SAYGAR THE MAGNIFICIENT

Rick Struve's enjoyment of this delightful story and its characters is apparent in his sparkling narration. Joseph Mateo is a shy third grader who's been encouraged to do a school show-and-tell to boost his confidence. So he decides to put sand and an ant in a soda bottle and call it an ant farm. Things take a surprising turn after the ant--Saygar A. Hill--grows into a boy after eating lots of sugar. Struve excels with sincere Joseph and naughty but endearing Saygar, but he's best as Marcie, a whiny tattletale who "uncovers" the secret new student. Adding to the listening pleasure are meeting Joseph's vocal family and hearing his growing confidence. The closing glossary of Spanish words adds authenticity. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2020]