Book Review: Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
Rated by 4 members
What Parents Should Know
Robert O'Brien's superior writing makes this alternately
humorous and rousing adventure entertaining and believable, and
the black-and-white illustrations enhance the story.
Common Sense Media Review
The rats of NIMH, literate and technologically adept, are
able to develop such conveniences as electricity. Sure, animal
tales often feature such human "creature" comforts, but what
makes them possible isn't explained. These creatures, however,
with chemically enhanced brainpower, don't stop at generating
energy: They're working on developing their own
civilization.
Robert O'Brien has a knack for captivating his audience by creating humanlike personalities. Adults who read Mrs. Frisby And The Rats Of NIMH aloud will marvel along with their children at the adventures of the book's characters, and the realistic sketches will help younger children follow the plot.
Underlying the book's humor and fantastic elements are a set of values that children won't soon forget. The new breed of rats decide it is wrong to steal food, so they grow their own grain, and they are mostly loyal, honest, and willing to make sacrifices to reach their goals--values that make this an outstanding book for children.
And when they discover that Mrs. Frisby is the widow of Jonathan, a fellow laboratory animal who was pivotal in effecting their their escape, they demonstrate an admirable willingness to help her rescue her family.
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