Wild adventure, looming peril, and finding help in the least expected of places—get transported to the world of the NOLO—80 feet tall, 40 tons, and a whole lot of fur. But are they friend or foe?
"Danger in the Hills: A NOLO Story" is a tale that will THUMP… Thump, Thump right into your heart."
For the first time in print, the legend of the NOLO, a beloved favorite of children for over 50 years, is brought to life. With easy-to-read language, unique content, fast-paced plots, lots of adventure, and beautiful illustrations throughout, it’s perfect for boosting confidence and a love of reading in your early reader.
In this first NOLO book, Heather, Colleen, Camille, and the kids are in a desperate situation. Having fled their camp to escape a large, angry bear, they have been lost in the woods for three days. One small raft, a large river, and two mountains later, the kids are tired, hungry, cold, and have no idea how to get home. Can they find their way to safety… or will they be lost forever?
Fitting for a story of legendary creatures and nightscapes where it feels like something eerie may happen, the authors take a mythic, somewhat fabulistic approach, emphasizing the girls’ smallness and the vastness of skies, mountains, and the NOLOs themselves. Jake’s fearsome-yet-cuddly appearance helps maintain tension and mystery for some pages, as the authors cue readers to wonder whether he’s fiend or foe, and the illustrations emphasize, with striking composition, the sheer impossible scale of him. The suspense ebbs, in the second half, building to a sweet, upbeat resolution that will most please younger readers—those who favor the earlier, gently spooky feel may find the climax underwhelming. A guide to other NOLO species, though, in the final pages is good monster fun.
Astute readers may also notice some inconsistent plot elements involving an injury and Jake’s daily grooming and eating habits. But there’s much to love in the engaging, evocative art, depicting monsters, mountains, night skies, and the horizon-wide head of a NOLO peering over a hilltop at tiny humans, an image of significant imaginative power.
Takeaway: A monster saves lost campers in this mythic, gorgeous adventure.
Comparable Titles: Chris Wormell’s The Sea Monster, Sue Ganz-Schmitt’s The Monster on the Block.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-
5 Star Review!
Danger in the Hills by Uncle Jerry and Liz Fahey is a delightful tale that blends adventure, heart, and imagination. The story introduces Jake, a towering yet gentle NOLO with a unique charm and a deep sense of empathy. When two stranded sisters, Heather and Colleen, cross his path, a touching rescue mission unfolds, showing courage, teamwork, and an unlikely friendship. The book is further enriched by an origin story of the NOLO species and detailed descriptions of their diverse habitats, adding depth to the mythical world. It’s a heartfelt journey into the unknown, reminding readers of the value of trust and kindness while igniting their sense of wonder.
One of the things I loved is how the book explores the origin of the NOLO species and gives us a glimpse into their fascinating habitats. It adds such depth to this magical world. The plot flows nicely, making it perfect for young readers—it's fast-paced and action-packed without ever feeling rushed. The rescue mission at the heart of the story is not only compelling but also heartwarming, giving everything a sense of purpose. Jake steals the show with his mix of strength and gentleness, making him both lovable and inspiring. While the human characters might not be as developed, they still play essential roles in showing bravery and overcoming fears. Themes like kindness, connection, and looking beyond appearances hit home, turning this book into a delightful read filled with valuable life lessons. The writing style, accompanied by vibrant illustrations, is simple yet vivid, painting a beautiful picture of the NOLO world that's easy for kids to imagine and connect with. Danger in the Hills by Uncle Jerry and Liz Fahey is a feel-good adventure that left me smiling and excited to explore more of the enchanting NOLO universe.
When a group of kids goes camping in the forest, they find themselves in over their heads in a dire situation with seemingly no help in sight. What started as a fun trip turned sour with misdirection and “Danger in the Hills.” Based on folklore comes the NOLO, a seemingly mythical yet genuine creature, seen as intimidating and fearsome but only misunderstood. Covered with thick fur, three legs, spiked feet, and horned ears, the NOLO may look uninviting, but appearances can be deceiving without knowing what lies beneath the fur.
