Nimpentoad

by Henry L. Herz, Harrison Herz (Contributor), Bill Maus (Illustrator)

Nimpentoad is the tale of a courageous and resourceful little Nibling who leads his tribe through the perilous Grunwald forest, overcoming obstacles and encountering strange creatures along the way. Nimpentoad is an engaging story with fantastic illustrations, and positive lessons of teamwork, creativity, perseverance and leadership.

Nimpentoad is an early chapter book intended for kids 7-9.

For more info, see www.nimpentoad.com

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Short Stories, Education

40 pages, Paperback

Published February 10, 2012

About the author

Henry Herz wrote the traditionally published picture books: MONSTER GOOSE NURSERY RHYMES (Pelican, 2015; Best Picture Book at SoCal SCBWI Editor’s Day), WHEN YOU GIVE AN IMP A PENNY (Pelican, 2016), MABEL AND THE QUEEN OF DREAMS (Schiffer, 2016; Finalist, Foreword Indies Best Picture Book), LITTLE RED CUTTLEFISH (Pelican, 2016), CAP’N REX & HIS CLEVER CREW (Sterling, 2017), GOOD EGG AND BAD APPLE (Schiffer, 2018), HOW THE SQUID GOT TWO LONG ARMS (Pelican, 2018), ALICE’S MAGIC GARDEN (Familius, 2018), 2 PIRATES + 1 ROBOT (Kane Miller, 2019), I AM SMOKE (Tilbury House, 2021, ALA Children's Notable Book), I AM GRAVITY (Tilbury House, 2024), I AM LIGHT (Tilbury House, 2026), and I AM WIND (Tilbury House, 2026)

Henry’s short stories for children and adults will/have appeared in Daily Science Fiction, Weird Tales, Pseudopod, Metastellar, Highlights for Children, Ladybug Magazine, and anthologies from Albert Whitman & Co., Blackstone Publishing, Brigid’s Gate Press, Air and Nothingness Press, Baen Books, Titan Books, and elsewhere. He has curated and edited eight anthologies.

Reviews

[Masquerade Crew · Rating 5 out of 5]

SHARON'S REVIEW


Nimpentoad is a children's picture book in a fairytale type format, which is geared to being read out loud to young children. The story follows a group of creatures called Niblings. They are the smallest creatures in the forest, so they get picked on, and sometimes even eaten by bigger creatures. Nimpentoad is a Nibling that comes up with a plan to find a safer home for the group. This plan involves finding a giant on the other side of the forest. There are many obstacles and dangers on this journey, but Nimpentoad is up to the challenge, and leads them through.

The graphics of this story are amazing. The bigger creatures are a little bit scary for very young children, but probably not scary enough to produce nightmares. I particularly like the description of Niblings as being waist high to adult humans. That would be approximately the size of the average five year old, which would be one of the target ages for this story. Children can relate to the trials of the small Niblings, because they are small themselves. There's quite a bit of simple humour which will appeal to kids. There's also a part about mushrooms where the story asks the reader directly if they like mushrooms. That makes the reader (or young listener) a part of the story. I like the way the the authors get children involved.

Nimpentoad is not just an entertaining story, it's a teaching vehicle that introduces the moral values of courage, leadership, teamwork, friendship and trust. It also suggests family type caring relationships, even when the participants aren't related. At one point the Niblings build a vehicle that works by pedal power. Children from toddlerhood upwards would be familiar with pedal toys to get around. That is one more way that this wonderful tale relates to kids. The giant in this story represents a protective adult. The Niblings will help him do things he cannot. This gives the idea of cooperation towards a common goal. I really like that.

This charming and endearing tale is rather unique in that it was partially written by children, for children. Henry Herz and his two young sons Josh and Harrison, wrote this lovely fantasy story together. It's a picture book with amazing images that will settle in the minds of children forever. Young children equate stories with the pictures that go with them. Humpty Dumpty and various other images from Mother Goose have stayed with me since I was a toddler, and I am now a senior citizen. I believe that the story and the pictures of Nimpentoad have the same lasting power and universal appeal of established nursery rhymes and fairytales. I absolutely recommend it for four to seven year olds.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Subtle lessons beautifully taught!

