Fiction Single Titles: The Midnight Fridge [Hardcover]

Bruce S. Glassman (Author), Brian Lies (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

What goes on in your fridge, When there's no one around? When the kitchen is dark, And there's nary a sound?

Have you ever sensed rumblings, As you walked slowly near? Or muffled, low shuffles, Almost too faint to hear?

You're sure there's commotion Behind the closed door, But whenever you open, It's not there anymore.

Your fridge holds some secrets, And without any doubt, If you open these pages You'll figure them out!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2?An inane book about a fight that breaks out in a refrigerator when different foods compete to "see who's the best." Bragging turns to one-upsmanship and then degenerates into flying peas and pimientos. The action is described in a singsong rhyme: "Now spinach got mad,/Tomato juice boiled;/Rotini the Pasta/Completely uncoiled." Order is soon restored when a hero sandwich tells the other fridge occupants that they are all important, especially when they combine to make good foods. There is an odd mix of messages here: part nutrition, part cooperation, part self-esteem, all served up with unremarkable watercolor illustrations. Skip this one and save your appetite for something better.?Jane Marino, Scarsdale Public Library, NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

...A fun encounter filled with story and rhyme -- The Children's Bookwatch, April, 1998

This delightful book, a small-press surprise, gives a blow-by-blow account of an intra-icebox food fight. Caught up in a contest to establish who's the best, the foods start feuding with gratifyingly chaotic results: 'The grapes started whining,/ Apple juice was upset; / Which got the zucchini / And carrots all wet'. It takes a true hero (of the sandwich sort) to point out that foods are best when combined - a cooperative message as applicable to kids as it is to comestibles, delivered here without the slightest ham-handedness. Lies's animated ingredients are marvelously expressive. Let's hope this talented duo has more concoctions in store -- Family Fun Magazine, June/July, 1998

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover
• Publisher: Blackbirch Press; 1st edition (February 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567118011
• ISBN-13: 978-1567118018
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,589,148 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

*Writer, editor, and publisher for more than 25 years
*Author of more than 40 nonfiction titles
*Classically trained chef, with sommelier training
*East Coast native, San Diego resident
*Always asked: "What's your favorite San Diego Craft Beer?" Answer: All of them!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clever rhymes & illustrations convey moral of cooperation, January 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Fiction Single Titles: The Midnight Fridge (Hardcover)

The Midnight Fridge uses clever rhymes and puns along with illustrations filled with sight gags to convey a lesson in cooperation. Parents will not tire of reading this book again and again -- and from my experience and that of others, that is exactly what will happen. This book truly deserves to become a classic.

5.0 out of 5 stars What happens in your fridge at night?, October 27, 2009

By 

panda (land of chaos) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fiction Single Titles: The Midnight Fridge (Hardcover)

My son brought this book home from school once. It was clever, fun and hilarious. 'Midnight Fridge' is one of the funniest children's books I've ever read. It's cleverly put together, the animation is pretty good and it'll make you smile. Food fights, things turning sour, it's all just great. We liked it so much, it's going to be a permanent addition to our bookshelf. I recommend this book. It's just such a great kids book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Elementary Health Teacher, March 9, 2005

By 

Elementary Health Teacher (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fiction Single Titles: The Midnight Fridge (Hardcover)

I found this book to be very clever, fun and useful. I have used this book to teach character education lessons including: community, sharing, diversity, acceptance, cooperation, and friendship as well as nutrition education. The rhythm of the verse is catchy and effective - and you can really "ham it up." The illustrations are a colorful food bouquet for the eyes. I especially like the intriguing cover, as well as the last page where a little girl looks with inquisitive puzzlement at the outside of her kitchen fridge! Adults can help children get so much out of this book; again and again and again.