Customer Reviews

Tumtum & Nutmeg: Adventures Beyond Nutmouse Hall

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In the tradition of many a Great Mouse tale (Geronimo Stilton, Ralph S. Mouse, Stuart Little, The Rescuers, etc.), TUMTUM & NUTMEG is a prime example of old-fashioned storytelling where cute-as-a-button animals talk, adults are buffoons, and the promise of bonafide adventure makes the story worth telling --- and hearing. A collection of three mini-stories full of unlucky captures, heroic escapes and a whole lot of scampering, Emily Bearn's debut works on all fronts.

In the first story entitled "Tumtum & Nutmeg," Bearn sets up the concept for the series simply but with just the right amount of whimsy and suspense to draw in youngsters. Two gangly kids (nerdy Arthur and slightly bossy Lucy) live with their widowed, disheveled dad (an inventor) in a decrepit old house called Rose Cottage. Little do they know that Tumtum and Nutmeg, the delightful Mr. and Mrs. Mouse, have also made the ramshackle cottage home --- in the 36-room lavish miniature mansion, called Nutmouse Hall, hidden behind the bookshelves in the broom closet.

The two worlds, human and mouse, peacefully coexist under one roof like they always have --- Tumtum and Nutmeg tidy up the kids' attic room at night to help out; Arthur and Lucy think a fairy is responsible for the good deed --- until trouble strikes one day. Arthur and Lucy's curmudgeony, mice-fearing Aunt Ivy comes to visit, and all hell breaks loose --- including a rat poisoning, a surprise attack by an army of mice with the Napoleonic General Mousemarch at the helm, and Aunt Ivy's ultimate emotional breakdown (reminiscent of Aunt Spiker or Aunt Sponge from JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH).

The next two stories, "The Great Escape" and "The Pirates' Treasure," are equally as enjoyable --- and entertaining. "The Great Escape" follows the captured General Mousemarch to Arthur and Lucy's school where he is kept amidst naked, unsophisticated gerbils and later rescued by a troupe of dainty mice-ballerinas on pogo sticks. Just like its title sounds, the last saga recounts yet another sticky situation for the bumbling General Mousemarch as he is held for ransom by a band of beastly rat-pirates on a small island in the pond next to Arthur and Lucy's house.

Bearn's roster of characters are a bit of what one might expect to find in these types of British adventure tales, but that doesn't make them any less lovable (or, in Ivy's case, despicable). Nutmeg's generosity is as boundless as General Mousemarch's goofy senselessness is expected, and the siblings are just enough in the background to provide a relatable context for readers.

Will there be more tales of derring-do beyond Nutmouse Hall? And will there be delicate black and white illustrations throughout each book at just the right moments? With Bearn and illustrator Nick Price at the helm, let's hope so.

--- Reviewed by Alexis Burling

I just finished reading this to my 6 year old boy/girl twins. They loved it. I loved. Perfect to read to both genders. I am an avid reader and am working to instill a love of reading in my children - this was an excellent start. They were a little disconcerted when we started as there are only black & white illustrations (which are beautiful) and they are not on every page like they were used to, but I explained how reading a well written story should put the images moving in your mind. My son was was very excited the other night exclaiming to me, "Mom - I see it all in my head!"

Buy it. Snuggle up and read it to your children!

This is a fabulous collection that is sure to be a classic! I read this book aloud to my children and we devoured it! We can't wait to see the next adventures Tumtum and Nutmeg will embark upon! This book should be on every family's bookshelf alongside Wind in the Willows, Charlotte's Web and the like. It is exquisitely written and wonderful fun! We highly recommend it!!

We purchased this book for my daughter,who is 9 ,for Christmas. It is full of adventure and characters she loved to read about. Once she started the book she did not want to put it down. Lots of good clean fun with nothing too scary or bogged down with teenage issues like boys and parental rebellion. Highly recommend.

I picked up Tumtum and Nutmeg at our local library. I liked that 3 volumes were in one book as we usually like a series and then have problems finding the other books to it. I love the english tone and new words that are not usually used in childrens books this side of the pond! I feel like my children's vocabulary grew and the stories were very entertaining. Yes, there is violence, but I can't recall ONE childrens movie that doesn't have strong scenes...it's exciting!!! I bought this book for my mom so she can read it to my neices and nephews. I know she'll like it as she is married to my dad, whom I believe General Marchmouse was fashioned after!

This is a 3-in-1 book, which starts with ..., and also includes The Great Escape and The Pirates' Treasure. The Nutmouses - Tumtum and Nutmeg - live in a mousehole in the home of the Mildew's, and they interact (via written letters) with the Mildew children, Arthur and Lucy. Although the children are aware of the Nutmouses, they know them to be fairies, not mice, and have never actually seen Tumtum and Nutmeg. The two mice come out at night to do chores for the children in their neglected household. They also spend time in Lucy's dollhouse and Nutmeg, in particular, spends a lot of time cleaning and cooking around her own mousehole too. The mice are fun and smart, and their words are charming and very British, especially if you're an American who is reading this. I actually found the text to be a bit above the children's level and felt this book would be great for 4th grade and up to about middle school; although even adults can enjoy it, as I did. The book is also very long. Although each story is only about 100-120 pages the book is about 460 because the three stories are combined. To a child, it might look daunting. The first story is a general introduction to the children, the mice, and where and how the mice live - they also have a mini-adventure when the children's aunt Ivy tries to poison and kill them. This is where General Marchmouse enters - he's a friend of the Nutmouses and eagerly gets involved with trouble and battles. He is featured in the next two stories as well; in fact, he is the main character. I think the Nutmouses are a great pair and I'd love to read more about them and their own adventures with the children; General Marchmouse isn't that interesting. The children, Arthur and Lucy, do not really have a big part in the book so it's mainly a book of mouse adventures.

A wonderful children book, which I highly recommend for all ages from five up. Delightful, funny, moving, gripping, a modern British classic.

My daughter fell in love with these books when she was just over 4. We read them out loud to her and she adores them. We are re-reading them for the second time! We have read other books like Charlotte's Web, Pippi Longstocking, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory -- but Tumtum and Nutmeg are just more delightful than any of the others, and I can't explain why. The other reviews here are on target -- these darling mice are just incredible and the stories captivating!

My daughter and I love this book. It keeps her interested so she will finish a chapter. I would recommend this book and will be buying more!

I am a teacher and I am reading it to my third grade class.Early in the year we had ro reorganize classes and three parents told me their child didn't want to leave the class because they wouldn't find out what happened to Tumtum and Nutmeg. It has great vocabulary and the class is enjoying it immensely- me too.