Nimpentoad is a beautifully written and illustrated fantasy adventure book for children. It is a subtle way to teach lessons about friendship, trust, courage, and thinking through situations. Herz also includes manners and trying new vegetables! I bet children actually eat vegetables after reading this story.

Nimpentoad is a Nibling and he lives in Grunwald Forest. There are many other creatures that live in the forest, some are nice and some are not. Niblings are very small and because of this they are picked on a lot every day in the forest.

Finally, Nimpentoad has had enough bullying. He comes up with a plan to travel with all the other Niblings to live with Goofus the Giant. His plan is to help the Giant do all the things he can’t because he is too big. So children also learn being small has advantages, especially after seeing the Nibling’s being bullied for so long because they were small.

It’s a hard journey traveling through the forest and meeting up with all the other creatures who bully them. It took them five days, traveling a mile a day. This is where they all have to trust Nimpentoad and work together through the unexpected problems that come up.

I recommend Nimpentoad for ages five and up. Even adults will appreciate the humor.

It was written by Henry Herz and his two sons, Josh and Harrison, who are in elementary school. I think this is worthy of sharing with the children who read Nimpentoad.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This delightful little book is full of great illustrations in each chapter that are just as beautiful as the cover. While the book only took me perhaps 10 minutes to read, I lingered over the illustrations. I believe this book will appeal to small kids for the illustrations alone, and for the silly names and adventures also. Built into the story line are lessons on various polite manners, such as chewing with your mouth closed, along with the more serious theme of bullying. I also enjoyed that the three authors are a family team in creating this story.

For me personally, as an adult in my 30s, I enjoyed how many mushrooms (delectable, not hallucinatory) that the Nibblings cooked & consumed in various ways. For each malevolent group of bullies they came across, they met the problem a different way each time, showing inventiveness and the ability to flex with the circumstances. And then there are the illustrations. I know. I keep coming back to them, but they truly are gorgeous.

If I must talk about the short comings of the book, there is only one that comes to mind. As an adult reading this, the obvious lessons in manners and on bullying occasionally eclipse the adventure story of making it safely through the woods. I myself prefer more subtlety, but this is a book written for small kids and subtlety would probably be lost on that age group.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having been contacted by Henry to read and review Nimpentoad, after reading the description I gladly accepted. If I would of had a copy of Nimpentoad when I was a child, it would of been one of my favorite books. Goblins, giant wolves, Orcs, Rhinotaurs are some of the creatures the little Niblings encounter on their travels through the Grunwald Forest. They might not sound like anything to fear, unless you are a Nibling! Niblings are the smallest of creatures found in the forest, and peculiar they are. They love mushrooms, berries, and bug eggs and they are great cooks. Because they are so small, they are on their way to Goofus the Giant's castle to ask if they can work for him in exchange for protection from the other forest creatures. After all, being the smallest creatures they get picked on and made fun of by the other forest creatures. Their path is full of adventure, bravery, and imagination, thanks to a Nibling named Nimpentoad!

A short little story with many lessons, I can't wait to read this to my daycare children! The descriptions are so vibrant, the story is easy to imagine in your mind. Written by a father and his two elementary age sons, this tale is sure to be a favorite for young and old! Highly recommended!

[Sadie Forsythe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would give this 4.5 if I could. A strong 5 for the artwork and a 4 for the story. Nimpentoad has many strengths, not least of which is the beautiful artwork (if you can call pictures of goblins, orcs, and trolls beautiful). Eddingfield and Maus really out did themselves. The story itself is interesting and engaging, with a conversational tone. As we follow the adventure of the Niblings through Grunwald Forest small lessons are slipped in. Children learn the danger of not following directions and the rudeness of eating with their mouth open, numbers and colors are introduced, and the fun of eating vegetables declared. It does feel a little rushed, as Nimpentoad outsmarts one forest species after another in quick succession with very little in between, but I doubt a child would notice. All-in-all a beautifully drawn and fun story for children.

