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. (c) AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine

August 2, 2010
After a nearly 50-year wait, Juster’s reunion with his Phantom Tollbooth collaborator Feiffer is squarely in keeping with their earlier fairy tale drollery. Feiffer’s ogre, scrawled in scribbly brown outline, snores on his back in a forest of Lilliputian trees in one spread, then strides off in search of a snack in the next. (Feiffer often draws him from the boots up, the better to convey his massive size.) The ogre’s victims usually cower hopelessly before him, but this time, the specimen he encounters—a slim, wide-eyed young woman in a long blue dress—undoes him with kindness. “Oh, you’re not really so terrible,” she says sweetly. “I’ll bet if you brushed your teeth, combed your hair, found some new clothes, and totally changed your attitude you’d be quite nice.” The ogre’s mighty tantrum shakes the forest, but she remains calm. “Would you consider doing that for the orphans’ picnic next week? I know the children would love it.” The ogre’s speedy exit—he drops dead—is a bit of a throwaway, but Juster’s narrative insouciance and Feiffer’s pen and brush haven’t lost their magic. All ages.