Category: Children Publisher: CreateSpace
ISBN-10: 1493521411
Pages: 32
Copyright: November 8, 2013
ISBN-13: 9781493521418
They are a cheese-loving family of mice that live in a grocery store, giving them free range to the dairy section. There’s only one problem standing in their way— Mr. McGrime, the cranky store owner. Still, that doesn’t stop the playful critters, who somehow always outsmart Mr. McGrime.
Written in metered poetry, this series of books will take kids on a fun-filled romp with each new story. In Book 1 – “Not’cho Cheese!” – Grandpa Gouda pays a visit to Papa Parmesan, Papa’s wife, Brie, and their son, Reggiano. But when Reggiano eats the macaroni-and-cheese that Brie’s prepared for dinner, the mice must figure out a way of sneaking cheese from the grocery store and into their nook without being caught by Mr. McGrime. As an added bonus, there’s a glossary at the end of each book to teach kids about different cheeses that all the mice in the series are named after. So grab your favorite cheese and enjoy the journey with The Big Cheese Family!
Professional Reviews
New Children’s Book: The Big Cheese Family
The Big Cheese Family is the first in a projected new series of children’s books aimed at introducing young readers (and probably their parents too!) to “real cheese”.
Written in brief and simple verse, author & playwright Tony Jerris’ story is illustrated by Oliver Batin.
With characters like “Papa Parmesan” and his wife “Brie” and a glossary of cheeses and terms, the simple first story is that of a family who lives in a grocery with amply access to cheese to the ire of the shop owner McGrime. Unlike Remy the rat in Ratatouille, these mice have no qualms about stealing food for their cheese parties.
The book is geared towards 4-8 year olds. Batin’s illustrations are colorful, and at around 20 pages plus glossary, there’s plenty for young readers to look at.
The glossary could use some tweaking in future editions.
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For example, two of the included cheeses are “Parmesan: A hard Italian aged cow’s milk cheese.” and “Reggiano: A hard granular cheese named after Parma, Italy.” When actually those are one and the same cheese: Parmigiano-Reggiano. “Parmesan” is simply the English name for it.
Cheese purists looking to teach would want to get these facts straight; regardless, the definition “Manchego: A sheep’s milk cheese from Spain” might not stick with a four year old. Hey- never too early to preach real cheese!
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The Big Cheese Family is available in paperback or for Kindle from Amazon
In the works is the second in the series: The Big Cheese Family Plus Two! (Where Brie has her babies: Baby Swiss & Baby Blue).
Enchanta (50,000 words) is an imaginative young adult fantasy novel for children eight to thirteen that adults could also enjoy. The story has lots of magic, adventure and surprises.
Momma’s Bootcamp is a heartwarming adventure wrapped in rhymes and wonder. With each turn of the page, young readers are transported to a magical island surrounded by a sparkling stream—where fun, friendship, and a little bit of old-fashioned hard wo
