The World's Worst Fairy Godmother

Maybelle Clodnowski's heart is in the right place, but her skills as a fairy godmother haven't improved in over a century. Her version of the frog prince cure is a disaster that her boss, Mr. Peters, has to fix. He's giving Maybelle one last chance to do the job right or lose her wand and wings. Edna Prim, Fairy Godmother of the Year for many years running, is being sent along as her supervisor.

Maybelle's last chance is a little girl who tries to be absolutely perfect in every way. Naturally, she has no friends. There's only one game the other kids ever let her play, and she was always in the title role. Why she thought she got that role is enough to make one gag. (Just remembering it -- well, it's a good thing I haven't had breakfast show more yet.) Susan's own maternal grandmother doesn't want to have anything to with her. So why does Maybelle's plan to help Susan involve having the child take a basket of fruit to her grandmother?

Maybelle's plan won't work -- if an imp named Zozmagog has his way. Zozmagog's plan is music to his assistant, Zitzel's, ears. The contrast between the ingredients and words of the two spells is very great. The result is quite funny. However will things get sorted out?

Brian Ajhar's cover doesn depict the main characters exactly as they appear in Katherine Coville's illustrations, but both artitsts capture the humor of the text and they're both quite good with expressions.

There's a lesson to be learned, but it's not rammed down the reader's throat. Call this one good fun for kids and adults alike. show less

Lexile: 570
Reading Recovery: 21
DRA: 28
Fountas Pinnel Guided Reading: M