The Odious Ogre - Hardcover

Juster, Norton

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0545162025 ISBN 13: 9780545162029

Publisher: Michael di Capua Books, 2010

Synopsis

The author and the illustrator of THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH--together again!
This is the story of a really rotten Ogre who is extraordinarily large, exceedingly ugly, unusually angry, constantly hungry, and absolutely merciless. He terrorizes the entire countryside and all the surrounding towns, wreaking havoc, sowing confusion, and dining happily on the hapless citizens. Nothing can stop him. But then he takes a wrong turn and encounters a kind and friendly young lady who does her best to help him--with a surprising result.

About this title

About the Author:

NORTON JUSTER is the author of the children’s classic THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH. His first picture book, THE HELLO, GOODBYE WINDOW, illustrated by Chris Raschka, won the 2006 Caldecott Medal and was followed by a sequel, SOURPUSS AND SWEETIE PIE.

JULES FEIFFER has won a number of prizes for his cartoons, plays, and screenplays, including the Pulitzer Prize for editorial cartooning. His books for children include THE MAN IN THE CEILING, I’M NOT BOBBY!, A ROOM WITH A ZOO, and BARK, GEORGE.

From School Library Journal:

PreS-Gr 2–There is nothing as satisfying as a job well done, and this ogre is beyond satisfied. In fact, he doesn't have to do anything anymore to scare the villagers. Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, however, he goes about his business of snacking on them whenever the mood strikes him. Until one day, that is, when he comes upon a beautiful girl in the forest, and she is not afraid of him in the slightest. She sees beyond his odor and hideous face and assumes he is a good person at heart. She offers him tea and muffins and extends every kindness that she can think of. Thrown off guard, the ogre tries every trick he knows to frighten her but nothing will rattle this optimistic young girl. The befuddled and frustrated ogre tromps off through the forest and, well, the odious ogre is no more. Juster's language and imagery are playful throughout. For example, he describes the villagers' unsuccessful attempt at hiding from the ogre by noting that they “stuffed their ears with stale cake.” What child won't chuckle at that image? Later, the ogre complains that the girl is not “the docile dumpling he expected.” The ogre is correct; she is no docile dumpling. Feiffer's loose, colorful sketches are as cartoony as this over-the-top story demands. The text is a bit long for storyhour but the clever repartee and fun illustrations make up for that in spades.Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
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About this edition

• Publisher: Michael di Capua Books
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0545162025
• ISBN 13: 9780545162029
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Feiffer Jules