Amazon All God's Critters Amazon.co.uk AuthorHouse Category:  Children Publisher: AuthorHouse ISBN-10:  1438918089 Type: Fiction Pages: 44 Copyright: October 2, 2008 ISBN-13: 9781438918082 "Opal, Herby, and Squeaky" is a welcome literary treat with a powerful, inviting message. Opal is an adorable little kitten, but she's homeless, and when a kind-hearted woman offers to adopt her one day, Opal is elated. Her new owner's offer, though, is based on one condition: that Opal catch a little gray mouse running free in her house, to which Opal gladly agrees. Upon arriving at her new home, Opal becomes fast friends with Herby, her owner's lovable wiener dog, who soon lets her know exactly why the rouge mouse, Squeaky, is such a problem: every night after Herby goes to sleep, Squeaky sneaks out of his hole in the wall and steals all of the food out of Herby's bowl. Herby then goes hungry all of the next day because he has no food to eat. After learning of Herby's ongoing plight, Opal commits herself to putting a stop to Squeaky's hijacks once and for all--but she soon finds that her task isn't as easy as it sounds. However, rather than allow herself to grow frustrated, she asks God for His help in figuring out precisely how to catch Squeaky in the act--and ultimately have the little critter for her own dinner. God then gives Opal the answer--but on one condition: that Opal gives Squeaky the chance to repent once he's been caught, and, if he does, so, Opal must allow him to go free. Soon thereafer, Opal finally catches Squeaky, but she stays true to her promise to God and gives him the chance to repent--and little does Squeaky know, his ultimate decision will prove much more consequential than he realizes... Excerpt Book 3 is a delightful children's tale by Christian Fiction author Jay Miller. In it, Miller skillfully spurs original thought in the minds of young readers, helping them realize that for every action there is a consequence--be it good or bad--and that each decision we make must be preceded by careful, deliberate forethought. By doing so, we can prevent ourselves from falling into pratfalls that often accompany the folly of diving head-first into situations whose virtue is superficial at best. Miller also does a commendable job of displaying the transcendent power of forgiveness, particularly the second chances with which it provides us all. As we are all human, we are all prone to making mistakes, but the importance of patience and understanding in the face of common error is not often stressed enough--a point that Miller makes in compelling fashion.

Official Apex Reviews
Opal is an adorable little kitten, but she's homeless, and when a kind-hearted woman offers to adopt her one day, Opal is elated. Her new owner's offer, though, is based on one condition: that Opal catch a little gray mouse running free in her house, to which Opal gladly agrees.

Upon arriving at her new home, Opal becomes fast friends with Herby, her owner's lovable wiener dog, who soon lets her know exactly why the rouge mouse, Squeaky, is such a problem: every night after Herby goes to sleep, Squeaky sneaks out of his hole in the wall and steals all of the food out of Herby's bowl. Herby then goes hungry all of the next day because he has no food to eat.

After learning of Herby's ongoing plight, Opal commits herself to putting a stop to Squeaky's hijacks once and for all--but she soon finds that her task isn't as easy as it sounds. However, rather than allow herself to grow frustrated, she asks God for His help in figuring out precisely how to catch Squeaky in the act--and ultimately have the little critter for her own dinner. God then gives Opal the answer--but on one condition: that Opal gives Squeaky the chance to repent once he's been caught, and, if he does, so, Opal must allow him to go free.

Soon thereafer, Opal finally catches Squeaky, but she stays true to her promise to God and gives him the chance to repent--and little does Squeaky know, his ultimate decision will prove much more consequential than he realizes...

Book 3 is a delightful children's tale by Christian Fiction author Jay Miller. In it, Miller skillfully spurs original thought in the minds of young readers, helping them realize that for every action there is a consequence--be it good or bad--and that each decision we make must be preceded by careful, deliberate forethought. By doing so, we can prevent ourselves from falling into pratfalls that often accompany the folly of diving head-first into situations whose virtue is superficial at best.

Miller also does a commendable job of displaying the transcendent power of forgiveness, particularly the second chances with which it provides us all. As we are all human, we are all prone to making mistakes, but the importance of patience and understanding in the face of common error is not often stressed enough--a point that Miller makes in compelling fashion.

"Opal, Herby, and Squeaky" is a welcome literary treat with a powerful, inviting message.

Rating: 5 star out of 5


Teresa W.
"Opal, Herby and Squeaky" is the third book for children by Gather member, author Jay Miller. I was gifted with signed copies of all three of his books by Jay Miller himself for my darling grandsons and what a delightful blessing the books are! All three of Jay's books ("Bingo the Banjo Picking Bear"; "Sal and Sally"; and "Opal, Herby and Squeaky") share Christian values with a strong moral lesson to be learned in a simple yet charming way.

The illustrations are colorful and fun and the stories easy to read. Plus lyrics to songs by and about story characters are included at the end of the story that the kids can sing and play around with which is fun.

Of all three of Jay Miller's books ("Bingo the Banjo Picking Bear"; "Sal and Sally"; "Opal Herby and Squeaky"); "Opal, Herby and Squeaky" is my favorite. Don't get me wrong, all three books are fun but Opal, Herby and Squeaky made me laugh the most.

The book starts out with Opal the furry black kitten needing a home. So she did what any sensible Christian kitten would do, she prayed for a home and was granted one IF she could catch a little gray mouse. In Opal's new home, she was quite serious about her job to catch the naughty little gray mouse named Squeaky who is stealing all the food from the other home's resident, the little red wiener dog named Herby.

Herby the wiener dog is happy Opal has come to live with them and wants to be friends and share his food with her but there is no food to share because that greedy mouse Squeaky steals it all every night. Opal prays for help to catch the naughty mouse and God answers that he will help her but that Opal must offer Squeaky a chance to repent from his naughty ways once she's caught him.

After Opal catches Squeaky the mouse, he does repent from his naughty ways, gives back all the food he stole and the three animals become best friends. The owner is amazed that a kitten, a dog and a mouse are best friends and they all praise God who has made such a thing possible!

Opal, Herby and Squeaky is best for younger readers. My nine year old grandson considered himself "too old" for it (his words!). But I think younger readers will enjoy the story and the bright colorful illustrations should really capture their attention too.

Ratings: 10 out of 10