Great book! It will be a wonderful addition to my gift-giving this year. Love to see the Alinker shown as the terrific walking aid it is!! Read this book yourself, & share it & gift it with others in your life!

Donny and the three strange Normberts … such a delightful book! Anyone and everyone should read this amusing yet thought provoking book. Parents, grandparents, care givers, teachers, healthcare providers, and children of all ages could benefit by reading and/or from hearing about the colourful characters that come to life. I’m sure many will see themselves in these characters and know that they are not alone, not so different from the rest. I love the book’s structure! We’re immediately introduced to Chargieville, Home of the Chargimals, the Normberts and the Cheeky Demons; and in turn, to each of the characters. We can easily return to these pages to refresh our memory. It’s not been relegated to an appendix. The stories themselves are fun to read and interactive – the short quiz at the end of each chapter provides an opportunity to the reader/parent/teacher to discuss the events - simple but effective. Early on, we also get to meet the Strangeberts who are really just Normberts: BE, Selma, Jolon. We are then introduced to the Alinker! That wonderful yellow machine that has the potential of changing lives. It’s not a toy - it’s a mobility assistant much like canes, walkers and even wheelchairs. With hard work it could help to strengthen your legs (and your body), your balance and pretty much your outlook on life as it restores some of your dignity – at least it has in my case. Please buy this incredible book for yourself, your children and other care-giving individuals like doctors, nurses and teachers! It will be a wonderful learning experience and everyone will better understand chronic illnesses and special needs. This book helps change attitudes towards visible and invisible disabilities – much like the Alinker.

When I first saw this awesome children’s book about the Alinker and it’s awesome adventures.. I figured that as a 30 year old young lady with cp and other issues I could relate to these children… i really loved reading the book..it was suspenseful and awesome at times.. I love it how the author included comprehension questions as well because it helps other readers understand what they read.. I don’t know if a answer key is included for the questions but it might be helpful if it was.. I also loved the main character Donnie who was awesome.. I also loved his other friends in this book.. I already know how Important a Alinker is people.. as I have one.. overall this book is awesome at explaining everything about the Alinker and how it is something to not be fearful of.. I also love how this book has relatable characters… I know that children are going to love this book..

Donny and the three strange Normberts by Natalie van Scheltinga and Jenni Lock What an incredible book! I love to read, and I love doing research. And when I got the opportunity to read the first book from the awesome The Chargimals - Physical and Mental Health Monsters I was not expecting to be taken right into the Chargimal world, and feel that I could identify on such a deep level with each Chargie! I have Ehlers danlos syndrome, Fibromyalgia, M.E., Endometriosis, Autism, ADHD, Mast cell activation syndrome and other comorbid conditions. Along with these come chronic pain, stiffness, migraines, anxiety, depression and brain fog, as well as tons of other symptoms. I am an ambulatory wheelchair user, which means I use it part time. So learning about the fascinating new The Alinker USA & Canada was a fun side-research project. I hope we get to see these in South Africa soon. Each Chargimal represents a chronic condition, and this book truly accentuated their personalities and experiences with their conditions. It was like reading my own story written about my own conditions, and what it's like to live with them. I love how these characters make such complex conditions so much easier to understand. And truly felt that this book is not just for children. It's a book for everyone. It's a book for mom and dad, sister and brother, grandparents, teachers and friends, to help them understand our chronic illness world from different viewpoint. We truly are no different than all the 'Normberts' (normal non sick people) in the world. And with a bit of accommodation and accessibility, we can also live normal lives and thrive, and finally be who we are. I think the Alinker is an incredible new creation that will give a lot of people back their mobility and better their health. I also love the incredible Chargimals! Never has there been an easier way to learn about chronic conditions, and understand what those of us who live with them are going through, than is shown by the Chargimals. A big thank you Natalie and The Chargimals Friends - Chronic Illness, Chronic Pain, Mental Health who are a constant support, and bring Chargieville to life. Each of us knows we are carried and cared for by each other in this group. Please go out and get a copy of this incredible book. If ever there has been a need to learn about and understand chronic conditions and the special needs of those who have them, that time is now. A world in chaos is helped only by knowledge and wisdom. And there is no better way to learn than by the enjoyment of a good story and lovable characters.