Misfortune from the children brings the NOLO out of hiding to rescue the children, hurt and afraid. Through adventurous events, the children and NOLO learn more about each other and establish trust despite their differences. What’s inside matters more than on the outside. A tested and sustaining friendship is the souvenir everyone takes away from a short time in the woods.
“Danger in the Hills” by Uncle Jerry and Liz Fahey is appropriate for an audience of readers aged early elementary and onward due to the content in the story, which has good morals for younger and older readers alike. Parents will appreciate the lack of bad language or inappropriate content in the story – making it a wholesome and thrilling adventure. The illustrations will catch the eye of older readers with the likeness to those found in graphic novels. The NOLO has similarities to “The Gruffalo,” a beloved children’s story, making the NOLO, by default, have the chance to be a timeless story, too. Based on the additional storyline at the end, there is plenty of material to continue the series for further adventures with the NOLO.
Note from Lydia (age 10) – I enjoyed “Danger in the Hills: A NOLO Story” because the kids and NOLO became friends by the end. In the beginning, when the NOLO was sad and lonely, I wasn’t a fan of that, but I liked it better when they were all getting along. When everyone was finally happy again, I loved that! The story was easy for me to read and understand, and I look forward to reading the next stories in the series because they were exciting and full of adventure!
Loved it! 😍
The Nolo will beguile young readers with their adventures and heroism. A great family read-aloud for elementary ages.
Synopsis
Wild adventure, looming peril, and finding help in the least expected of places—get transported to the world of the NOLO—80 feet tall, 40 tons, and a whole lot of fur. But are they friend or foe?
"Danger in the Hills: A NOLO Story" is a tale that will THUMP… Thump, Thump right into your heart."
For the first time in print, the legend of the NOLO, a beloved favorite of children for over 50 years, is brought to life. With easy-to-read language, unique content, fast-paced plots, lots of adventure, and beautiful illustrations throughout, it’s perfect for boosting confidence and a love of reading in your early reader.
In this first NOLO book, Heather, Colleen, Camille, and the kids are in a desperate situation. Having fled their camp to escape a large, angry bear, they have been lost in the woods for three days. One small raft, a large river, and two mountains later, the kids are tired, hungry, cold, and have no idea how to get home. Can they find their way to safety… or will they be lost forever?
Targeted for early chapter readers ages 6-9.
NOLO is short for Nolomus, a mythical creature of the forest. The NOLO: Danger in the Hills introduces young readers first to a Nolo named Jake and his mundane daily rituals. Readers are then introduced to a group of children. The children who are lost in the woods have encountered some scary situations and now they are running out of food. It was agreed that two should head to higher ground and try to signal for help. Heather & Colleen carried out this duty and were on their way back when something happens that prevents them from getting back to base camp. What are they going to do? In the midst of their despair, Heather remembered her uncle telling about the Nolo and that if she were to call out, they would hear her. She had nothing to lose so she faintly called out, "Nolo."
Jake's ears perked up and he set off on a trot. What the reader doesn't know is whether he is friend or foe to humans. When Heather and Colleen first encounter the huge Nolo, they aren't too sure either! Readers will be amused at the efforts made to try to communicate. Will the girls be able to get Jake's help to save the rest of the kids? The book offers just the right amount of suspense without being too scary for youngsters. This would make a great read aloud, but keep in mind that if you read at bedtime, kids will be begging for extra chapters to know how it turns out!
The end of the book explains the origin story of the Nolo. But there isn't much explanation of how the children came to be stranded alone in the woods. Perhaps the author wanted to leave that up the imagination of readers. The Nolo stories were first created by the author's father (known as "Uncle Jerry") and Ms. Fahey wanted to share his stories with new generations. It would make a great exercise for children to try their hand at creating their own Nolo story! The author also includes illustrations of the various subspecies of Nolo (which will hopefully factor into future stories).
I loved the illustrations and they really help draw the readers attention to the exciting parts of the story. I particularly liked some of the monochromatic pages mixed in among the more brilliantly illustrated pages--a very nice balance. Artistic children could be encouraged to draw some Nolo characters of their own. Ms. Fahey's book offers an exciting story with just a hint of suspense and a whole lot of entertainment for elementary readers. I would recommend for ages 7-12 and I know they'll be eagerly awaiting future adventures!
