I can't have enough of reading children books but in the last time did not have enough time and inspiration for something new. The newly released children book by Maria Ellis, the Golden Cheese, woke me up from the post-summer lethargy.
Written in verses and targeting the 3-7 yo age group, it is the story of a brave mouse who dreams about being rich and enjoying the privileges of a king. His sometimes hilarious search for happiness take some comical turns, but he is also faced with the unlucky fate of being misunderstood by his other peers from the wild kingdom. This happened including when he finally found the precious piece of golden cheese. Isolated and deeply unhappy, he decided to stay away from the laughing crowds. But as in the human life, you cannot have only bad or good things happening to you. A cute mouse journalist lady heard about his successful capture of the much praised golden cheese and is looking for him to write his story. When she finally finds her, he refuses to acknowledge the happy reality: 'I don't have any friends! Never did! I'm a fool./Found yourself someone else who is smart...and more...cool'.
However, it is a happy ending in the mice world too and the two of them will end up learning how to 'live full time as a king'.
The author also made the illustrations that sometimes are filling and completing the story, in a very harmonious and colourful way.
The story is told in a very creative way, entertaining from the beginning till the end. The poetic form, that she chose for another children book that I have read, liked and reviewed, the Bear's Slippers.
After reading it, I can say that the Middle Age-sque quest for the Golden Cheese can be full of lessons for the parents of the children as well, without a specific age target. Somehow, it is always good to know that you don't need necessarily a castle to be happy, but rather people that can speak your language and understand you.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from the author but the opinions are, as usual, only my own
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