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Bernard Pepperlin
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.
The drowsy Dormouse has been stuck inside a perpetual Sunday afternoon with the Hatter and the March Hare for what seems like forever. But when a girl in a blue dress crashes the Hatter’s tea party, the Dormouse feels more awake than he has in a long time. He wishes he could follow her and be a part of her adventure.
As luck would have it, a surprising twist of fate sends the Dormouse on an adventure of his own, where he must not—cannot—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.
The drowsy Dormouse has been stuck inside a perpetual Sunday afternoon with the Hatter and the March Hare for what seems like forever. But when a girl in a blue dress crashes the Hatter’s tea party, the Dormouse feels more awake than he has in a long time. He wishes he could follow her and be a part of her adventure.
As luck would have it, a surprising twist of fate sends the Dormouse on an adventure of his own, where he must not—cannot—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.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published September 17, 2019
20 people are currently reading
1797 people want to read
About the author
Cara Hoffman
21 books221 followersHOFFMAN is the author of the critically acclaimed novels Running, So Much Pretty and Be Safe I Love You. She has written for the New York Times, Marie Claire, Salon, and National Public Radio, and is the recipient of numerous awards and accolades including a Folio Prize nomination, and a Sundance Institute Global Filmmaking Award.
She has been a visiting writer at Columbia, St. John’s and University of Oxford.
She currently lives in Manhattan.
She has been a visiting writer at Columbia, St. John’s and University of Oxford.
She currently lives in Manhattan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
September 4, 2019
Check out more reviews @ Perspective of a Writer...
The Buzz
Since I'm not an especial fan of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland I was not hyped to read Bernard Pepperlin. Instead it reminded me of my childhood reading. One of my favorite books at the time was Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH and I always wanted more books about mice or rats that act like humans. (I only ever found one!) And I have to say Bernard Pepperlin turned out to be a fantastic, comparable read!
The cover is quite cute and has a sense of Alice on Wonderland while also being its own thing. And that quite suits Bernard Pepperlin and its relationship to its spin-off origins. The internal art is similar but black and white and really adds a lot to the story. The title is okay... it is the name of the dormouse in question and does fit him well.
The Premise
The drowsy Dormouse from the Mad Hatter's Tea Party is sick of the abuse he endures day in and day out! He escapes and is transported to modern-day New York City for adventure, friendship and the opportunity to act. It's quite cute how Bernard Pepperlin escapes Wonderland and comes to New York City... and the first one he meets is Mittens the cat!! Hahaha. I love animals personified and how their very real traits are used to enhance character. Like Mittens here is pescatarian... yup you may have to look that up but the story gives you a sense of what it means.
I loved how what we learned about the Mad Hatter and how the dormouse got caught at that Tea Party is used as the main premise in the Pork Pie Gang's plans to take over New York City!! Bernard is drawn into their plot quite naturally and meets a new friend. There are several red herrings hiding how New York will be saved which I thought was a ton of fun if your reading with a middle grade reader or even to a child just a little younger.
What I enjoyed most though was how the animal community found in New York came together to rescue the humans that would have been caught in the plot. #1 - love the fostering of community action! #2 - you don't have to be all powerful to make a difference! #3 - a proper self defense is perfectly allowable against bullies! Bernard Pepperlin helped inspire a revolution and found friendship and a new home and career along the way...
My Experience
While I admit that I was captured by little Bernard Pepperlin right away with his daring escape I was also troubled. My problem is there was an excruciating amount of description... and we frankly don’t need this much. In fact as I read the words my mind couldn’t hold on to them long enough to visualize anything. Because it’s so generic! 🙈 It's just your typical description, but also very detailed to the point nothing stands out or was stated in an unusual way (that you can remember!)
Due to the hefty description and New York City being a happening setting... the actual plot didn't get started until 22%. This is WAYYYYYYY too late to be getting into the action, especially a 224 page book like Bernard Pepperlin. However... Once the plot does get started its raring good fun!! For a middle grade reader who is used to reading picture books all of this description and the long setup may very well be what they need to get the setting and characters locked in their imaginations!
Why would a Middle Grade reader be excited to read Bernard Pepperlin?
-Blood pounding adventure.
-To triumph over evil bullies.
