Elizabite: Adventures of a Carnivorous Plant [Hardcover]

H. A. Rey (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Elizabite is a carnivorous plant who eats insects as appetizers and enjoys hotdogs for snacks. Whether it walks, talks, flies, or barks, Elizabite is ready to make a meal of it. Her cheerful, hungry smile and infinite appetite attract much attention - a scientist examines her, a professor studies her, and everyone agrees that she is one of a kind. In an effort to control her diet and her unpredictable temper, Elizabite's admirers chain and muzzle her. But not even a barbed wire fence can prevent her from following her heart's (and stomach's) desire! Only when her unique appetite prevents a crime does Elizabite win the respect she deserves. The story of Elizabite, written more than fifty years ago, keeps company with those of Curious George, Spotty, and others in the Reys' memorable cast of characters. Perhaps less well known than her compatriots, but equally well loved, Elizabite teaches the value of being oneself.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-Since her debut in 1942, Elizabite, the carnivorous plant, has maintained her appeal and popularity with very young readers. Elizabite, created by H.A. Rey, author of Curious George, is a unique carnivorous plant who devours whatever encroaches within her space. A barbed wire fence doesn't even impede her eating. She finally earns a place of honor in the local zoo after becoming a real heroine. With exciting musical accompaniment and expressive reading, the written story takes on an added dimension of spirit, suspense, and stimulation. Listeners will identify with Elizabite, and scream with delight when Scotty loses his tail and cheer when the burglar is caught. The reading is spirited and at a pace specifically geared to fledgling readers. The rhyming format of the story intensifies a melodious tone and helps children to read, comprehend, and enjoy the story. Youngsters who experience some difficulty in reading and those whose native language is not English will benefit greatly from both oral and written presentations. For all elementary school library media centers and public library collections, this read-along program will be a valuable asset.
Patricia Mahoney Brown, Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, Kenmore, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Hans Augusto Rey was born in Hamburg, Germany in 1898. As a child, he spent much of his free time in that city's famous Hagenbeck Zoo drawing animals. After serving in the army during World War I, he studied philology and natural science at the University of Hamburg. He then married Margret Rey and they moved to Montmartre for four years. The manuscript for the first Curious George books was one of the few items the Reys carried with them on their bicycles when they escaped from Paris in 1940. Eventually, they made their way to the United States, and Curious George was published in 1941. Curious George has been published in many languages, including French, German, Japanese, Afrikaans, and Norwegian. Additional Curious George books followed, as well as such other favorites as CECILY G. AND THE NINE MONKEYS and FIND THE CONSTELLATIONS.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HMH Books (September 27, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395977029
• ISBN-13: 978-0395977026
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 9.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,215,892 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Hans Augusto Rey was born in Hamburg, Germany in 1898. As a child, he spent much of his free time in that city's famous Hagenbeck Zoo drawing animals. After serving in the army during World War I, he studied philology and natural science at the University of Hamburg. He then married Margret Rey and they moved to Montmartre for four years. The manuscript for the first Curious George books was one of the few items the Reys carried with them on their bicycles when they escaped from Paris in 1940. Eventually, they made their way to the United States, and Curious George was published in 1941. Curious George has been published in many languages, including French, German, Japanese, Afrikaans, and Norwegian. Additional Curious George books followed, as well as such other favorites as CECILY G. AND THE NINE MONKEYS and FIND THE CONSTELLATIONS.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for kids, September 2, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Elizabite: Adventures of a Carnivorous Plant (Paperback)

As a botanist, I particularly like that this book has a plant for a main character! As a parent, I like the message of the story, that is being different isn't bad. Elizabite begins as a "different" plant, treated with caution and potential scorn, but soon shows how her difference is her strength and saves the day. The illustrations are wonderful - I noticed something new each time I read the book, from grateful smiles on the faces of insects as Elizabite is captured to tie-ins to previous pages. The language is rich, and the only change I made was to substitute "hot dogs" for "frankfurters" when reading to my kids so they would understand what it meant. Great book for anyone's shelf.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars childhood favorite, October 5, 2000

By 

Viva in NYC (New York, N.Y.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elizabite: Adventures of a Carnivorous Plant (Hardcover)

I still have my 40 year old copy of this wonderful book, which I have enjoyed re reading to my 3 year old. The rhymes are better than average (for this age group), and the premise, while familiar to us now as "The little shop of Horrors", still seems fresh when told and illustrated by HA Ray. If you like Curious George you'll love Elizabite.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A little creepy, May 17, 2005

By 

kennedy19 "kennedy19" (wakefield, ma USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elizabite: Adventures of a Carnivorous Plant (Hardcover)

For some years this picture book by the great H.A. Rey (of Curious George fame)was out of print and now it's back. As ever, Rey's drawings are expressive and fun. However, the story itself is a little problematic; Elizabite is a carnivorous plant who keeps eating things she shouldn't and growing, which sounds funny but is actually kinda weird and frightening, especially when she tries to eat a scientist towards the end. Small kids who aren't put off by this kind of thing may enjoy it anyway, or slightly older kids, maybe. Like "Cecily G and the 9 Monkeys" which features a giraffe removing its own skin, there is something a little unintentionally disturbing about Rey's more obscure, offbeat efforts. Stick to the CG books and to the recently rediscovered "Whiteblack the Penguin."