Effie

Allinson, Beverley

ISBN 10: 0590440454 ISBN 13: 9780590440455

Publisher: Scholastic, 1991

Synopsis

When Effie the ant's loud voice saves the day, the other insects learn to appreciate her unique gift

About this title

Reviews

PreSchool-Grade 2-- Effie's loud voice causes her to be shunned not only by the rest of the ants, but also by other small creatures in her world. When an elephant threatens, however, she speaks up and saves them all. There is nothing new about this familiar plot, but the humor and verve with which it is told and illustrated make it stand out. The first page, in which readers are told that "Effie came from a long long line of ants" and shown--literally--will fascinate children. Reid's plasticine scenes are filled with bold colors and fanciful touches: toe slippers on a balletic butterfly; a salt shaker in the hand of a spider approaching its prey. The texture seems almost touchable; the perspectives add humor--a look down Effie's hugh throat, an extreme close-up of her climbing the elephant's trunk. The story works well as a read-aloud, but the very bold type used for Effie's dialogue will convey her volume to silent readers, too. Simpler than Richard Wilbur's Loudmouse (HBJ, 1982), this is a good choice for comparison with that title or others in which the outcast makes good, such as Pete Seeger's Abiyoyo (Macmillan, 1985).
- Louise L. Sherman, Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, NJ
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Effie "was an ant like hundreds of others--in every way but one. All the others had tiny ant voices. Effie's voice was like thunder." Poor Effie merely wants a friend, but even a sociable "hello" in her booming voice sends the other insects scrambling. And when they come running back, it's not to see Effie: they're trying to get away from an elephant that, oblivious to the tiny beings below, is about to crush them. Effie's gigantic lung power saves the day. She wins the respect of the other creatures, and finally finds a friend in the gentle elephant. Allinson's simple, straightforward text is complemented perfectly by Reid's ( Have You Seen Birds? ) rollicking plasticine compositions. The layering of the material creates a marvelous textural illusion and--especially in a scene depicting a caterpillar bounding away from Effie's big voice--some hilarious perspectives. Ages 3-6.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Scholastic
• Publication date: 1991
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0590440454
• ISBN 13: 9780590440455
• Binding: Library Binding
• Illustrator: Reid Barbara
• Number of pages: 32