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...written
by Michael Ambrosio and illustrated by Bob
Langan, are delightful stories for preschool
to early readers. Language used is
simple, understandable, and engages both
parent and child. Ambrosio’s prose
personifies the personal touch of years
of making up bedtime stories for his own
children. Langan, a fifteen-year veteran
of illustration and animation, has chosen
a colorful comicbook style, similar to illustrations
by Jack Kent and Stan and Jan Berenstain,
that will attract young eyes. Highly
recommended for picture book collections.
-
Kim Harris, Librarian, Churchville, New
York, Christian Library Journal, July 2003
*****
This
is an enchanting and beautifully illustrated
little book for young readers or for parents,
grandparents and great-grandparents to read
to their little ones.
Nutsy, a nut-loving
little squirrel, learns a lesson about minding
parents and the sometimes scary consequences
when you don't. He also learns the value
of a heartfelt prayer and the miracle of
being granted a second chance.
-
Francie Hill, Ringling Eagle (OK),
November 2002
*****
"I
Don't Want to be Lunch" is a delightful
tale about a young squirrel named Nutsy
that momentarily forgets his mother's orders
to stay in their tree. Instead, Nustsy jumps
to the ground to get the biggest and most
beautiful nut he has ever seen. Nutsy does
not mean to disobey but the nut is too tempting.
Learn what Nutsy gets into and how he gets
out of trouble in this wonderful and colorful
adventure. Recommended for all children.
-
Dr. Kathleen Kain, Scientist and Educator,
August 2002
*****
The
summer of 2002 has been a wonderful year
for reading. I've found numberous intereseting
books without searching hard. In fact, my
quiet time has been pleasantly occupied
by literature sent to this newspaper for
review. The following book continued the
fun.
A
dad who spent years taking bedtime story
requests became an author of children's
books when LionX Publishing Inc. produced
Michael Ambrosio's "I Don't Want to
Be Lunch!"
"I
Don't Want to Be Lunch!" is about Nutsy,
a squirrel with more than a hunger for nuts.
He is NUTS about nuts. Because of his nut-obsession,
Nutsy will face a dangerous temptation today.
He must make a choice between obeying his
mother of going after the most awesome nut
he has ever seen - the "nut of all
nuts."
When
he disobeys his mom, Nutsy finds himself
in peril of being the lunch of a huge, hungry
bear. There is only one good thing about
this bad experience. Nutsy discovers the
power of prayer. He has been taught that
God is merciful even to disobedient children.
Today, he will see how big God truly is.
Kids
will thoroughly enjoy how God rescues Nutsy
from his "near-lunch" experience.
Much of the credit for the joy of reading
"I Dont' Want to Be Lunch!" goes
to the illustrations by Bob Langan. His
paintings indelibly imprint the essence
of each moment of the adventure.
Parents
who believe that God helps His disobedient
children - all children - when they pray
will find Ambrosio's story a perfect way
to reinforce that message to their children.
-
John Scott Cooper, Waycross Journal-Herald,
(Georgia), July 2002
*****
Rating: 4 stars
Comment: Recommended
This book is a story about a little squirrel
named Nutsy. He loves nuts so much that he doesn’t listen to his
mother about staying at their tree-home, as there is a large bear
around. As he is flying from one branch to another, he sees the
biggest nut he has ever seen in his whole life on the ground.
As you can guess, he is tempted and lands on
the ground only to face a large growling bear ready to have him as
lunch. But Nutsy is a good boy after all. He prays and God sends him
a squirrel even larger than the bear to protect him from being
preyed.
Thumbs up for the spiritual touch to this
educational illustrated hardcover. Teaching children to believe in
God and miracles using a humorous story and witty (and naughty!)
character is exemplary. This book has the rare children’s
spirituality touch.
-
Jennie S. Bev, BookReviewClub.com,
June 2002
Reviewed by Jennie S. Bev, a writer and
instructional designer based in San Francisco Bay Area. She is the
author of Guide to
Become a Management Consultant published by FabJob.com
(named #1 place to get published online according to Writer's
Digest, January 2002). She can also be found online at WritingGigs.com.
She is the Managing Editor of BookReviewClub.com.
*****
The
main character in this charming book is
Nutsy the squirrel. Nutsy loves nuts! One
morning Nutsy's mother warns him not to
leave the tree because a large bear has
been seen nearby and it is not safe to venture
out into the woods. As most youngsters do
Nutsy did not listen to his mother and yielded
to temptation when he saw the biggest nut
he had ever seen. It was so tempting it
seemed to glow as it beckoned to him. Unable
to resist Nutsy is drawn to it.
Just
as he reaches the nut he hears a thundering
ROAR and GROWL! It is the bear and Nutsy
realizes he will not be having lunch. He
will be lunch! Falling to his knees Nutsy
begins to pray. Suddenly a fifteen-foot
squirrel appears to save Nutsy from the
vicious bear.
Numerous
lessons can be taught using this book as
a guide. Always listen to your mother, try
to resist temptation, and know that you
are never alone. This beautifully illustrated
book is available at your local bookstore
or on Amaazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com.
-
Shirley LaBusier, The Nashville News,
(Illinois), May 22, 2002
*****
Nutsy's Mom explains
to him that he must stay in the trees today because a large bear has been
seen in the neighborhood, and bears do eat squirrels. Nutsy, being a good
little squirrel, does try to mind and stay in the trees. He runs along
branches and flies through the air from branch to branch, until suddenly,
he spots the nut of all nuts. He just couldn't resist, and suddenly, there
he was, on the forest floor, hugging the delicious, awesome acorn. The
hungry bear discovers him there and considers Nutsy for lunch.
