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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
Remember when award-winning children’s books were genuinely for children and had any semblance of creativity and heart and whimsy to them?
*insert Pepperidge Farm meme*
This was my first time reading this book and holy cow - was this a throwback to the days when children’s literature was actually FUN without being crass or dumbed-down or preachy. And this book won the Newbery? I guarantee you that would not be the case had this book been written in Current Year.
Mrs. Frisby is a delightful heroine. She is an ordinary mouse caught up in a wild adventure and all she wants to do is protect her family. She’s not the chosen one, she doesn’t lead a revolution, she doesn’t defeat any tyrants. Her boy, Timothy, gets sick and she needs help getting him and her other children to safety before the farmer plows up her home. That’s it. That’s her problem.
And yet, the solution leads to some amazingly wonderful discoveries about the world she and her family inhabit. Yet she doesn’t wish to take part in those discoveries herself, though she considers the rats of NIMH good friends anyway.
I understand there are sequels that were written after the author’s death, but I don’t think the story needs a follow-up. As far as I’m concerned, The Frisby family is living quite peacefully in their summer home, without any dangerous situations or harrowing experiences to disrupt their lives. The story is just that good. Anything further would make the original less special.
Such a great story, one that makes me nostalgic for the days when children’s literature was written to delight and entertain children (and if adults liked it, that’s fine too).
*insert Pepperidge Farm meme*
This was my first time reading this book and holy cow - was this a throwback to the days when children’s literature was actually FUN without being crass or dumbed-down or preachy. And this book won the Newbery? I guarantee you that would not be the case had this book been written in Current Year.
Mrs. Frisby is a delightful heroine. She is an ordinary mouse caught up in a wild adventure and all she wants to do is protect her family. She’s not the chosen one, she doesn’t lead a revolution, she doesn’t defeat any tyrants. Her boy, Timothy, gets sick and she needs help getting him and her other children to safety before the farmer plows up her home. That’s it. That’s her problem.
And yet, the solution leads to some amazingly wonderful discoveries about the world she and her family inhabit. Yet she doesn’t wish to take part in those discoveries herself, though she considers the rats of NIMH good friends anyway.
I understand there are sequels that were written after the author’s death, but I don’t think the story needs a follow-up. As far as I’m concerned, The Frisby family is living quite peacefully in their summer home, without any dangerous situations or harrowing experiences to disrupt their lives. The story is just that good. Anything further would make the original less special.
Such a great story, one that makes me nostalgic for the days when children’s literature was written to delight and entertain children (and if adults liked it, that’s fine too).
The story is timeless and classic. We all loved it.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Suberb, terrifying book about Mrs. Frisby seeking help from a clan of intellectualized rats to move her home before it is destroyed, which will kill her bedridden son Timmy.
The movie is also very good, and scary, but they call her Mrs. Brisby for some damn reason.
The movie is also very good, and scary, but they call her Mrs. Brisby for some damn reason.
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Great bedtime story. I always loved the movie and the book was even better. I loved that no magic was involved.
Re-read this on audio and it still holds all the magic it did when I read it as a kid. I can’t wait to read it to the kids.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent
I remember as a child seeing the animated movie about this story. It was during the holidays and I remember the movie being dark and creepy. I remembered Timothy being sick, but I didn't remember much else besides Nicodemus speaking in a raspy voice, looking like a scary old wizard. I'd have to watch it again to appreciate it more, but I was able to get the full story--with none of the creepiness--after reading this quaint little book. I enjoyed the themes of bravery, kinship, intelligence, hard work, and gratitude being portrayed. We never find out what NIMH stands for, though. One guess is "National Institute on/for Mental Health."
Wonderful. So much better than the movie. Complex issues, but spurred wonderful discussion with the kids.