Maybelle and the Haunted Cupcake

by Speck, Katie; Rátz de Tagyos, Paul

• ISBN13: 9780805094688
• ISBN10: 0805094687
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2012-08-07
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)

Summary

Maybelle the cockroach loves tasty crumbs and scrumptious sprinkles, but she is tired of braving the dangers of Mr. and Mrs. Peabody's kitchen: the flattening feet, the bright light, and especially the cat, Ramona. Enter Bernice. She's an ant with a head cold who can't find her way back to her nest, and she adopts Maybelle as her new queen. But Bernice has a habit of getting into trouble, causing the Peabodys to think their house is haunted. Can't a cockroach ever get a break?

Author Biography

Katie Speck is the author of two other popular Maybelle stories: Maybelle in the Soup and Maybelle Goes to Tea. She lives in Kansas City, Missouri.

 

 

Paul Rátz de Tagyos is the illustrator of several books for children, including the first two Maybelle books. He lives in New Rochelle, New York.

Table of Contents

Praise and awards for Maybelle in the Soup:

Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List

* “Delightful details will make adults giggle right along with new readers. . . . Maybelle is one cockroach who will be welcome back any day.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“With its short chapters and simple dialogue, this story of friendship and wishful dreaming will engage readers. . . . Recommend this to reluctant readers who might have a penchant for the buggy side of life or those who want more from their world, no matter how young they are.” —School Library Journal

Praise for Maybelle Goes to Tea:

“Short sentences, laugh-out-loud situations, and likable characters make this second series entry a winner.” —Kirkus Reviews

Excerpts

Maybelle and the Haunted Cupcake

1

Make a Wish

At last it was evening at Number 10 Grand Street. In the afternoon, Myrtle Peabody had baked Mystery Ingredient Miniature Cupcakes for the Ladies' Annual Bake Sale. She had decorated them JUST SO with pink icing and chopped nuts and chocolate sprinkles. Now she arranged them on a platter for her husband, Herbert, to admire.

Watching from her cozy little home under the refrigerator, Maybelle the Cockroach waved her antennae. "Yum! I know what I want for dinner. I'm going to have a taste of those cupcakes," she said to her friend Henry the Flea.

"Just remember The Rules, Maybelle."

Maybelle recited them by heart: "When it's light, stay out of sight; if you're spied, better hide; never meet with human feet.Don't worry. I'll wait until it's safe,Henry. But why does getting something to eat have to be so hard?"

"It isn't," Henry said. "It's easy. I live on Ramona, and when I get hungry, I bite her." Ramona was the Peabodys' cat. She was napping close by on the kitchen floor.

"That's fine for you," Maybelle said. "But I'm tired of going out for food and worrying about The Rules and being chased by Ramona. I wish I could eat at home. I wish someone would bring food to me right here."

"Be careful what you wish for, Maybelle. Sometimes wishes come true," Henry said.

Maybelle would soon find out what he meant.

Text copyright © 2012 by Katie Speck