The following is an editorial review from Book Reviewers International, for my children's story, "The Little Mouse,"release date May 25. Available to pre-order now. Many thanks to Celine Lai for her kind words.
Just a note further: While Celine states that the book is suitable for twelve years and up, that's her opinion. While each child develops differently, after consulting with someone who has studied child development, and worked with children for twenty-five years (not to mention having children and grandchildren of her own,) Wild Wolf and myself still maintain that it's suitable for five years and up.
The Little Mouse
The Little Mouse by C.W. Lovatt reviewed by Celine
Published by: Wild Wolf Publishing
Format: Kindle 79 pages
Date of publication: 25 May 2018 –
pre-order through Amazon
Genres: Fiction, spiritual, animals, fantasy, children’s book
REVIEW
A well written and well-crafted memorable
fantasy story for ages 12 and above, with an exciting and colorful
narrative that keeps the reader on their toes and wondering what will
happen. This wonderful story is sprinkled with amazing forest
creatures, with whom you feel as though you are right there with them as
this gripping tale un-folds.
Magic is seamlessly woven into the story
in a believable fashion, and as I read, I felt that I was traveling with
a Jedi Mouse who performed great feats of hands on healing. The themes
are quite apparent – that no-one is too small to achieve something, to
believe in oneself, people can change, and that we are all
inter-connected.
Above all, the Little Mouse shows one
never to give up but to trust in one’s inner resources or higher
guidance, as the story takes you through rather stressful or unpleasant
scenarios, akin a little to the original story of Bambi where Bambi’s
father is shot and taken from him.
Some of the expressions or sentences are
at a reading comprehension level for the older child, and the story may
enhance a child’s vocabulary because a few words in the story may be
unknown to them. There were 2 words which I had to look up in the
dictionary, indicating the breadth of the vocabulary in this story; but I
didn’t mind doing that at all, and when I was quite young I read a lot
of books for which I did just that.
Toward the end of the story there are
quite graphic descriptions of violence toward animals of which a parent
should judge whether this would be suitable for the tender thoughts of
children younger than 12. This part of the story is integral to the
themes however, and any discomfort to the reader serves to bolster the
intent of the tale, which to me is multi-layered, being not to treat
animals as objects for the pleasure of sport, and to believe in and use
all of your natural resources and a combination of will-power to get
what you want, if it is ethical.
Altogether a delightfully satisfying
story for an adult or mature young person to read, and definitely I can
see this story a movie taking its place alongside the classics.
Very exact and descriptive words are used
which immediately paint a magical tale where all the characters, both
of the animal and human type, come to life, as unique beings; whose
fates you are gripped by.
I really enjoyed reading this story
because even though it described unpleasant real-life situations, it has
a happy ending, and it is a metaphorical story that firmly encourages
us to think about what we do from all vantage points, and to respect,
understand and care for each other, and to work together, woven into a
story of warmth and courage and companionship.
Click here to pre-order your own copy of "The Little Mouse" - a #1 best-seller the first day it went on pre-order.
