Effie (Scholastic Big Books) [Paperback]

Beverly Allinson (Author), Beverly Reid (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Series: Scholastic Big Books

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

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press (June 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590729896
• ISBN-13: 978-0590729895
• Product Dimensions: 17.2 x 14.8 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,587,564 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful surprise that became a family favorite, March 5, 2006

By 

Jocelyn Price (St. Louis, mo United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Effie (Scholastic Big Books) (Paperback)

We received our copy of "Effie" is a grab-bag of books from a summer reading program. It quickly became one of my children's all-time favorite books. It is the story of Effie, who doesn't fit in with all the other ants because of her enormously loud voice. Actually, nobody wants to talk with Effie, even after she sets out in search of new friends. Finally, when all the other insects are in a panic because they are afraid of being stepped on by the elephants, Effie's tremendous voice saves the day. The elephants, of course, don't realize they are about to walk on the bugs, and promise to do better. Effie is the heroine, making new friends among both the insects and the elephants. A great story for reading aloud, and the illustrations are witty and unique.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very entertaining - my son loves it, April 23, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Ontario, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Effie (Hardcover)

I thought it gives a very good message about watching what you say and how you say it. My son would look for this book at the library every time we went. The pictures were wonderful too!

1.0 out of 5 stars Effie- big book, October 17, 2011

By 

ckjohnson - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Effie (Scholastic Big Books) (Paperback)

I purchased the book Effie, for a classroom lesson. Scholastic sells the big book (large size). The book that I purchased from Amazon was labeled as a big book, but when the order arrived, it was a small (regular size) book. The person who sold the book also sold a donated copy to a school (from their PTO). As a teacher and parent, this aggrevated me that someone would 1) sell a book mislabled as a big book, 2)sell a donated book that a school is now missing.
Very disappointed that my kids were unable to use the book in their big book station. Product was mislabeled and defeated the pupose of my order.