Review: Cute bedtime story
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 1, 2012
Overall, the story is whimsical and a great opportunity to teach kids about the power of imagination (with unheard-of creatures and an imaginary world).  After I read it to my son, I asked him what he thought the world was shaped like and other questions to get him thinking.  IMO, kids are too practical these days.  TV shows you everything, and so do video games.  Even LEGO sets come with instructions (which I immediately toss!)!  Original thought is a vanishing concept. Kids don't read as much as they used to, and that leads to them being less creative in other aspects of their lives - again, just IMO.  So I give kudos to this and any other author who can create a story that's almost entirely make-believe and keep it fun and short enough to compete with today's vanishing attention spans.  That's star #1.I've never heard of these creatures before now, the writing itself is very good, and the world is creative and original.  For those 3 things, I gave the other 3 stars.The missing star is because the world itself could be improved upon.  It seems rather small and dull to be the realm of magical creatures.  Also, we aren't told enough about life in this world.  Do other beings live in the forest?  What kinds of creatures does Norbert protect against?  What's beyond the borders of this small forest? Interaction/dialogue with other characters would help as well.  All we're really given are Newert's actions, Newert's thoughts, Newert's job, Newert's circumstances. A little variety could enrich the story tremendously, I think.