-Make friends you care about.
-Be brave and rescue yourself.
-Be part of a revolution!
Bernard Pepperlin really is a fun romp through New York, if you've never been you'll want to after reading this with your middle grade child. They'll giggle, gasp and jump in victory as Bernard wrangles with bullies, falls into traps and saves the day with the friends he's made along the way!
⋆ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Authenticity
⋆ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Writing Style
⋆ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Plot & Pacing
⋆ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ World Building
B+ Cover & Title grade
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review. It has not influenced my opinions.
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You can find this review and many others on my book blog @ Perspective of a Writer. Read my special perspective under the typewriter on my reviews...
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September 20, 2019
Bernard the dormouse is thrown into the teapot by the Mad Hatter and finds himself swimming in the Hudson River. Thus begins his adventures in Manhattan as he attempts to thwart the evil plan of the weasels to stop time. For a little mouse, he covers a lot of ground via assorted transportation options including the subway, a taxicab and a falcon. My two favorites are his attempt to cross Turtle Pond in Central Park via the backs of turtles and riding in the cuffs of humans. Quite entertaining and full of action. The weasels really creeped me out, but Bernard was a trooper! The illustrations in the paperback ARC I received were quite engaging and I anticipate that the finished artwork will be even more complementary to the narrative. Would make a fantastic classroom read aloud!
October 30, 2019
That was a very cute and greatly written little tale about friendship, and standing for one another in times of need.
I really loved all the characters, even the weasles!
And it was great the way the author talked about pets and how their owners see them. Our pets are living creatures and we must think of them as whole beings with feeling and personalities of their own!
I really loved all the characters, even the weasles!
And it was great the way the author talked about pets and how their owners see them. Our pets are living creatures and we must think of them as whole beings with feeling and personalities of their own!
October 4, 2019
Overall a sweet story. A hero mouse with a familiar past, shows what the little guy can do. Few scenes might be slightly intense for very sensitive reader.
October 4, 2019
Words cannot even explain how magical this was in audiobook form.
October 27, 2019
We are huge Alice in Wonderland fans at our house! So needless to say, I jumped at the chance to receive this free copy of Bernard Pepperlin from Harper Kids (thanks so much!) because it’s the story of the dormouse from the Mad Hatter’s tea party and what could have happened to him.
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Let me just preface this by saying that I expected the mouse to accompany Alice through Wonderland, and that’s NOT the direction it takes you. But don’t worry! It turned out to be charming and a lot of fun, and a great animal adventure story in its own right. I read someone's comment about it feeling more like Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NYMH, and that's a good comparison.
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Bernard goes from being trapped in Wonderland to an alternate version of modern-day New York City. As you go along, you notice all kinds of updated nods to the original story, which I found delightful. A completely un-Cheshire-like cat, talking creatures, a “Jabberwocky”-type gang, and even the queen of hearts (although her role was a little confusing). I would say this would be a great gift for Alice in Wonderland aficionados, and a special bonus if they love NYC too! It’s a middle grade story, but it worked for me as an adult.
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Some side notes—the illustrations (cover and throughout) by Olga Demidova were darling, and I also loved the slightly-square shape and shorter size.
.
Let me just preface this by saying that I expected the mouse to accompany Alice through Wonderland, and that’s NOT the direction it takes you. But don’t worry! It turned out to be charming and a lot of fun, and a great animal adventure story in its own right. I read someone's comment about it feeling more like Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NYMH, and that's a good comparison.
.
Bernard goes from being trapped in Wonderland to an alternate version of modern-day New York City. As you go along, you notice all kinds of updated nods to the original story, which I found delightful. A completely un-Cheshire-like cat, talking creatures, a “Jabberwocky”-type gang, and even the queen of hearts (although her role was a little confusing). I would say this would be a great gift for Alice in Wonderland aficionados, and a special bonus if they love NYC too! It’s a middle grade story, but it worked for me as an adult.
.
Some side notes—the illustrations (cover and throughout) by Olga Demidova were darling, and I also loved the slightly-square shape and shorter size.
September 1, 2019
Readers might consider reading or rereading Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland before reading Bernard Pepperlin: The Doormouse's Journey from Wonderland to Manhattan.
