Customer Reviews

Mean Margaret (Laura Geringer Books)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have been a school librarian for over 20 years and would rate this one tops in its appeal as a read-aloud for third graders. I especially appeciated the way it showed how family is created - the gradual movement away from self-centeredness to mutual caring and support. I found it a tender, funny book, and so did the kids.

This is a charming story about a nit-picky woodchuck named Fred who has his life turned upside down; first by his marriage to Phoebe, and right on top of that by the appearance of a lost human baby on his doorstep. The baby, who Phoebe names Margaret, is not only your typical demanding toddler, but her family life has resulted in her developing an especially unpleasant personality. Margaret's presence forces Fred to adapt to change and circumstances he once would never have accepted. Her absence likewise inspires her human family to make some changes of their own. Even Margaret herself is changed by the experience. The friendship and generosity of Squirrel, Skunk, and Snake (however unwillingly on Snake's part) was appealing as I had never imagined a friendship between the species, or pictured a snake as a cherished friend.

This book is a great and fantastic comedy book that Tor Seidler wrote about two woodchucks, Fred and Phoebe, who come to find a human child on the entrance to their burrow. They take her in as their own child but life is hard. Finding the foods she likes and not knowing what to do with her screaming and yelling 12:7.(12 hours, 7 days)Margaret, the human child, learns what true love is. Phoebe and Fred offer her the foods and take care of her risking anything. But she runs away after she gets sprayed by a skunk. Phoebe tries to look all over for her but can't find her. Read this great fantastic book to find out the lovely ending to this fantasy fiction book.
by J.Pak

This books fails to deliver on its promise of an outrageously funny book although it has its mements. For one thing, Margaret does not appear until Chapter 9, and the beginning chapters could be condensed into 2 or 3 snappy chapters. Margaret has no redeeming qualitites to engage a reader much less an animal family, and the description of her selfish, slovenly habits becomes tedious rather than funny. One wonders why her human family would miss her and, further yet, change for the better as a result of her absence. Although Margaret redeems herself slightly in the next to last chapter, by then it is hard to care. The one totally delightful aspect of this book is the art work of Jon Agee. However, the charming art cannot atone for the disappointment of a book purchased with high hopes as a read-aloud to second and third graders.

Reason for Reading: I've read one previous book by this author and since I enjoyed it was looking forward to reading another of his books.

I'm not sure "Mean Margaret" is actually the best title for this book as Margaret is not the main character, nor is the story really about her, but she is indeed the antagonist. The book concerns Fred, a woodchuck, and his search for a mate. His eventual marriage to the woodchuck Phoebe brings up the talk of children, which Phoebe loves and Fred hates, putting her off with lame excuses the next day they find a human child outside their burrow. Sally, renamed Margaret by the woodchucks, is the ninth child of the Hubble's, a fat lazy couple with progressively ruder and wilder children. Toddler Sally takes the cake though and no one but a mother could love her. Sharing room with siblings 6, 7, & 8, they plot to drop her off far away in the woods one night to hopefully never have to contend with her again. Such then, is the story of how Phoebe takes in this mannerliness, self-centred child to look after and care for and love as only a mother can love. Along with Fred and Phoebe are a cast of their animal friends including Skunk, Snake, Squirrel, Mr & Mrs Bat & Phoebe's sister with her own three young children. The story mainly takes place amongst the animals in the forest but does switch to the human Hubble family a few times.

This is a lovable, dear comedy where nearly everyone learns a life lesson by the end of the book. Fred and Phoebe are wonderful animal characters and anyone who enjoys this type of animal fantasy will certainly like this book. There are most definitely touches of Roald Dahl in Seidler's humour as his dark humour is laced with a witty meanness that makes this as much a fun read for adults as children. The artwork by Agee is plentiful and reminded me of William Steig in style. A funny story, touching and heartwarming at times, while giggle producing at others. Not exactly a fast-paced story but one to enjoy at its own leisurely pace. This read makes me want to re-read "A Rat's Tale" the only other Seidler book I've read, and go on to reading his other books.

A National Book Award finalist, this book is now all too little-known. It's a great story and Jon Agee's illustrations of loving woodchuck newlyweds and loud messy toddler convey humor and tenderness. A winner for kids eight to ten.
carolweston.com

I read Mean Margaret and I thought that it was very funny. Other people should read this book if they want to laugh a lot. I think that this book was a sensatinal read. I bet you would lOVE Mean Margaret! Once you have read it,you might want to recommend it to your friends. Your friends might like it too.

Did you ever wonder what would happen to a baby who gets ditched in the woods? If you like cartoon animal books who do human kind of things, than read Mean Margaret.

Tor seidler is my cousin, and always gives me his books for Christmas, or his mom does, but usually I don't get around to reading them, but this praticular one intrigued me, so I decided to see what it was like. I found myself indulged in an exciting and hysterical plot. This is a great read!