delighted by the story of Grandpa Grouper and his friends. Our curriculum is based on the children using exploration, discoveryand problem-solving to create meaningful and fun learning experiences. This marvelous bookprovides all of that and so much more!”

Eels

Zoe MacKay Zacker – Age 6
"Reading Grandpa Grouper brings a treasured smile."

Anne M. Jeans School – Willowbrook, IL
"Grandpa Grouper is a big hit."

Sharon Korzenecki– 2nd Grade Teacher
St. John of the Cross School

“Grandpa Grouper is a delightful mix of lessons ranging from recognizing possible causes of emotions that occur in interaction with others, and a lesson in learning how to be a team player. Grandpa Grouper is truly imaginative,has interactive lessons and is a terrific story of friendship which is critical for developing social and emotional skills.”

Ginny Stonecipher – Elementary Teacher

“We gave our book to our friend with four little granddaughters ages 5-12. They read it to them on Thanksgiving and asked them to critique the book. Never have four kids felt more important as they knew their thoughts would go to the author and were very impressed and so said they were giving their honest opinions.”

“The four loved the book, liked the characters and felt that you needed to write more books using the same characters. The youngest wears glasses so that really impressed her. The second youngest, around 8, says you should write a hurricane into your next one with the same characters and an island.”

All illustrations have lots of motion, color and happy faces. The story stresses how friends use their imaginations and talents to help each other in Grandpa Grouper’s adventure. Each spread has a question for children to find the answer in the pages