Norbert Nipkin

Charmingly written by Robert McConnell and whimsically illustrated by Steve Pilcher, the art director for "Shrek 2", Norbert Nipkin is an enchanting, brilliant picturebook following the adventures of little Norbert Nipkin through a fantasy world. Rhyming verse tells of little Norbert's meeting with a terrifying, Nipkin-eating Zlog. Yet when Norbert cries out an appeal just before being devoured, the Zlog is startled; he knew that Nipkins tasted good, but he never knew they could talk. A fast bond of friendship develops between two very different creatures, and the Zlog hides young Norbert from a bigger hungry Zlog, in this story about the common qualities that bind big and small individuals, in this classic tale since its original publication in 1978. Also highly recommended is the sequel, Norbert Nipkin And The Magic Riddle Stone.

I was first introduced to this book when I was two years old. It soon became one of my favorite stories. The pictures are absolutely amazing. They are paintings of nipkins and zlogs and are really fun (at times scary for a two year old). When given a choice, I always picked Norbert Nipkin.As I grew up, I became too cool for "kiddie" books, but I never let Norbert Nipkin go to garage sales or my little cousins. It stayed in my book shelf.In my late teens, I stared doing a lot of work with children and ended up working at a summer camp. Before I left, I decided to bring some books that I could read to my campers at night. Norbert Nipkin was first to go in my bag. Every camper that I have had over the past five years has loved this book as much as I have. Whether they were seven or seventeen, they always liked to hear this book over and over again.The main message in this book is to not judge people on their appearances. It shows that it is easy to make friends with different people by taking the time to talk to them. I think that this is the main reason that children connect with this book. Almost everyone has had to make new friends and over look differences in people. If you want your children to be accepting of people for who they are on the inside and to take the time to really get to know people, then get this book. It really is the best book ever.

Robert McConnell spins a sweet, entertaining story about the true meaning of friendship. In this rhyming fantasy, he develops a friendship between a wonderfully illustrated hunter and his adourable little 'lunch'. My children fell in love with Norbert and I thank the teacher who introduced this book to us!