[Yaritza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received the book from the writer himself.I totally enjoyed this book. To have such a character that is small but smarter than all the bigger creatures was hilarious. It was great that Nimpentoad came up with such excellent ideas that kept all the Niblings safe. A very quick book to read and totally awesome pictures. Description of the characters definitely portrayed the characters in the pictures. Thanks for giving me a chance to have read such an adventure...

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a cute children's story that teaches a lot of good lessons in a short few pages. i loved nimpentoad's resourcefulness and also the good teaching moments that young children need to hear. for those with young kids who love a cute adventure, then this book is for you! :)

[Anita W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nimpentoad written by Henry L. Herz and his Sons – Josh and Harrison Herz, with art work by Sean Eddingfield and Bill Maus
Amazon rates this book with “5 stars.” It is a wonderful, sci-fi fantasy; early chapter book, and I believe that elementary age children, five through ten years old, will absolutely love it.
The story and the art work are creative and rich. Nimpentoad will capture the attention of young readers and hold it, and they will be left wishing for more. Perhaps there’ll be a sequel? Many children and parents will be hoping that the answer is “yes!”
The authors and I agree that Nimpentoad promotes creativity, perseverance, teamwork and leadership. As a past teacher, I especially love the parent list of suggestions about how to best utilize the different parts of the book so that it can be as beneficial as possible to each child. For instance, under “manners,” Dimbal, who is a Nibling (the book’s main creatures) and Nimpentoad’s friend, chews with his mouth open. You have the opportunity to talk with your child about etiquette when they are eating and the importance of keeping their mouth closed. This book truly goes to great lengths to make its story work at every level.
The art work is exquisite. You can see an example of the art work and read more about the author and his work at www.nimpentoad.com.
Nimpletoad helps the Niblings as they travel a long distance through the Grunwald Forest to reach the giant who lives in his humongous castle at the forest’s other side. The giant is very large (hence the term “giant”!), and the Niblings are very small. The giant has a problem that Nimpentoad, the leader of the Niblings, has realized that his peers can help the giant solve. But good deeds come with rewards, and you will have to read the book to find how the Niblings and the giant end up.
As you might easily imagine, being a Nibling, one of the smallest creatures in the forest, has its drawbacks. Just a walk through the forest can turn into quite an adventure. According to the story, Niblings are skinny and short and just about knee-high to an adult human. This leaves them vulnerable to the bigger and more vicious predators lurking about.

The Niblings have to deal with all sorts of creatures, such as “the Forest Goblins,” “the Neebels,” “the Forest Orcs,” and, last but certainly not least, “the Giant Scorpions.” The children will love reading about how and if the Niblings escape, and all that they have to deal with in this venture.
But there are also advantages to being small, as Niblings are close to the ground and can find things that have been dropped, or “tasty mushrooms that grow among the fallen leaves of the forest floor.” You will also learn that the Niblings love to cook. In fact, your child may find a recipe for “poached termite eggs” just waiting for them. Oh so YUMMY, right?
I believe that both our authors and artists have done an amazing job of describing the creatures in this book. The art work is so inspiring that your child will be asking for a sketch book and colored pencils to illustrate their own visualizations of these creatures, or ones that they come up with themselves. So they will not only spend hours reading and re-reading Nimpentoad; if so inclined they will indulge in making their own drawings and adventure with “Nimpentoad” and the rest of the Niblings.
You can buy his book at Amazon for $10.50 in paperback or on Kindle (which I read, and it is beautifully done) for $2.99. I must admit to my traditional nature of wanting to have an actual book in my hands, but I’m slowly switching over to e-books for the convenience of enlarging the font and storing the multitude of books that I read. And of course this technology lets you order and receive it from the comfort of your bedroom, while in your pjs. At least when it comes to books and convenience, “these” truly are the “good old days.”
If you enjoyed J.K. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit,” this book would give your younger child the same type of experience at their level. It is a spectacular story with enriching illustrations in which you get to see the artists’ rendition of Nimpentoad and many of the creatures that the Niblings encounter. These include “the Giant Scorpions” that seethe evil and danger through my Ipad’s screen.
This book would save you on a rainy Saturday and give your child hours of sensational fun and enjoyment. And if you are looking for some basket stuffers as Easter is coming up soon, I would request that the Bunny Rabbit put Nimbentoad in your child’s basket.
Our authors Henry Herz and his sons Josh and Harrison are rising stars. There is no doubt that we will read much more about them in the future. With utmost certainty, I agree with Amazon and award this book “5 out of 5 tiaras.” It not only creates a wonderful reading opportunity for your child, but it gives them detailed and enticing art work in which to delve. They will learn new words, and you will have the chance to be involved with your child’s learning valuable concepts that can make a positive difference over their entire lives.
Needless to say, I am most impressed. I wish the authors and the artists good luck in their future work, and I wish you and your child endless hours of learning!
Blessings! anita of anitabook.com.