Bernard Pepperlin and his cohorts are endearing and courageous. Though Allie and the Queen are colorfully described, they and the other humans in the story are only useful as transportation from one setting to another. The animal characters in the book could have easily carried the story and captivated the reading audience without a single human.
Hoffman's writing style is excellent. For example she describes Manhattan's skyline as a "majestic forest of buildings." (page 27) It was a pleasure envisioning, "A whole village full of people cozy in one tall building--alone and together looking out into their speedy city at dusk." (page 83)
I appreciate the opportunity I was given to read this advance reader's edition as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
Bernard Pepperlin and his cohorts are endearing and courageous. Though Allie and the Queen are colorfully described, they and the other humans in the story are only useful as transportation from one setting to another. The animal characters in the book could have easily carried the story and captivated the reading audience without a single human.
Hoffman's writing style is excellent. For example she describes Manhattan's skyline as a "majestic forest of buildings." (page 27) It was a pleasure envisioning, "A whole village full of people cozy in one tall building--alone and together looking out into their speedy city at dusk." (page 83)
I appreciate the opportunity I was given to read this advance reader's edition as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
June 16, 2019
Overall, I found this story to be endearing, with a quality narrative voice. The concept of a modern Alice in Wonderland spin-off is intriguing, and while this writing style does not quite have the wit and whimsy of Lewis Carroll, the book is bolstered by charming and unique characters. While I respect the author didn’t try to mimic Carroll’s storytelling, there was not quite enough individuality for the book to become its own classic. But it is still a cute and enjoyable tale that I believe many children will adore. As for the writing content, I found the descriptions to be sufficient, and while I personally would have enjoyed more depth to the visuals, the usage was consistent and never distracted from the plot. The songs and rhymes throughout the book were curious and eccentric, and added to the fantastical tone of the story. I think the more elevated vocab will broaden young reader’s minds, and there is enough context clues around the terms to not alienate the audience. The debate about the philosophy of time is also keen and will intrigue older readers as well. And through the book, the plot moves swiftly and keeps readers engaged. Additionally, it was entertaining to see how the animals joined together to prove themselves stronger than their differences.
However, the action sequences do not flow well; the writing trips over itself and can become confusing. I also found issues with the worldbuilding. While I enjoyed the exploration of prey animals way of life and mindset in comparison to the larger hunters, and how this parallels children and their perspective of adults, the commingling of the animals’ world and the humans’ is inconsistent. I believe the divide needs to be clearer. The book shows that humans are unaware of the intricacies of animals’ lives, and that the realms mirror each other, but there are interactions that seem confusing. For example, the human subway riders seem terrified of Bernard because he is a mouse, just as people in our world would react to seeing a wild rodent, but then a taxi driver picks up a group of animals and then asks them to leave his cab in exasperation because they cannot pay with human money, and he cannot understand them. So do the humans understand that the animals are elevated beings, or not? How do the animals understand technological complexities such as Wikipedia, which Mittens mentions, but the humans do not seem to grasp that animals have jobs and hobbies? There is also a particular scene that was rather bewildering to me. The flowers that are being unloaded midway through the novel are described to have “screamed” when they were beheaded, and one of the gang member weasels was said to have the flowers’ blood on his teeth. This diction could be metaphorical, but in a fantastical story with personified animals, it reads as quite literal. To give plants as well as creatures sentience in this world brings new questions of morality, and that scene could be unsettling for young readers.
In sum, Bernard Pepperlin is a fun and quick read that fleshes out one of Carroll’s minor characters. Although some worldbuilding uncertainties ought to be re-examined, the book is charming and follows heart-warming themes of cooperation and friendship.
