View source for A Seaside Adventure (Tumtum and Nutmeg) by Emily Bearn

{{infobox2
|title=A Seaside Adventure (Tumtum and Nutmeg)
|sort=Seaside Adventure (Tumtum and Nutmeg)
|author=Emily Bearn
|reviewer=Ruth Ng
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=A new exciting adventure for our favourite mouse friends as they set off for the seaside.  Another lovely, well-written story. 
|rating=4.5
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|pages=240
|publisher=Egmont
|date=April 2010
|isbn=978-1405248204 
|aznuk=1405248203
|aznus=1405248203
|cover=1405248203
}}

There's something very comforting about returning to a story with familiar friends and this latest in the Tumtum and Nutmeg series does not disappoint.  Our brave little mousey friends are heading off for some new excitement, this time travelling by train to the seaside to keep an eye on Arthur and Lucy who have been sent to stay with their Uncle.  Nutmeg is sure it won't be any bother, but Tumtum suspects they may well end up on another adventure!

He is right to be suspicious for unbeknownst to them General Marchmouse has sneaked in the luggage too and, of course, this means trouble for Tumtum and Nutmeg.  He blunders his way into another dangerous adventure, this time involving stolen property (including a full set of teeth...), crabby crabs and a rough beach mouse known as Purple Claw.  Nutmeg has to enlist the help of the children, and there is plenty of action and adventure throughout.

Emily Bearn's latest adventure continues in her lovely, old-fashioned style and Nick Price's illustrations once again add that extra touch of magic to the stories.  This time there is added excitement as some of the humans actually spot some of the mice.  I had wondered in previous stories if this might happen at some point, or that perhaps there would be suggestions of the mice being seen but that nothing would come of it, but in the end in this story one of the mice is actually captured by the children!  (You'll have to read it to find out who...)

The book is written in easily digested chapters, so once again it's perfect for either confident readers to go it alone, or for those who still enjoy having a bedtime story.  I know you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover but I'm afraid I always do.  I'm mentioning this only because I particularly love the Tumtum and Nutmeg books, with their beautiful artwork and also just the touch and feel of the book - it's the perfect size for holding and reading in bed.

You could easily read this story without having read the earlier adventures, but it's always nice to work your way through a series and see the characters grow.  I thoroughly enjoyed it, and my only tiny complaint was that because General Marchmouse plays a large role in this story I felt that Tumtum wasn't in it nearly enough (he makes me laugh).  I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it though, it's delightful and I'm already eager for the next adventure.

I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to The Bookbag.

You can catch up with some of Tumtum and Nutmeg's earlier adventures amongst [[The Pirates' Treasure (Tumtum and Nutmeg) by Emily Bearn|pirates]] or with the terrifying [[Tumtum and Nutmeg's Christmas Adventure by Emily Bearn|Baron Toymouse]].

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