[Brian Wilkerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many things I like about this story. There's the storytelling atmosphere, the child-like yet intelligent prose, the pictures that bring the story to life, the well-built setting, and Nimpentoad himself.


The story is written as though someone was telling the story to someone else. This adds character and warmth to the writing that makes the story feel 'fuller'. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the Narrator is as much a character as anyone else. Now that I've finished the story and thought about it the story itself could be a nipling scholar telling some far off future generation about why they live in a castle with a giant.


The wording and sentence structure are simple but filled with knowledge and detail. Going off the above paragraph, its like the scholar is doing this deliberately for his much younger audience. There are sound effects in parenthesis that make me smile with their cute/cheesiness. Some phrases are also repeated with each segment, which gives the story a kind of poetic epic structure; again like a national 'origin story' for the nipling.


The pictures are gorgeous, well, as gorgeous as giant scorpions and forest orcs can be anyway. Each picture shows off the various races inhabiting the forest but not the actions they take. Its imagination fonder for the reader. They get to paint the actions themselves.


The setting is surprisingly well built for such a short children's story. The forest is continually developed by the plants that grow inside it (Niplings are very good cooks) and the breakdown of the society is quickly set up and developed further as the Niplings travel. Its perfect for the background of the story, and even better, an older reader can appreciate nuances that younger ones might not get and debate them on websites like TVTropes.


And, finally, Nimpentoad himself. The story says earlier on that he's the smartest of the Niplings and he demonstrates this every day on their journey. His craftiness saves them time and again. Its like he's their Trickster Figure; creating new ideas, changing their way of life, surviving on his wits instead of brawn.


Bottom Line: If I were five years old again, I'd want my mom and dad to read this to me and they would enjoy it as much as I would.

This review can also be found at http://trickstereric.blogspot.com

[Sarah Coburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delight to read a piece of children’s literature! At university I studied a module titled ‘Children’s Literature’ and it was very insightful to learn about the techniques and subtle morals planted within children's stories and so it is great to revist this type of book. As a child I loved to read stories about adventures, escaping the wrath of monsters with your friends and eventually beating the badies! Nimpentoad makes no exception when it comes to an action-packed tale that is suited for children. Its interesting and colourful graphics make the book visually exciting for kids and the story is easy to follow and is understandable. The story is fun and yet creates just the right amount of suspense for a children’s story. It is based in Grunwald Forest and follows the adventures of some Niblings – ‘the smallest creatures in Grunwald Forest’. Unfortunately because the Nimblings are the smallest creatures in Grunwald Forest, they often become victims to the bullying ways of the larger creatures – who have been known to eat Niblings!! Nimpentoad who is the bravest Nibling forms a cunning plan that entails them all venturing over to visit Goofus the grumpy Giant and in exchange for their protection – because the Niblings are so small and vulnerable - the Niblings will help out with all of Goofus’ chores that he cannot cater to because he is so big; for example, turning the pages of his books! The adventure that the Niblings face whilst trekking to Goofus’ castle is a tough one, they face ambushes and the trials and tribulations of the mean forest dwellers such as forest Goblins, Orcs, Neebels and many many more.

This is a wonderful book and I think that it is great for children; it is exciting, fun and portrays courage, teamwork and good winning over bad! A must-read, even if you are not a kid!