However, the action sequences do not flow well; the writing trips over itself and can become confusing. I also found issues with the worldbuilding. While I enjoyed the exploration of prey animals way of life and mindset in comparison to the larger hunters, and how this parallels children and their perspective of adults, the commingling of the animals’ world and the humans’ is inconsistent. I believe the divide needs to be clearer. The book shows that humans are unaware of the intricacies of animals’ lives, and that the realms mirror each other, but there are interactions that seem confusing. For example, the human subway riders seem terrified of Bernard because he is a mouse, just as people in our world would react to seeing a wild rodent, but then a taxi driver picks up a group of animals and then asks them to leave his cab in exasperation because they cannot pay with human money, and he cannot understand them. So do the humans understand that the animals are elevated beings, or not? How do the animals understand technological complexities such as Wikipedia, which Mittens mentions, but the humans do not seem to grasp that animals have jobs and hobbies? There is also a particular scene that was rather bewildering to me. The flowers that are being unloaded midway through the novel are described to have “screamed” when they were beheaded, and one of the gang member weasels was said to have the flowers’ blood on his teeth. This diction could be metaphorical, but in a fantastical story with personified animals, it reads as quite literal. To give plants as well as creatures sentience in this world brings new questions of morality, and that scene could be unsettling for young readers.
In sum, Bernard Pepperlin is a fun and quick read that fleshes out one of Carroll’s minor characters. Although some worldbuilding uncertainties ought to be re-examined, the book is charming and follows heart-warming themes of cooperation and friendship.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2020
Delightful. With wonderful illustrations, Hoffman takes some of the familiar elements from Alice in Wonderland and transforms them into a modern adventure through the strange land of New York City. Whimsical and full of adventure, the story of Bernard Pepperlin nevertheless captures timely and resonant themes about differences, apathy, and the power of community. It's a fun read that also has a lot to say about the world we live in, and Hoffman weaves those two halves of the story together into a fantastic adventure sure to delight readers of all ages.
November 24, 2019
I don't get the Allison in wonderland plotline. I thought that it was weird and it wasn't explained very well, though the whole book was like that for me. Maybe some people will like this book, but I sure as hell didn't.
January 30, 2020
I can see what the author was trying to do here, but I think it fell short. The Alice in Wonderland angle seemed very weak. I did think some of the characters were cute and my daughter and I had a few laughs, but I wouldn’t recommend.
January 27, 2023
First off, the Alice in Wonderland motif is very temporary and very fleeting in the story.
If you like Alice in Wonderland then this book will not please you quite as much as you think, if you dislike Wonderland then you will probably enjoy this book because it only has an intro about it. I feel like some people pick this book up expecting it to be an entirely Wonderland tail when it's really basically the first chapter.
Bernard Pepperlin escapes Wonderland within the first chapter by the means of being shoved into a boiling pot of tea and for some reason not dying, or maybe he has died and I just haven't found out. As somebody who has handled hot tea as well as boiling water I want to say this boy is lucky to be alive, but I have no idea how he survived being submerged in it for that long.
The dormouse has an even worse life than can be imagined, it's implied that he's spent over two hundred years trapped in a tea party with no time moving. And all of this time no one has ever cared about him nor asked his name. So he existed with his name Bernard Pepperlin and nobody ever asking about him because they're too busy poking him with needles and dunking him and boiling water as well as slattering him with random condiments.
The abuse of this boy is bad.
The power of bad singing can make time so offended because time is a sentient being, the Mad Hatter and the March Hare have both cause time to stop by being so brutal and rude as they are, along with the full implication that the Mad Hatter has been contaminated by poisonous lead and other chemicals that have slowly seeped into his brain and caused it to rot. This is briefly glossed over but is actually a horrific thing that is true and historically correct and it shocked me that it was in this book.
Time has hit itself at the bottom of a teapot and as such, Bernard Pepperlin is the only one to encounter it because he is both small enough to be shoved into boiling water and also small enough to fit into the teapot.
Things go from bad to worse with him ending up and basically New York City which is a terrible place with a lot of animals that are not understand by humans, but somehow exist among them. The story from there is complicated and also confusing. It feels like it took a page out of Shrek. Not a bad page, but one of those weird pages that needs a little bit more explanation.
One thing I did enjoy was that there are references to little things kids can learn, for example IV the lizard is cold-blooded and starts to slow down because it's cold outside. And then they need to keep her warm otherwise she'll fall asleep.
I definitely was not ready for the bad guys to carry knives, and actually use the knives that's definitely a bit of a surprise in a kids book.
I also was not expecting there to be dozens of murders in this book but I guess I should expect that from all kids books at least because a lot of the ones I've read have had so much grisly murder and so many terrifying saints. Oddly enough the worst scene for me was probably either when they we found out the flowers were sentient and therefore when they were eaten they were screaming in pain. Or that they bleed.