Michael Ambrosio mixes
humor with adventure in this unique tale with a "mind your Mom"
moral and a bit of a religious theme when he prays for rescue. Bob Langan's
clever illustrations add a marvelous visual banquet to the lunch table.
A truly delightful book for read-aloud fun; one that kids will love to
go back to again and again.
-
Beverly J. Rowe, MyShelf.Com,
May 2002
*****
I
Don't Want to Be Lunch! is a most delightful
children's book about "Nutsy,"
a flying squirrel. It is beautifully illustrated!
I loved it! "Nutsy" had
"one" weakness - nuts! He
had made a promise to his mother, a promise
he failed to keep. Too late, he realizes
mother knows best. Even though he spots
the biggest, ripest nut he has ever seen,
he realizes the danger he finds himself
in. He doesn't want to become lunch. So,
"Nutsy" prays to God as best as
a scared little squirrel could.
Read this
charming book to find out how "Nutsy"
was rescued. This book teaches your child
- without being preachy. It explains in
words your children can understand. It has
become one of my 4 year-old granddaughter's
favorites - also one of mine.
-
Linda Hanning, The Lebanon (MO.) Daily
Record, April 21, 2002
*****
We
are human and we make mistakes. No question
about it, we are not perfect. But what do
you do once you make a mistake and find
yourself in a compromising position? No
one likes to be in tight situations, but
once you are, where can you turn? One person
for certain you can turn to is God. And
in the children's picture book "I Don't
Want to Be Lunch" by Michael Ambrosio,
a little squirrel named Nutsy learns that
valuable lesson.
Nutsy,
who is sweetly drawn by illustrator Bob
Langan, makes a poor decision to disobey
his mother and go after a huge acorn. He
knows he isn't supposed to leave the tree,
but temptation gives in. Then, he finds
himself in a position he doesn't know how
to get out of - a huge bear is towering
over him, ready to eat him and his
acorn. So Nutsy does the only thing he knows
how - cries out for help. One person hears
him - God. And Nutsy's life is changed forever.
The
lesson of the book is to show children that
no matter what your mistake, it's never
too late to cry out for help; plus, listen
to your parents. And when reading this book
to your children, explain that God knows
when we need him and when we are in trouble.
God even knows every hair on our head.
Parents
will find this book a good tool for children
to remember to obey parents at all times,
but when you do make a mistake, ask God
for help.
-
Kara Bussabarger, Editor, New Albany
Tribune, April 10, 2002
*****
Wonderfully
illustrated, with a captivating story, I
Don't Want to Be Lunch! combines humor,
adventure and a very comforting ending.
You just have to fall in love with Nutsy.
He is adorable and brings out the best about
the innocence of childhood. Every child
will love watching Nutsy escape from his
"near-lunch" experience.
-
La Voz Newspaper, April 4, 2002
*****
I Don'tWant
to Be Lunch!
is a new book for young people - it has
a lesson for adults as well - telling the
story of a neat little squirrel by the name
of Nutsy. Like all youngsters, he has a
tendency to get into trouble and not listen
to his mother.
The book,
written by Michael Ambrosio, and illustrated
by Bob Langan, is a picture book for ages
3-9 with 36 pages in hardcover costing $16.95,
published by LionX Publishing, ISBN 0-9716085-0-4.
The story
is that Nusy falls prey to temptation. It's
a fun book that all of us can identify with
and is recommended reading.
-
Mac
McKinnon, Publisher, The Fort Morgan Times,
April 4, 2002
*****
Nutsy is a playful, carefree squirrel. One day, before going out
to play, his mother warns him of a bear in the woods and tells him not to
leave the tree. Nutsy obeys his mother and has a great time surfing
on his tail, traveling from limb to limb, but when he spots one of the biggest
acorns he has ever seen, he has to make a huge decision. Should he listen
to his mother and not leave the tree, or should he leave the tree, only for
a few seconds, to gather the nut? I won't spoil the ending by telling
you what Nutsy decided, but I will tell you that you'll be satisfied by the
time you get to the end of this riveting book.
What do you think
Nutsy should do? Find out what he chooses by reading Michael Ambrosio's delightful
book I DON'T WANT TO BE LUNCH!
I DON'T WANT TO BE LUNCH is a story that helps children realize
that they aren't the only ones that have problems to solve. Michael Ambrosio
has written a charming story that will encourage children to make the right
decision when they are faced with such a problem. As a reviewer,
author and mother to three children, I found the encouraging lessons taught
in I DON'T WANT TO BE LUNCH are an important and valuable trait to install
in children today. I enjoyed reading the adventure of Nutsy the squirrel
to my children, and by their wide eyes and smiling faces, I assume they enjoyed
it, as well.
Michael Ambrosio has written the "I Don't…" series of children's
picture books after having several near-lunch experiences himself. Using
playful creatures, his message is clear, and the tale is enhanced by the
comical illustrations by Bob Langan.
Michael lives with his wife and five children in Folsom, California.
-Jennifer LB Leese @ ASTORYWEAVERs Book Reviews,
April 2002
*****
Charmingly written by Michael Ambrosio and vividly illustrated by Bob Langan, "I Don't Want To
Be Lunch!" is a vividly presented children's picturebook, marked by boldly colorful illustrations and
simple yet engaging prose. When a young squirrel who is nuts over tasty nuts disobeys his mother
and ventures from the safety of the tree, a big bear threatens to eat him for lunch! God himself
comes to the rescue in the form of a 15-foot squirrel in this enthusiastic and remarkable story. "I
Don't Want To Be Lunch!" is a welcome addition to any family, school or community library
picturebook collection for young readers.
-
Midwest Book Review,
April 2002
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