[Grampy · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Nimpentoad” is a cooperative effort by Henry, Joshua, and Harrison Herz. It is a somewhat interactive storybook for children, set in an alternate world. The main character is Nimpentoad, who happens to be a Nibling, but not just an ordinary Nibling. Nimpentoad is smarter than the average Nibling, and uses his greater intelligence to protect the entire Nibling population from a variety of dangers, leading them to an ultimate state of permanent safety. With Forest Goblins, Neebels, Forest Orcs, Giant Scorpions, Rhinotaurs, Giant Wolves, and Forest Trolls standing between them and safety, how did Nimpentoad manage to save his people? Nimpentoad thought Goofus the Giant would help protect them, but he was putting all his faith in an untested guess. What if he was wrong, and Goofus decided to eat the Niblings, instead of helping them? Even before they got to Goofus, how did Nimpentoad intend to get the Niblings safely past all the other creatures who would love nothing better than a good Nibling sandwich?

This was a cute story. It is interactive, insofar as there are a number of places where the adult reader can pause to involve the child in an “oh no, what will they do now?” manner. Nimpentoad comes up with some clever ways to trick each gang of creatures who present a challenge to their safety at the moment. At these times, the adult reader could ask the child, “how do you think they will get past the (xyz’s) without being eaten?”, thus stimulating the child to think about possible solutions. I recommend this book to anyone – parent, grand-parent, baby-sitter, or God-parent – who might be in a position to read a story to younger children. “Nimpentoad” is pretty ideal for that purpose, and helps the child learn to think about actions and consequences.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nimpentoad (Henry, Josh & Harrison Herz, 2011; available on Amazon) is a lovely, illustrated tale about dear Nimpentoad’s adventure to lead his fellow Niblings through the oft dangerous Grunwald Forest in a journey for their survival. Throughout the journey, Nimpentoad and his friends encounter various creatures that have both strengths and weaknesses that Nimpentoad must use to keep his friend safe.

This book does what many children’s books try, and sometimes fail, to do: teaches life lessons about teamwork, problem solving, and critical thinking, without any of these features of the story overtaking the story arc. This story is about Nimpentoad and the trust that he gains from the Niblings through good decision-making and smart leadership. It is the story of making a plan, encountering challenges, and being both brave and flexible in difficult and sometimes scary circumstances. The characters are not infallible – both the “good guys” and the “bad guys” are presented with strengths and weaknesses that they use to their advantage in Grunwald Forest. The balanced presentation of diverse characters is rather a good lesson for children, and parents will find this story a joy to share. Illustrations in this book are colorful and vivid, capturing the spirit of the journey that the Niblings take through the forest.

Overall, a delightful book to see, read, and experience, with developmentally appropriate themes and an exciting story.

[Melanie Adkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grunwald Forest is full of creatures. Many aren't very nice. They like to bully and be mean to the other creatures. Niblings are the smallest and the Giant is the biggest. The Niblings had to hide often because so many wanted to eat them. Nimpentoad was the smartest and bravest Nibling. He knew if they could get the Giant to agree to join forces with them, they would be safe. The Niblings could do the things a clumsy Giant couldn't and the Giant could protect the Niblings from all other creatures. The Niblings decide to make the long journey to the castle to talk to Goofus the Giant. Along the journey they run into many creatures who could harm them, but Nimpentoad usually had an idea of how to stop them. Did they make it to the castle and what did Goofus say to their plan?

This is one of those books your children will read again and again. The delightful characters and lesson teaching story are wonderful. You won't find creepy, scary creatures in this book, just ones your children can relate to easily. My daughter thought this book was really good and said she would definitely share it with the school librarian and teachers. You'll want to get this one for your children. Geared to kids 6-9 it's actually a wonderful read for any age.

I gave this one 5 out of 5 books because it is definitely the next kids bestseller.

[K.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of all the creatures in the Grunwald Forest, Niblings are the smallest and weakest physically. Tired of getting bullied, or worse, eaten by an Orc for dinner, they embark on a journey to make a deal with a giant. They are led by one brave and resourceful Nibling named Nimpentoad, who repeatedly saves his fellow Niblings from all manner of creatures, including wolves and goblins, with his quick thinking.

