1. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
By Robert C. O’Brien

2. Robert C. O’Brien
Worked as a journalist for Newsweek and National Geographic
Wrote 4 books
Did not get drafted for WWII because of mental health issues

3. Lab Rats & Behavioral Sciences
John B. Calhoun – researcher at the real NIMH on animal behavior
Study population behaviors:
Overcrowding
Aggression
Trained responses
Reasoning and logic
Mental, social, and physical experiments
Growing tissue and small appendages
Makeup testing

4. The Book… Newberry Medal Winner in 1972 Science Fiction
Anthropomorphism
Widowed field mouse trying to save her house and family
Lab rats creating a technological society
Based on real lab work from the 1940s -1960s
Made a movie in 1982

5. Anthropomorphism
Anthropomorphism, or personification, is attribution of human form or other characteristics to anything other than a human being. Examples include depicting deities (Gods)with human form, creating fictional non-human animal characters with human physical traits, and ascribing human emotions or motives to forces of nature, such as hurricanes or earthquakes.
Anthropomorphism has ancient roots as a literary device in storytelling, and also in art. Most cultures have traditional fables with anthropomorphised animals, who can stand or talk as if human, as characters.

6. Characters…
Mrs. Frisby – widowed field mouse trying to take care of her children
Jonathan Frisby – Mrs. Frisby’s dead husband; known by the lab rats

7. Timothy – Son of Mrs. Frisby; very sickly, but very kind
Dragon the Cat – Farmer’s terrifying cat; very violent; loves to eat field mice

8. Teresa – Daughter of Mrs. Frisby; takes care of Timothy; can be gloomy
Martin – Mrs. Frisby’s older son; strong and obedient
Cynthia- Mrs. Frisby’s youngest child; helpful but scatter brained

9. Mr. Ages – doctor to the field mice; friend of Mrs. Frisby
Jeremy- foolish crow; friend of Mrs. Frisby

10. Farmer Fitzgibbons and sons – own the land that Mrs
Farmer Fitzgibbons and sons – own the land that Mrs. Frisby’s home is on; run the farm equipment; own the evil cat

11. Old Owl – oldest animal in the woods that all the birds ask questions
Nicodemus – leader of the rats

12. Dr Schultz – lead neurologist at NIMH
Justin – captain of the rats guard

13. Jenner – rat that deserted the community with six others
Arthur – rat’s chief engineer
Gerald - Nicodemus’ older brother
Lady Shrew – Frisby’s neighbor at the winter house
Izzy – young girl rat that likes the library; parents were from NIMH
Brutus – guard of the rats home