The Maggie B [Hardcover]

Irene Haas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1975 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Maggie B (Book 1)

A little girl's wish to sail for a day on a boat named for her " with someone nice for company " comes true.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Irene Haas is an outstanding artist who has written and illustrated a number of children's books, including The Maggie B., Little Moon Theater, and A Summertime Song, which Horn Book called "a sumptuous production." Ms. Haas lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books; 1st edition (September 1, 1975)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689500211
• ISBN-13: 978-0689500213
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 10.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #154,256 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My life, my love and my lady is the sea, February 15, 2004

By 

E. R. Bird "Ramseelbird" (Manhattan, NY) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Maggie B (Hardcover)

I'm a scrupulous picture book reviewer. A person can't go around giving EVERY good picture book five stars just because it's enjoyable. When I review a book for younger children I like to point out its unique qualities. It's artistic originality. It's simple but brilliant storytelling. And then you read something like "The Maggie B." and it all goes flying out the window. "The Maggie B." is not particularly original. Its art, while charming, will not bowl you over with its fantastical use of line and color. It's story is told well, but simple. And yet I would be a hard-hearted grinch if I gave this book anything less than the five stars it so richly deserves.

The plot of this story is summed up by the Library of Congress like so: "A little girl's wish to sail for a day on a boat named for her `with someone nice for company' comes true". Maggie's little brother is that "someone nice" and the two of them spend the day on their little boat living the sea life. The boat is fully equipped with an apple, peach and orange tree bearing fruit (and a beautiful toucan). There is an abundance of fresh eggs and milk to be had from various chickens and the goat. Maggie herself fishes and serves up sumptuous meals of lobster and peaches with cinnamon and honey for dessert. The day is simple and homey, the only real source of concern a thunderstorm that crashes and booms towards the end of the day. Even then, Maggie thoughtfully battens down the hatches and plays her fiddle to her brother, tucked snugly in his bed.

There are only a few books that convey "comfort" well. Tasha Tudor's books do to some degree, as does the occasional Steven Kellogg. But this book tops them all. Author/illustrator Irene Haas has developed a small lovely little tale of two children on the nicest ship in the world. Any little boy or girl who has played house with a younger sibling will gravitate fully to this enchanting little tale. It will not shock you. It will not excite you. But it will wrap you up in a big warm towel just as Maggie does her little brother after taking a splashy bath in the sink. You will not want to leave the ship again.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You must get this for your children!, April 17, 2001

By 

solarpluvia (Olympia, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Maggie B (Hardcover)

At the vast age of 25, I still have several of my childhood books. This is one of them, and it would be the last one that I would give up. The Maggie B taught me the art of imagination and the power it has in life. I have taken it with me everywhere, even to the college dorms, so that I could read it when I needed to get away. It teaches responibility and the need for self-reliance. I love this book.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars absolutely enchanting!!!!!, October 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Maggie B (Hardcover)

It has been at least 20 years since I read this book...And in my memory has remained my most favorite childhood book. I must have read it over one hundred times...it truly captivated me... I dreamed of being Maggie and having her responsibilities- they seemed so adult yet so much fun! My one and only disappointment with this book is that in the paperback I have, every other page is in black and white. And Irene Haas' beautiful water colors are the main reason I returned to The Maggie B. over and over again. I'm wondering if the hardcover is different or newer copies are different...I'm expecting my first child, and if it's a girl I will definately be reading this to her!!!