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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
This fanciful story questions the value of beauty yet spins out of control after a promising start. Jennifer, a fifth-grader, agonizes over her appearance--"I'm just a kid in the plain brown wrapper"--and her schoolmates' taunts are doubly painful. After purchasing a toad from a mysterious shopkeeper Jennifer is amazed to discover that not only can Bufo talk, he can mimic voices unerringly. At school the canny amphibian inflicts vengeance on Sharra, a nasty classmate. When a gorgeous witch kidnaps Jennifer's youngest sibling, her evil intentions are thwarted by teamwork--and by Jennifer's sacrifices that reveal qualities surpassing mere beauty. Coville's ( Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher ) comical classroom scenes lapse into a convoluted web involving Bufo's long-lost sweetheart and the belabored idea that pulchritude denotes cruelty; unattractiveness, humanity. The book's laudable message, however, is clearly delineated, and as kind, loyal Jennifer endures a poor self-image, one hopes readers will see the light. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6--As is this series' pattern, a child who is having a problem runs away and finds herself in the magic shop with Mr. Elives. Jennifer believes she is ugly and has trouble making friends. Wanting a pet, she buys Bufo, a toad hatched years before from the mouth of a witch who spewed out frogs, snakes, and other nas ty items. He has spent his recent life looking for his lost love, another toad. Naturally, he helps Jennifer see her in ner self. In the process, she, her brother, and a school enemy are all turned into toads. Meanwhile, the witch is out to find Bufo. It all gets somewhat confus ing, but as in earlier books, an adult steps in, and all turns out for the best. Very similar in plot to Coville's Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher (HBJ, 1991), the story moves well, with realistic char acterizations. Fans of Coville's earlier books will probably like this as well, es pecially when the children-cum-toads discover their appetite for bugs. The black-and-white illustrations go well with the text, featuring an expressive toad and an unattractive Jennifer and witch. The theme of inner beauty is par ticularly well handled for this age group.
-Margaret C. Howell, West Springfield Elementary School, VA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
See all Editorial Reviews
This fanciful story questions the value of beauty yet spins out of control after a promising start. Jennifer, a fifth-grader, agonizes over her appearance--"I'm just a kid in the plain brown wrapper"--and her schoolmates' taunts are doubly painful. After purchasing a toad from a mysterious shopkeeper Jennifer is amazed to discover that not only can Bufo talk, he can mimic voices unerringly. At school the canny amphibian inflicts vengeance on Sharra, a nasty classmate. When a gorgeous witch kidnaps Jennifer's youngest sibling, her evil intentions are thwarted by teamwork--and by Jennifer's sacrifices that reveal qualities surpassing mere beauty. Coville's ( Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher ) comical classroom scenes lapse into a convoluted web involving Bufo's long-lost sweetheart and the belabored idea that pulchritude denotes cruelty; unattractiveness, humanity. The book's laudable message, however, is clearly delineated, and as kind, loyal Jennifer endures a poor self-image, one hopes readers will see the light. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6--As is this series' pattern, a child who is having a problem runs away and finds herself in the magic shop with Mr. Elives. Jennifer believes she is ugly and has trouble making friends. Wanting a pet, she buys Bufo, a toad hatched years before from the mouth of a witch who spewed out frogs, snakes, and other nas ty items. He has spent his recent life looking for his lost love, another toad. Naturally, he helps Jennifer see her in ner self. In the process, she, her brother, and a school enemy are all turned into toads. Meanwhile, the witch is out to find Bufo. It all gets somewhat confus ing, but as in earlier books, an adult steps in, and all turns out for the best. Very similar in plot to Coville's Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher (HBJ, 1991), the story moves well, with realistic char acterizations. Fans of Coville's earlier books will probably like this as well, es pecially when the children-cum-toads discover their appetite for bugs. The black-and-white illustrations go well with the text, featuring an expressive toad and an unattractive Jennifer and witch. The theme of inner beauty is par ticularly well handled for this age group.
-Margaret C. Howell, West Springfield Elementary School, VA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
See all Editorial Reviews
Product Details
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