Targeted at children ages 5-10, Nimpentoad was written by Henry Herz and his two sons. This creative little story sends the message that bullying is not nice, which is poignant during a time where bullying issues are very much at the forefront of our culture. It also conveys the benefits of perseverance, resourcefulness and playing to the strengths given to you.

As a fantasy-fiction fanatic, I found this tale charming and am looking forward to sharing this story with my own son. I also loved the artwork and actually wished there had been more pictures, as it was fantastically detailed and worthy of the creatures being depicted.

Despite the many fearsome situations the brave little Niblings find themselves in, they complete their quest and find their friendly giant in the end. I think most children would delight in this imaginative story and its wholesome life messages. This is just me, but for kids I recommend going with the print edition.

[A.E. Curzon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story begins in Grunwald Forest where the Niblings live. Niblings are dexterous little creatures who love to cook. They are not, however, very popular with the others of the forest. In fact, they are continuously picked on and pushed around. The forest is also inhabited by Orcs and Goblins and Neebles, to name but a few, and each and every one has had a go at the Niblings. The Niblings are tired of this and decide to seek help from the Goofus, the giant who lives in the castle. Where Niblings are very nimble-fingered, Goofus is downright clumsy. They sensibly decide they each have something to offer the other. They could help Goofus around the castle with the everyday tasks he fails at so often, and so miserably, and he in turn could protect them from the mean bullies. The challenge is to get through to the castle before anyone has them for supper. There are many tests along the way, but Niblings, it seems, are very clever and resourceful, and the large mean bullies are not.
This is a sweet little adventure story with appealing illustrations. It is well written, original and funny. There are some great names for some of the creatures and the descriptions are wonderful. It shows how teamwork can overcome the bullies and how using your brain is often better than fighting. This is a great little book for readers aged 5 to perhaps 9 or 10 years old.

[K.L. Bernard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Niblings, the smallest and most clever of creatures, lived in Grunwald Forest many years ago. Niblings were also excellent cooks and very skilled with their small hands. There was just one problem they faced more often that not, and that is they were picked on by all the other forest creatures who were bigger than they were. The Niblings were picked on by Goblins, Neebles, Orcs and a few other big, scary and smelly creatures that would often want to eat the Niblings. Nimpentoad, the smartest of the Niblings, had an idea that would keep them all safe forever. The grand idea that Nimpentoad devised was to go to the castle of Goofus the giant. Once there, they could help with cooking and cleaning and turning the pages of the giants favorite books. You see, Goofus was so big and clumsy he needed help. For the Niblings it would be a dangerous journey and a race against time to get to Goofus before any creatures could eat them.

Herz brings together a curiously funny story for young readers. Simple sentences with fun descriptive scenes and characters will keep young readers engaged and thrilled. Parents and teachers can happily encourage boys to read, giggle and root for Nimepentoad, the underdog.

[Marilou George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nimpentoad is a wonderful children’s book that will inspire both children and adults. Niblings are the smallest creatures in the Grunwald Forest and are often ridiculed and poked fun at. Nimpentoad, the bravest of the niblings, decides to make a deal with Goofus the Giant to help him out with certain tasks in return for his protection. He leads the niblings on a 5 day journey thru the Grunwald Forest to meet Goofus. The group encounters some obstacles along the way but they trust Nimpentoad their leader and he leads them on to meet with Goofus.

This charming book is one of that children will read and never tire of. With some charming and not so charming characters it will teach children valuable lessons as they enjoy the story. The characters are totally relatable for children and the illustrations are magnificent.

I feel that this is a great book for children and I would recommend it wholeheartedly. It is an exciting and well written book that children will love. They will feel like they are part of the adventure.I will be purchasing a copy to read and give to my Granddaughter!