All in all, there are several red herrings and moments that go nowhere but it's good in a lot of ways, it's not a perfect book but it's a very nice book. There's so many loose ends that I guess we're just supposed to gloss over them, like will Wonderland ever be fixed, will Bernard ever help those two ill people who he really does want to help but then ignores. And what happens when he time skips?
This book was a good read and even ignoring the plot holes and problems it has a very nice ending. I wasn't expecting so many broken bones and amputations and such a simple looking book but it definitely delivered a little bit of horror.
All in all, I would recommend Bernard Pepperlin to be read at least once.
4.3 stars.
If you like Alice in Wonderland then this book will not please you quite as much as you think, if you dislike Wonderland then you will probably enjoy this book because it only has an intro about it. I feel like some people pick this book up expecting it to be an entirely Wonderland tail when it's really basically the first chapter.
Bernard Pepperlin escapes Wonderland within the first chapter by the means of being shoved into a boiling pot of tea and for some reason not dying, or maybe he has died and I just haven't found out. As somebody who has handled hot tea as well as boiling water I want to say this boy is lucky to be alive, but I have no idea how he survived being submerged in it for that long.
The dormouse has an even worse life than can be imagined, it's implied that he's spent over two hundred years trapped in a tea party with no time moving. And all of this time no one has ever cared about him nor asked his name. So he existed with his name Bernard Pepperlin and nobody ever asking about him because they're too busy poking him with needles and dunking him and boiling water as well as slattering him with random condiments.
The abuse of this boy is bad.
The power of bad singing can make time so offended because time is a sentient being, the Mad Hatter and the March Hare have both cause time to stop by being so brutal and rude as they are, along with the full implication that the Mad Hatter has been contaminated by poisonous lead and other chemicals that have slowly seeped into his brain and caused it to rot. This is briefly glossed over but is actually a horrific thing that is true and historically correct and it shocked me that it was in this book.
Time has hit itself at the bottom of a teapot and as such, Bernard Pepperlin is the only one to encounter it because he is both small enough to be shoved into boiling water and also small enough to fit into the teapot.
Things go from bad to worse with him ending up and basically New York City which is a terrible place with a lot of animals that are not understand by humans, but somehow exist among them. The story from there is complicated and also confusing. It feels like it took a page out of Shrek. Not a bad page, but one of those weird pages that needs a little bit more explanation.
One thing I did enjoy was that there are references to little things kids can learn, for example IV the lizard is cold-blooded and starts to slow down because it's cold outside. And then they need to keep her warm otherwise she'll fall asleep.
I definitely was not ready for the bad guys to carry knives, and actually use the knives that's definitely a bit of a surprise in a kids book.
I also was not expecting there to be dozens of murders in this book but I guess I should expect that from all kids books at least because a lot of the ones I've read have had so much grisly murder and so many terrifying saints. Oddly enough the worst scene for me was probably either when they we found out the flowers were sentient and therefore when they were eaten they were screaming in pain. Or that they bleed.
All in all, there are several red herrings and moments that go nowhere but it's good in a lot of ways, it's not a perfect book but it's a very nice book. There's so many loose ends that I guess we're just supposed to gloss over them, like will Wonderland ever be fixed, will Bernard ever help those two ill people who he really does want to help but then ignores. And what happens when he time skips?
This book was a good read and even ignoring the plot holes and problems it has a very nice ending. I wasn't expecting so many broken bones and amputations and such a simple looking book but it definitely delivered a little bit of horror.
All in all, I would recommend Bernard Pepperlin to be read at least once.
4.3 stars.
