Book Review: Opal, Herby and Squeaky by Jay Miller

Opal, Herby and Squeaky is the third book for children by author Jay Miller. I was gifted with signed copies of all three of his books by Jay Miller himself for my darling grandsons and what a delightful blessing the books are! All three of Jay's books (Bingo the Banjo Picking Bear; Sal and Sally; and Opal, Herby and Squeaky) share Christian values with a strong moral lesson to be learned in a simple yet charming way. The illustrations are colorful and fun and the stories easy to read. Plus lyrics to songs by and about story characters are included at the end of the story that the kids can sing and play around with which is fun.

Of all three of Jay Miller's books (Bingo the Banjo Picking Bear; Sal and Sally; Opal Herby and Squeaky); Opal, Herby and Squeaky is my favorite. Don't get me wrong, all three books are fun but Opal, Herby and Squeaky made me laugh the most.

The book starts out with Opal the furry black kitten needing a home. So she did what any sensible Christian kitten would do, she prayed for a home and was granted one IF she could catch a little gray mouse. In Opal's new home, she was quite serious about her job to catch the naughty little gray mouse named Squeaky who is stealing all the food from the other home's resident, the little red weiner dog named Herby.

Herby the weiner dog is happy Opal has come to live with them and wants to be friends and share his food with her but there is no food to share because that greedy mouse Squeaky steals it all every night. Opal prays for help to catch the naughty mouse and God answers that he will help her but that Opal must offer Squeaky a chance to repent from his naughty ways once she's caught him.

After Opal catches Squeaky the mouse, he does repent from his naughty ways, gives back all the food he stole and the three animals become best friends. The owner is amazed that a kitten, a dog and a mouse are best friends and they all praise God who has made such a thing possible!

Opal, Herby and Squeaky is best for younger readers. My nine year old grandson considered himself "too old" for it (his words!). But I think younger readers will enjoy the story and I think the bright colorful illustrations should really capture their attention too.

You can purchase a copy of Opal, Herby and Squeaky wherever books are sold.

Opal, Herby, and Squeaky by Jay Miller; illustrated by Lee Qualls

Paperback, 44 pages

Published by AuthorHouse, 2008

ISBN: 978-1-4389-1808-2

$18.98