Bernard Pepperlin
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
“Bernard and his newfound friends—revolutionary rats, wise-cracking cats, and coffee-chugging squirrels, to name a few—will delight and inspire readers of all ages!” —Erin Entrada Kelly, Newbery Medal-winning author of Hello, Universe
The drowsy Dormouse from Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is transported to modern-day New York City for the adventure of a lifetime in this middle grade novel that’s perfect for fans of Stuart Little and written by critically acclaimed author Cara Hoffman.
When a girl in a blue dress crashes the Mad Hatter’s eternal tea party, the sleepy Dormouse feels more awake than he has in a long time. He wishes he could follow her and be a part of her adventure.
And as luck would have it, a surprising twist of fate sends the Dormouse on an adventure of his own, where he must not fall asleep. For he is destined to save a magical world outside Wonderland, and it will take all his courage—and a few new friends—to do it.
What happens when a sleepy hero from a classic tale wakes up in the middle of a modern magical showdown?
Classic Retelling: Leave the Mad Hatter’s tea party behind as Lewis Carroll’s drowsy Dormouse becomes the unlikely hero of a story for a new generation.Talking Animals: Meet an unforgettable cast of city critters, from wise-cracking cats and revolutionary rats to coffee-chugging squirrels who become Bernard’s closest allies.Found Family: Watch as Bernard, a mouse who has always been alone, discovers the meaning of friendship and courage with a little help from his new friends.Magical Urban Fantasy: Explore a hidden world of wonder thriving just beneath the streets, subways, and skyscrapers of New York City.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In Hoffman's whimsical debut, the Dormouse of Lewis Carroll's Wonderland lands in Manhattan after the irascible Mad Hatter shoves him into a porcelain teapot painted with the city's skyline. Time has stopped in his homeland, where he's been subjected to an endless tea party, so Bernard is thrilled to see a working clock in this "magnificent new world." Soon, though, he learns that trouble is brewing in the metropolis, where the Pork Pie Gang of weasels is preparing to hold "The First, Last, and Only Endless Ukulele Concert," which will stop time and force residents to do forever what the weasels do best: "nothing." Determined to foil this nefarious plot, Bernard rallies the aid of a streetwise cat, escaped pets living in Manhattan's underworld, and a troupe of cockroach musicians and tap dancers. Along with her obvious borrowings (there's a blonde girl named Allie), Hoffman gives additional sly nods to Carroll's classic (a queen in a red dress who runs a diner) and includes nonsensical verse of variable cleverness, creating a quirky flight of fancy with a rich lineage. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8 12.