September 18, 2019
This City is Ours
Cara Hoffman, author of Running, Be Safe, I Love You, and So Much Pretty, has taken a break from adult literary fiction and written a delightful chapter book for middle grade kids. Bernard Pepperlin is a mouse, the dormouse from Alice in Wonderland, who escapes from Wonderland and finds himself transported in time and space to modern day New York. There he discovers a world of animals, a lizard, a cat, a rat and a hawk among others, carrying on their own busy lives beneath the feet of bustling New Yorkers. It is pure fantasy written in the incisive and beautiful prose that is Hoffman’s calling card, which gives the story the edge of reality, as Bernard negotiates the alien city’s parks, rivers and subways, its garbage, traffic and myriad dangers. He meets Mittens, a wise-cracking cat who eats fish not mice, and a troop of tap dancing cock roaches. When Bernard Pepperlin is captured by a gang of weasels, he discovers their plan to paralyze all of New York with hypnotic and cacophonous music that causes time to come to halt. To stop this plot Bernard must gather together all of the other animals of the city, its pigeons, bees, mice, rats, squirrels, dogs and toads. On the way Bernard is captured by a girl who looks like Alice, gets lost in the underground, and finds allies at the Flower Market, a beautiful set piece of action and description. Hoffman writes for children as she does for adults, without condescension, cuteness or sentimentality. What results is a lovely story with a ripping plot about friendship and the weak banding together to fight for what’s theirs, in this case New York City.
Cara Hoffman, author of Running, Be Safe, I Love You, and So Much Pretty, has taken a break from adult literary fiction and written a delightful chapter book for middle grade kids. Bernard Pepperlin is a mouse, the dormouse from Alice in Wonderland, who escapes from Wonderland and finds himself transported in time and space to modern day New York. There he discovers a world of animals, a lizard, a cat, a rat and a hawk among others, carrying on their own busy lives beneath the feet of bustling New Yorkers. It is pure fantasy written in the incisive and beautiful prose that is Hoffman’s calling card, which gives the story the edge of reality, as Bernard negotiates the alien city’s parks, rivers and subways, its garbage, traffic and myriad dangers. He meets Mittens, a wise-cracking cat who eats fish not mice, and a troop of tap dancing cock roaches. When Bernard Pepperlin is captured by a gang of weasels, he discovers their plan to paralyze all of New York with hypnotic and cacophonous music that causes time to come to halt. To stop this plot Bernard must gather together all of the other animals of the city, its pigeons, bees, mice, rats, squirrels, dogs and toads. On the way Bernard is captured by a girl who looks like Alice, gets lost in the underground, and finds allies at the Flower Market, a beautiful set piece of action and description. Hoffman writes for children as she does for adults, without condescension, cuteness or sentimentality. What results is a lovely story with a ripping plot about friendship and the weak banding together to fight for what’s theirs, in this case New York City.
January 1, 2020
This little gem turned out to be an unexpected treat. The tale begins with earnest Bernard the Dormouse stuck in a tea party with the March Hare and the Mad Hatter, in a garden that is impossible for him to leave. In a moment of luck he falls into the tea pot, and instead of climbing out, he proceeds to continue swimming downward, until he finds himself in a new world. The little Dormouse imagined from Alice in Wonderland, emerges in the middle of a river facing New York City. Timid by nature, Bernard soon befriends a cat named Mittens with a chewed ear, (that doesn't eat mice) and Ivy a very smart lizard who both prove valuable friends for the Dormouse. This wondrous tale takes place all over New York City, as Bernard secretly scurries around through subways, men's cuff legs, taxis, and ferry boats focusing on finding freedom and safety for himself and his other animal friends amongst the dangers of the big city. The nasty Pork Pie Gang, all of them weasels, are planning to attack the city animals using their horrid hypnotic music. Can the wee furry folk find a way to save themselves against all odds? Tiny Bernard shows remarkable courage as he joins together with his friends to confront the weasels' evil plan, by working together. This story has the enticing feel of an animal classic, with its timeless issues of homelessness, standing together against evil, and finding the courage to stand up, while others cower. Bernard Pepperlin will make a delightful read aloud as he battles the unsurmountable challenges of the big apple, with no home.
October 9, 2019
Bernard Pepperlin is the doormouse from Alice in Wonderland. After being forced into a teapot, Bernard climbs out to find himself in the Hudson River. Here, he meets several different creatures, the first being a cat named Mittens. He's a cat who eats fish, not mice, and has some advice for little Bernard. The main warning is to avoid the Pork Pie Gang.
However, not even the bustling city of New York can hide him from the Pork Pie Gang once they set their sights on Bernard. While captured, he learns that the gang is trying to stop time and gain the attention of all of the citizens of New York. If anyone knows how terrible it is to be stuck in time, it's Bernard. It's up to him and his newfound friend Ivy to stop the Pork Pie Gang before it's too late.
