THE ODIOUS OGRE

Fifty years ago Norton Juster burst on the children’s book scene when his novel THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH became an instant classic. Now, five decades later, this picture book recalls its wordplay, humor, and fantasy. In this tale, an “exceedingly hungry” and “absolutely merciless” Ogre is feared by townsfolk, except for one brave young woman. The story makes a marvelous audio adaptation with James Jenner’s emphasis on the author’s passion for words, which is largely expressed by the impressive vocabulary of the Ogre, who once swallowed a dictionary along with a librarian. The Ogre’s deep-voiced rumblings help listeners imagine his fierceness and experience the story’s humor when his terrible temper contrasts with the calm-voiced, steady-willed, sweet tones of his vanquishing heroine. S.W. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2010]