[Becca Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute picture book with elaborate fantasy-style illustrations. The artwork was excellent but the storytelling fell a little short for me. There were a bit too many interjected comments from the narrator within the text of the story that interrupted the flow. The plot wasn’t exceptionally strong and the climax was a little quick and not very tense. However, I am an adult and the book is geared for children. Because of that, I didn’t feel that my opinion was quite final (although important, none the less). So I took it to my seven year old son.

He read the book easily in three or four sittings (there are around ten chapters, I believe). After we’d finished it together, I asked what he thought and he said he really liked it. He even said he liked it better than the Magic Tree House Books (the series he’s been reading). He also enjoyed looking at the pictures and was amused/entertained by the illustrations of the Nimblings.

I give the book 3 stars and my son gives it 5 stars, thus I’ve averaged them for a final rating of 4 stars.

***I was given a free copy by the author in exchange for posting my honest review***

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nimpentoad by Henry L. Herz, Sean Eddingfield, Bill Maus, and Joshua Herz is an entertaining tale of a little creature named Nimpentoad who cleverly leads his fellow Niblings on a grand adventure in search of a safe place to call home.

Nimpentoad is a Nibling and lives in Grunwald Forest with many other fascinating, but not always so friendly creatures. Niblings "are
skinny and short – about waist-high to an
adult human." Due to their small size they often get picked on by the other forest inhabitants. Finally, Nimpentoad decides he has had enough and convinces the other Niblings to travel to the castle of Goofus the Giant. He tells them Goofus can protect them from the bullies of the forest and in turn they will help Goofus with cooking, cleaning and reading...things that are much to difficult for a giant. The journey is long and dangerous, but Nimpentoad is determined. Will he lead the others to safety or directly into harms way?

Nimpentoad is a fantastic adventure that also teaches children that even the smallest person or creature can make a big difference.

Pick up a copy of Nimpentoad at www.amazon.com.

[Anna Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by Henry and his two sons, Josh and Harrison, Nimpentoad is the story of a smart young Nibling and how he leads his tribe through the dangerous Grunwald Forest in search of safety. During the trip, he saves his fellow Niblings from being eaten by goblins, trolls, orcs and other scary creatures.

Nimpentoad is geared towards children aged 5 - 10 years and reads as if it was meant to be read aloud to young children, accompanied by illustrations by Sean Eddingfield and Bill Maus.

I find the Herz family highly creative and descriptive in their writing style. It’s a great primer to introduce children to the wonders of the fantasy genre, whilst being very educational about the benefits of listening (or you may just attract the Forest Goblins passing by), creative thinking (that Pedal Chariot really saved them a lot of time!), obedience and trust (Nimpentoad’s instructions didn’t always make sense right away - but they worked).

Overall, a very interesting read.

[Jesse Kimmel-Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are some books out there that all children should get to experience, whether it's by having it read to them or reading it themselves. This is one of those. My five year old son loves it and my two year old daughter sits through a lot of it- which says a lot. The artwork is beautiful (makes me think of World of Warcraft on the little troll guys). The message is powerful.

The entire book is inspirational because young kids wrote it. They had a dream and put it out there for the world to see. That in itself is amazing. The fact that the story is awesome and holds kids attention and has a great message behind it, makes this book a must have.

It's short enough for young readers, and I hope that when the authors get older that they'll write YA because I think they would make great YA fantasy writers as well.

I highly recommend this book to all parents and young readers. It's a great read!

[Charlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short, illustrated fantasy book for young children. I reviewed a kindle version of this book which I don’t recommend if you want to appreciate the detail and artistry of the illustrations of the Niblings and the strange and dangerous creatures they encounter on their quest to see the Giant. It’s a simple story that I can see engaging children, especially with the aid of the illustrations, and I found the main character, Nimpentoad, to be a strong, smart and likable hero to lead his people. I also appreciated a children’s story that introduced so many well known fantasy characters to children - trolls, orcs, and giants - and adding wolves and scorpions to the mix. It’s a straightforward story, with the story tension built in how the Niblings overcome or bypass each successive danger they encounter and I think it’s a story that children can very much enjoy.