BERNARD PEPPERLIN is a spin off of Alice in Wonderland, but the writing style between the two is similar. Bernard is thrown into a world that he doesn't understand and is faced with all sorts of trials and adventures. His trip around New York is a crazy one that'll take children's imaginations on a wild ride.
Final Verdict: I would recommend this to fans of Alice in Wonderland, fantasy, adventure, and animals.
This review can also be found on YABC: https://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfi...
However, not even the bustling city of New York can hide him from the Pork Pie Gang once they set their sights on Bernard. While captured, he learns that the gang is trying to stop time and gain the attention of all of the citizens of New York. If anyone knows how terrible it is to be stuck in time, it's Bernard. It's up to him and his newfound friend Ivy to stop the Pork Pie Gang before it's too late.
BERNARD PEPPERLIN is a spin off of Alice in Wonderland, but the writing style between the two is similar. Bernard is thrown into a world that he doesn't understand and is faced with all sorts of trials and adventures. His trip around New York is a crazy one that'll take children's imaginations on a wild ride.
Final Verdict: I would recommend this to fans of Alice in Wonderland, fantasy, adventure, and animals.
This review can also be found on YABC: https://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfi...
September 14, 2019
Bernard is stuck in the world of Alice and Wonderland after Alice no longer lives there and is living a pretty mundane life. He falls through a tea pot and escapes this world into the city of New York, but sadly that world has problems of its own. There's a gang who wants to stop time and Bernard is afraid that if they succeed he is going to be stuck with a life like the one he had in the past but worst.
The characters in this story are so cute and sweet, I love that its written around animals and their lives. It was so nice to imagine that these animals who live amongst us have lives and problems of their own just like us. I really enjoyed the humor in the interactions Bernard has with other animals and the range of emotions behind those interactions.
I recommend this to children ages 7-11 and to adults who are looking for a cute short read.
The characters in this story are so cute and sweet, I love that its written around animals and their lives. It was so nice to imagine that these animals who live amongst us have lives and problems of their own just like us. I really enjoyed the humor in the interactions Bernard has with other animals and the range of emotions behind those interactions.
I recommend this to children ages 7-11 and to adults who are looking for a cute short read.
October 23, 2019
This is a great family book to read out loud to each other. Its a middle grade book, but it kept my Kindergartner enthralled for the entire length. He was so excited when we reached page 100 and beyond that he talked about that for days. I'm ecstatic to say this is the longest read we've completed to date, which clearly says a lot about the book's readability.
I can't recommend the book enough and have no doubt we will "hang out" with Bernard and his friends, as well as enemies (the Pork Pie Gang), for many years to come. And anyone who's lived in or near NYC will likely enjoy all the familiar places referenced. Another reviewer on Goodreads stated the book is also a love letter to the city, and I couldn't agree more.
Kudos to the author on a well crafted children's book that uses great respect to pay tribute to the original work: Alice in Wonderland.
I can't recommend the book enough and have no doubt we will "hang out" with Bernard and his friends, as well as enemies (the Pork Pie Gang), for many years to come. And anyone who's lived in or near NYC will likely enjoy all the familiar places referenced. Another reviewer on Goodreads stated the book is also a love letter to the city, and I couldn't agree more.
Kudos to the author on a well crafted children's book that uses great respect to pay tribute to the original work: Alice in Wonderland.
March 5, 2020
This is a delightful little tale of the dormouse from Alice's classic tale breaking free of that endless tea party and making his way to New York City where he befriends all manner of creatures and helps them foil an evil gang of weasels set on stopping time in Times Square with their knives and ukuleles! There's heaps of good messages about friendship and listening to those with quieter voices and not judging a book by it's cover. If I had read this book when I was younger I would have easily classed it as a favorite because it has overtones of not just Alice, but The Cricket in Times Square, Stuart Little, The Borrowers, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas and so many more. What's also wonderful about this book is that it celebrates the great city of New York and made me want to visit there again. Right now!
