The MAGGIE B

Rating:
Summary: You must get this for your children!
Review: At the vast age of 25, I still have several of my childhood books. This is one of them, and it would be the last one that I would give up. The Maggie B taught me the art of imagination and the power it has in life. I have taken it with me everywhere, even to the college dorms, so that I could read it when I needed to get away. It teaches responibility and the need for self-reliance. I love this book.

Rating:
Summary: My life, my love and my lady is the sea
Review: I'm a scrupulous picture book reviewer. A person can't go around giving EVERY good picture book five stars just because it's enjoyable. When I review a book for younger children I like to point out its unique qualities. It's artistic originality. It's simple but brilliant storytelling. And then you read something like "The Maggie B." and it all goes flying out the window. "The Maggie B." is not particularly original. It's art, while charming, will not bowl you over with its fantastical use of line and color. It's story is told well, but simple. And yet I would be a hard-hearted grinch if I gave this book anything less than the five stars it so richly deserves.

The plot of this story is summed up by the Library of Congress like so: "A little girl's wish to sail for a day on a boat named for her `with someone nice for company' comes true". Maggie's little brother is that "someone nice" and the two of them spend the day on their little boat living the sea life. The boat is fully equipped with an apple, peach and orange tree bearing fruit (and a beautiful toucan). There is an abundance of fresh eggs and milk to be had from various chickens and the goat. Maggie herself fishes and serves up sumptuous meals of lobster and peaches with cinnamon and honey for dessert. The day is simple and homey, the only real source of concern a thunderstorm that crashes and booms towards the end of the day. Even then, Maggie thoughtfully battens down the hatches and plays her fiddle to her brother, tucked snugly in his bed.

There are only a few books that convey "comfort" well. Tasha Tudor's books do to some degree, as does the occasional Steven Kellogg. But this book tops them all. Author/illustrator Irene Haas has developed a small lovely little tale of two children on the nicest ship in the world. Any little boy or girl who has played house with a younger sibling will gravitate fully to this enchanting little tale. It will not shock you. It will not excite you. But it will wrap you up in a big warm towel just as Maggie does her little brother after taking a splashy bath in the sink. You will not want to leave the ship again.

Rating:
Summary: My life, my love and my lady is the sea
Review: I'm a scrupulous picture book reviewer. A person can't go around giving EVERY good picture book five stars just because it's enjoyable. When I review a book for younger children I like to point out its unique qualities. It's artistic originality. It's simple but brilliant storytelling. And then you read something like "The Maggie B." and it all goes flying out the window. "The Maggie B." is not particularly original. It's art, while charming, will not bowl you over with its fantastical use of line and color. It's story is told well, but simple. And yet I would be a hard-hearted grinch if I gave this book anything less than the five stars it so richly deserves.

The plot of this story is summed up by the Library of Congress like so: "A little girl's wish to sail for a day on a boat named for her 'with someone nice for company' comes true". Maggie's little brother is that "someone nice" and the two of them spend the day on their little boat living the sea life. The boat is fully equipped with an apple, peach and orange tree bearing fruit (and a beautiful toucan). There is an abundance of fresh eggs and milk to be had from various chickens and the goat. Maggie herself fishes and serves up sumptuous meals of lobster and peaches with cinnamon and honey for dessert. The day is simple and homey, the only real source of concern a thunderstorm that crashes and booms towards the end of the day. Even then, Maggie thoughtfully battens down the hatches and plays her fiddle to her brother, tucked snugly in his bed.

There are only a few books that convey "comfort" well. Tasha Tudor's books do to some degree, as does the occasional Steven Kellogg. But this book tops them all. Author/illustrator Irene Haas has developed a small lovely little tale of two children on the nicest ship in the world. Any little boy or girl who has played house with a younger sibling will gravitate fully to this enchanting little tale. It will not shock you. It will not excite you. But it will wrap you up in a big warm towel just as Maggie does her little brother after taking a splashy bath in the sink. You will not want to leave the ship again.

Rating:
Summary: absolutely enchanting!!!!!
Review: It has been at least 20 years since I read this book...And in my memory has remained my most favorite childhood book. I must have read it over one hundred times...it truly captivated me... I dreamed of being Maggie and having her responsibilities- they seemed so adult yet so much fun! My one and only disappointment with this book is that in the paperback I have, every other page is in black and white. And Irene Haas' beautiful water colors are the main reason I returned to The Maggie B. over and over again. I'm wondering if the hardcover is different or newer copies are different...I'm expecting my first child, and if it's a girl I will definately be reading this to her!!!

Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Childhood Book
Review: Lately I've been dreaming of getting away, finding magic, drinking tea and playing house - outside of my daily responsibilities. I realized that this fantasy was first instilled in me by the Maggie B. I've never seen it on my nieces' shelves and I wondered if it was even in print. Clicking onto Amazon and seeing the color illustration of the cover brought the whole book back to me, especially of Maggie, cooking for James aboard their floating home. And that is where I long to be. That is my fantasy.

Rating:
Summary: A Sweet story for any child
Review: The illustrations are beautiful, the story is captivating and timeless. I think this book would be a great gift for any child. I would recommend a hardcover copy as it is sure to be treasured in their collection.

I have been asking my mother for years to try and find my dog-eared copy of this book. I have fond memories of sweet Maggie tending to baby brother James on that magical boat. My sister and I must've read this book hundreds of times and our imaginations would take us to colorful places inspired by this book.

Rating:
Summary: This is the most wonderful book of my childhood.
Review: The illustrations in this book are absolutely amazing. The detail found in Irene Haas' watercolors are perfect for this imaginative dream of little Maggie B. A day on the Maggie B isn't all fun, but it taught me that doing work for those you love can be very rewarding.

Rating:
Summary: A Sweet story for any child
Review: This is one of the most gorgeaus illustrations we have come accross. The story is imaginative and very visual, the illustrations go perfectly and really make you feel like you have just taken a ride on the Maggie B.
I recommend this one!