[Amanda Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a signed copy of this through the GoodReads First-Reads program. I was incredibly excited to win this title. The artwork is stunning and a ton of fun, the story is great (and was written as a father/son team which I love), and the story itself hit on a lot of teaching points parents can use with children. Such as:
Courage, trying new things, manners, creativity, leadership, trust, eating vegetables, hygiene, bullying, reading, and teamwork. Which is a ton of lessons to have in a short 44 pages.

But for me the thing I like the most, is that it is a fantasy story that is age appropriate. As an avid reader of Fantasy and Sci-Fi I find that most is either written as YA or for adults but there is a mysterious deficit in the genre for this age group. I am glad the Herz's are changing that.

I look forward to reading their next publication.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

GOBLINS, SCORPIONS AND RHINOTAURS, OH MY!

This is a well-written, fun, adventurous novel for children. The children will be delighted with the wonderful illustrations and rejoice in the happy ending.

I enjoyed the fantastic creatures living in the ancient, shadowy and mysterious Grunwald Forest. You can’t help but like Nimpentoad for wanting to protect the Niblings as they make their journey to Goofus’ castle. On their way, they encounter such creatures as Forest Goblins, giant scorpians and Rhinotaurs.

I especially like the Pedal Chariot they made and how it helped them escape the wolves and Forest Trolls.

Goofus is happy in the end and therefore, Nimpentoad and the Niblings were also.

Rebecca Scarberry

[Laura Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as a gift from the authors in exchange for my review.

You are now entering the world of Nimpentoad and his fellow niblings. they look to Nimpentoad for guidance as they travel through the shadowy unknown that is Grunwald Forest.
Along the way you will have encounters with goblins and orcs and many other fantastical creatures. Neebels are the worst!
henry, along with his two grade-school sons, has written an endearing tale, accompanied by beautiful illustrations.
While the target readers are 5-10 year olds, all ages will be charmed by the characters and the world of Nimpentoad.
I give this book 5 stars and my sky-high recommendation!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tired of being bullied and picked on, Nimpentoad leads his intrepid band of tiny Niblings through the Grunwald Forest to Goofus the Giant’s Castle for help. On the way they are attacked by Forest Goblins and Orcs, Giant Scorpions, Rhinotaurs, and wolves. Nimpentoad’s quick thinking extricates them from every dire situation with ingenuity and humor.

A unique concoction of crazy and bizarre creatures set Nimpentoad apart from a multitude of children’s fantasies. Witty narrative, great imagery, and terrific illustrations bring this book alive! We can only hope that we have not seen the last of the plucky Niblings! Another helping, please!

[Anna Everhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was excited to read Nimpentoad because this delightful fantasy is written by a dad, Henry Herz, and his two elementary-aged sons, Josh and Harrison! It is so exciting to see a hobby and creativity come together and make something for the world to see and enjoy. As I read Nimpentoad I couldn't help but fall in love with this little Nibling, saving the day, exemplifying courage, care and leadership against everything they came across. He is a positive example for children, as well as introducing them to the fun, imaginative world of fantasy stories.



I recommend this as a special story for elementary-aged kids to add to their library!

[Léna Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nimpentoad is a delightful tale that will have fantasy fans everywhere high-fiving. The pacing is pitch-perfect, and the strong emphasis on community and leadership never comes across as didactic.The protagonist Nimpentoad represents everything we want ourselves and our leaders to be: smart, resourceful, innovative and kind. I highly recommend this book to teachers and parents as a read-aloud for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade.

[J.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

My six year old and I sat down to read this story and he seemed to really enjoy it. He loved the illustrations which also helped him to more easily understand what was going on in the adventure. Nimpentoad is a charismatic leader of his people and his story is a great way for little learners, like my son, to learn about leading and making the right choices for the right reasons - in a fun way! We enjoyed this children's book. My son has even tried to draw his own version of Nimpentoad.

[Book-shelf Shelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this book and found the story very well written, although as it is a children's book, I found the names of the creatures quite hard & confusing. Even as an adult (all be it a dyslexic one) I had to keep checking who was the baddy.

The art work is brilliant, even if reading it on a kindle made it hard to see :( I would love to see the whole book in printed format with colour pictures which will keep most kids gripped.