October 21, 2019
This was a pretty cute book about the Dormouse from Alice in Wonderland going on an adventure in Manhattan. It had a good amount of text for that tricky fourth-grade group of readers. This book did have a LOT of city life in it (a very strong New York setting). The story seemed a bit . . . trippy at times? And there were pieces that I wasn't sure fit in with the whole (like the "queen" lady they meet at the Empire Diner, etc? Weasels trying to stop time?), though there were also great messages about standing up even when no one else acknowledges that anything is wrong, or if we don't think we can make much of a difference.
June 1, 2019
My 7 year old son and I read this book together and loved it! It is a wonderful contemporary extension of Alice in Wonderland, a love letter to our favorite city of New York, and each page comes alive with vivid characters and city life. It's a sweet story of friendship and courage and upon completion, my son immediately asked about a sequel! Highly recommend for elementary/middle school children.
September 6, 2019
I've always had a soft spot for the dormouse from Alice in Wonderland, so it was particularly fun for me to immerse myself in his continuing adventures (and in the New York City that is my hometown, no less). Not only that, I read this book aloud to my 10-year-old and 7-year-old, and they were both absolutely transfixed as well. I'd love to read more about Bernard and his continuing escapades—hopefully this will be the first in an ongoing series!
October 11, 2019
As a fan of Cara Hoffman's adult novels, and a mother of two children, I could not wait for Bernard Pepperlin to be released. And it was even more of a pleasure than I anticipated. Bernard is an engaging story with the most charming characters. There is a classic, literary quality to the book that will stand the test of time. I highly recommend this book for both young and older children (and adults, too).
February 17, 2020
A charming book that begs to to be read out loud to children. This little mouse is quite the character. With a name like that, one wonders if he might be British. The cockroach singer and band are hilarious. A cat fishing for his meals? Delightful. An interesting perspective of New York City from the lower elevations. The black and white drawings inside the book are a lovely asset. I love flowers so the descriptions were very appealing to me.
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February 16, 2021Dormouse, named Bernard, from the story of Alice in Wonderland takes a trip. Bernard very much sick of repeating time with the Mad Hatter and March Hare falls into the tea pot that transports him to another place. He ends up in Manhattan and begins the greatest adventure of his life. Will he be able to save this place from the evil that is threatening it? Does he have the courage to get the help needed from the other animal?
April 21, 2019
Why do I keep trying? I keep picking up books inspired by Lewis Carroll's Alice books and I am inevitably disappointed when they don't capture the wit and whimsy of the originals.
If you can ignore the Wonderland-ish trappings, this is a cute story of a tiny dormouse lost in the big city and making new friends as he tries to find his way home.
If you can ignore the Wonderland-ish trappings, this is a cute story of a tiny dormouse lost in the big city and making new friends as he tries to find his way home.
September 26, 2019
As a longtime Cara Hoffman fan, was so excited to read this. Hoffman’s love and understanding of New York City and its wide variety of weirdos is clear. The narrative voice is beautiful, as is the use of song. Can’t wait to hear the audiobook, too! Will be buying a copy of Bernard for every kid in my life.
October 15, 2019
A delightful, captivating exploration of the life of the Dormouse from Wonderland. Bernard, as escapes the Mad Hatters tea party only to get caught up in a terrible plot to freeze time in NYC. This is NYC from a mouses view. The lights, the subway, the people that make New York such a unique city, are all explored from a ground-level sight line. Adorable, engaging and entrancing.
December 2, 2020
The story was amazing and I loved the ending. Seeing New York from Bernard's point of view was really interesting. I loved the singing and the world-building. I loved listening to it. Spoiler alert: I loved that they didn't make Mittens the bad guy. Every time someone said something bad about him, I was holding my breath.
December 1, 2021
Cover illustration was only thing I liked about this book. I read it aloud to my daughter and couldn’t wait for it to be over. So dumb. Poorly executed half idea and just not written in any kind of engaging way. I yawned my way through it. My 9 year old daughter on the other hand says she enjoyed it.
December 31, 2021
I definitely read my fair share of Wonderland based books, but I'd never expected to find one about the Dormouse so adorable. I only even bought it because the name made me chuckle, but, I have to say, I'm glad I finished off my year the same way I started- with a Wonderland book I won't be soon to forget
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