Mixlings in Time

Time Warped

By: Linda Rossel, Renee Cooley Riegler

Narrated by: Michael Tucker

Length: 2 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

It is 100 years in the future. The world’s trees are dying and only one thing can stop it. A special serum made from plants that are already extinct.

Cicero, a graceful flying squirrel; Mendel, a very in-charge armadillo; and Emerson, a playful ferret, just wanted to help the professor and find those plants, using an untested time machine. A quick trip back to the past to find a few unusual plants to save the forests of the future. No problem, right? Not exactly. That’s when things went wrong. Very wrong.

The molecule mixer disrupted everything, mixing their DNA with that of other animals. They arrive in the past looking a lot different on the outside. Are they the same on the inside? Find out what happens when they become mixlings in time. A time when you’re not sure who (or what) you are anymore. Maybe being an Armadoon isn’t so bad, after all. It could be worse.

©2019 Linda Rossel, Renee Cooley Riegler (P)2020 Linda Rossel, Renee Cooley Riegler

Great story on protecting the environment!

I really enjoyed this book. I worry all the time about how we can protect our environment in the world where the almighty dollar rules. I also struggle with how to relate these concerns to young people in a meaningful way. This book provides the message that once its too late, recovery can be impossible without a little magic in the guise of science.

I loved the characters and their relationships with the famous philosophers and scientists they were named after. I love that the story talks about those philosophers and scientists and their contributions to our world. My favorite character was a bear named Bernie. He seemed a bit like someone I know.

The book uses language young people can understand without talking down to them. The pace of the book feels consistent and moves the reader along with the story timeline driving the rising action. Friendships are built and unique contributions are recognized. Quirky natures of the characters fold in nicely to the climax and denouement.

I highly recommend this book. It was a fun read and the characters were very likable - especially Bernie!

Charming and Delightful

Emerson writes, "The reward of a thing well done is to have done it." The authors use this for their final chapter lesson. In addition, this sums the book up beautifully.

The authors use talking animals to travel back 100 years in search of plants to save their world. Immediately they question how high trees are, can they really be so thick as to hide the blue sky? Simultaneously they begin to notice the changes in their own appearances, and thus the world has The Mixlings. They have issues while retrieving the plants and of course, there is the mystery will they get home.

The authors have given teachers, students, independent readers, etc., a smart way to explain what happens if we don't take care of our plants.

I audibly read this after accepting a GoodReads appeal. The narrator was fun for all ages, and reminded me of Dave, The Chipmonks adoptive father.

Mixlings in Time: Time Warped

Received a copy of this for a review:
It's a charming book for young readers. No objectionable content whatsoever, but a little on the typical "save the planet" plot side. I listened to the audiobook version and was quite charmed by Pythagoras the Anteater's voice, though much of the narration is good. Enjoyable for the little animal-lovers of the world.
Full book review here for the curious:
https://bookmarkedone.home.blog/2020/02/08/mixlings-in-time-audiobook-review/.