May Belle and the ogre

by Bethany Roberts

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K-Gr 3-A spunky heroine, buoyant text, and irresistible illustrations make this easy-reader a real winner. In the first chapter, May Belle has big plans for a lovely summer night, as she puts on her new hat and gloves and sings a song. The unexpected appearance of an ogre at first frightens her, but she soon finds a way to put her visitor in his place. In chapter two, the youngster quickly solves the mystery of a disappearing blueberry pie with hilarious consequences. The book comes full circle in the final story, which features a wistful May Belle, who is feeling lonely until the ogre once again shows up at her house, and the two become fast friends. The child's winning personality will charm readers, who will find themselves humming along with her little ditties: "Oh, a cozy bed,/A cozy night,/Friends forever-/It feels just right!/Dee-diddle-dee-dum-dee!" Combining pastel washes with scratchy black-line details, the cozy watercolor artwork supports the mood and action of the bouncy text. An energetic, bright book that will be a hit with beginning readers.-Andrea Tarr, Corona Public Library, CA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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From BookList, , 2003, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.
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PreS-Gr. 2. This upbeat Dutton Easy Reader tells a story of friendship between an energetic child, May Belle, and a furry little ogre. May Belle, who lives alone in a manner reminiscent of Pippi Longstocking, entertains herself with dress-up clothes, baking, and books until she meets the ogre, who seems scary at first (he steals May Belle's pies), but eventually becomes a good friend. Well-crafted repetition helps make the text accessible to beginning readers. Within each of the three chapters, related actions are described in the same phrases, and the ogre's bumping and thumping noises recur throughout the book, as do May Belle's songs. Cheerful pictures, similar to the illustrator's work in the Digby and Kate series, add color and personality. A solid addition to collections that need easy-reader material.
KathleenOdean.
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