The Secret Life of Tumkit

by Billy Garrett, Pattie Brooks Anderson (Illustrations)

Left behind in a dark and cold burrow, Tumkit, a baby rabbit was destined to die of starvation until Vella, a shrewd and fearless mockingbird, discovered Tumkit and brought him a magic berry. The berry came from a solitary bush that grows in a cave near the top of Laurel Mountain. Vella warns Tumkit the bush is struggling to survive and unless they act quickly the supernatural powers of its berries will be lost forever. Tumkit, Vella and Sully, a one year old buck and loyal friend to Vella, travel up the steep mountain in a desperate attempt to save the bush. Their quest takes a dangerous turn when they encounter Borwong, an angry and heartless grizzly, who refuses to allow anyone on his mountain.

129 pages, Paperback

First published April 21, 2014

About the author

Billy Garrett is a retired builder living half the year in Oregon and the other half in Palm Springs. When he's not writing, Billy enjoys RVing, boating, playing the guitar and having fun with family and grandkids. Billy has just published his second book, an Amazon best selling children's story titled, "The Secret Life of Tumkit."

Reviews

[Ilse · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a good story for kids. Very helpful for me for improving my English skills.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know if it was worth getting an inter-library loan... or reading at all... BUT, it was not bad as children's books go.

[Jaidis Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Secret Life of Tumkit is a delightful and informative story for young readers. I read it to my daughter as a bedtime story and she enjoyed reading chapters from it as well. We are introduced to Tumkit, a baby rabbit that is just born and learning about the world. The book teaches children about what baby rabbits are like when first born and the various struggles they can encounter while growing. Tumkit happens to be the runt of the group and soon he is left on his own as to not endanger the remaining baby rabbits.

Soon Tumkit meets Vella, a rather helpful Mockingbird, who brings him a magical berry that brings him back from the brink of starvation. When they learn that the berry Tumkit just ate is the last one, Vella and Tumkit team up, with the help of Sully the deer, to save the berry bush which is no longer receiving water. The only thing that stands in their way is Borwong, a vicious bear that has kicked all other animals from Laurel Mountain, home of the berry bush. Will Tumkit, Vella, and Sully succeed in their mission or will they be forced back down the mountain by Borwong?

I received this book in a giveaway from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.