In Amelia the Mouse: Inventor Extraordinaire by J.W. Kohler, Amelia is an inventor mouse living under an oak tree. She hasn’t made something memorable yet, but she never stops trying. Whether it’s a shirt made of salami or a vacuum for your nose, Amelia is full of ideas from the moment she wakes till the time she goes to sleep. She enjoyed her time creating things and never once thought it was boring. One day she got a request from her elderly friend Winston the rat to create a cane that won’t get stuck in holes and other small crevices while he walked. Amelia was more than happy to help and got straight to work. She tried various experiments, from rocket fuel to springs, and yet it didn’t quite get the job done. Finally, settling on a sword, she presented her work to Winston. When the sword didn’t work, in a last-minute attempt Amelia attached a wheel to his cane and it was a success.

I thought J.W. Kohler has done a wonderful job in creating this fun children’s book. Amelia was a very likable main character with a great storyline. She has a hobby that I haven’t really seen in a children’s book before. The fact that she’s an inventor is unique and makes the story stand out from other kids' adventures. It also has a very important lesson to teach; if at first, you don’t succeed, try again. The illustrations were also very well done and went perfectly with the storyline. Overall, I thought Amelia the Mouse: Inventor Extraordinaire was a great and educational read that offered an important lesson. I would recommend it to my friends with young children, and I am looking forward to seeing more of J.W. Kohler's work.

Amelia The Mouse: Inventor Extraordinaire by J.W. Kohler is an illustrated story of a mouse who loves to create new things. She is an inventor, you see. She wakes up and bounces out of bed, her head brimming with ideas as she spends the day in her workshop. She hasn't invented anything that has made her famous or rich, but that's not Amelia's purpose for creating. The fun and excitement of inventing are what push her on. One day, Amelia was visited by a customer, Winston the rat, who needed some improvements for his cane. The project taught Amelia to innovate and think outside the box. That started it all, and soon Amelia became sought after for her inventions by mammals and reptiles alike.

This short children's book by J.W. Kohler is told in rhyme and has beautiful illustrations kids would surely enjoy. It reminded me of the storybooks my mother read to me when I was a child. There are lots of lessons in this book --- about perseverance and not letting failures get in the way of goals; about loving what you do and taking pride in your achievements. Amelia the Mouse never got discouraged, distraught or upset, as the author said. She saw failures as lessons and happily went about creating until she found a solution that works. These are good traits to instill in children. It can help them develop a positive attitude that they can carry to adulthood. I highly recommend this beautiful book!