Maybelle in the Soup
(Maybelle #1)

Gr 25Maybelle is a lone cockroach living in the pristine Peabody household. She has a cozy home beneath the refrigerator and a faithful friend, Henry the Flea, who is a constant voice of reason when she tests the limits of her small world. Rhyming rules like "never meet with human feet" and "when it's light, stay out of sight" have kept Maybelle safe thus far, but she is tired of eating fallen crumbs and longs for food that hasn't touched the floor. The moment she picks to head to the table, though, happens to come during a dinner party with Very Important Guests. A splash into the soup starts her on a string of adventures, including a run-in with the family cat (where Henry "lived and dined") and a first-ever vacation (via Mrs. Peabody's suitcase) at a swanky hotel with foil-wrapped chocolates on the pillowsand room service. With its short chapters and simple dialogue, this story of friendship and wishful dreaming will engage readers. Although the voices help to define the characters, the wonderfully energetic illustrations bring them to life. Recommend this to reluctant readers who might have a penchant for the buggy side of life or those who want more from their world, no matter how young they are.Cheryl Ashton, Amherst Public Library, OH Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Maybelle is one cockroach who will be welcome back any day. (Fiction. 6-10)

Copyright Kirkus Reviews 2007, LLC Used with Permission.