About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with a big, intimidating problem or feels overwhelmed by someone with a loud, aggressive personality. It is a sophisticated yet accessible story about an enormous, arrogant ogre who believes he is invincible until he encounters a young woman whose simple kindness and lack of fear completely disarm him. While the ogre's size and vocabulary are large, the story provides a comforting message that intellect and emotional composure are more powerful than brute force. Norton Juster, the author of The Phantom Tollbooth, uses rich, delicious vocabulary that makes this a perfect choice for expanding a child's language skills. It offers a wonderful opportunity to discuss how we perceive threats and the importance of staying true to oneself even when others are acting out. The book is ideal for children ages 4 to 9, offering slapstick humor for the younger set and clever irony for older readers.
