Mr. Zidderdeedee

by Diane Page, Bruce Bigelow (Author and Illustrator)

Bobbs, the Little Boy and Agnes had become very good friends. When the weather was nice they enjoyed playing in their treehouse. They laughed and told secrets. The Little Boy had found a delightful book he wanted to share with Bobbs and Agnes. And so the story of Mr. Zidderdeedee begins. While the Little Boy was reading Mr. Zidderdeedee to them, they were spellbound. Mr. Zidderdeedee was a jolly fellow and he certainly had a very important job to do. Was Mr. Zidderdeedee real? Young readers will decide.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

34 pages, Unknown Binding

First published July 1, 2014

About the author

Diane Page started her career in education in the late '6-s as an elementary school teacher, assistant principal and principal. She later piloted a pre-kindergarten program with the Tupelo Public School District and was on faculty with the University of Mississippi.

Her debut publication, "The Paraeducator in the Elementary School Classroom," was the first work of its kind written especially for assistant teachers. For nine years, before retiring in 2010, she served as the education coordinator at the Lee County Juvenile Center.

Page's first children's book "Bobbs and the Little Boy," sends a resoundingly clear message of normalcy to all children who fear such things as clowns, scary animals and thunderstorms. The Little Boy ever so lovingly explains as children grow and mature, these fears, for the most part, will go away, especially with the friendship of a small, stuffed creature.

Page is also the author of "Bobbs and the Little Boy Meet Agnes," "Roy and Roo Take a Trip to the Zoo" and "Mr. Zidderdeedee." All four books are masterfully illustrated by Bruce Bigelow.

Page is the proud parent of two grown children, Elizabeth and Leighton, and grandmother of Alston, Avery and Eliza Tyer and Zachary and Natalie Page, whom she calls the most amazing blessing of her life.

Reviews

[Andréa · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a strange, quirky little book! Mr. Zidderdeedee reminded me a bit of the Doozers from Fraggle Rock: tiny, mostly green, and hard at work. The story is a bit strange, though, and straddles the line between fanciful and explanatory. I would have preferred if it had been a bit more one way or the other -- either a quirky, fanciful story about a tiny little man, or an explanation of how plants get water.

Note: I received a digital galley of this book through NetGalley.

[Elaine - Splashes Into Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another children's book that's told in rhyme
That seems to work a treat every time
The story is great, very appealing
About life under the tree, its really revealing
Children will love this tale, it's true
And so will parents, grandparents and you
If you'd like to encourage children to think
Just how each tree gets to take a drink!

[Felicity Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr Zidderdeedee
By Diane Page
Read 10th June 2014
As much as I can comment on a book for children, without seeing the colour- I would like to say I loved it! I immediately thought of my 5 year old Grand daughter; she would love the illustrations. This is the sort of book which gives rise to conversation about the environment- the sort of book which invokes wonder and enchantment. I loved the words “I am, If you believe.” Of course we believe… and that is what the wonder of children’s’ literature is all about. I loved the rhyming feel to the dialogue; to make sure facts are understood. A super little book which gets 5 stars from me. Thank you publishers.

[Jayna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute rhyming book about a tiny man, Mr. Zidderdeedee, who waters tree roots in the rain.
I like the illustrations.
I'm a little conflicted with the story. It is quite obvious a fantasy book, but I'm not sure I care for Mr. Zidderdeedee to water roots with a hose. The book does a pretty good job of explaining why water is important, but I don't like the combination of incorrect information and fantasy.

I received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

For once, my kiddos liked one more than me. The whole time I was reading it to them, I kept asking myself, "What's the point?". The kids liked the rhyming, they always do. However, I couldn't understand the purpose of a man who lives in the ground who makes sure trees get water, I thought it was dumb.

[ReadingWench · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute book. I love the story.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely one for younger readers, this quirky little book was thoroughly enjoyed by my five-year-old, even though I found it a little underwhelming. The surreal comparisons of Mr Zidderdeedee with belly button fluff and marshmallows (the tiny kind) were a big hit and the image of him watering the tree roots really captured her imagination. I can see the 'if you believe...' line at the end creating a generation of children who are convinced that there are little people watering tree roots all over the world. I found both the writing and artwork a bit hit-and-miss - for example, some of the lines have an adept command of rhythm and rhyme, while others seem strained. Similarly, the illustrations of the children seem lacking in character and expression, whereas the pictures of Mr Zidderdeedee going about his duties under the tree are charmingly simple and have a great use of colour and composition. Despite these criticism, this book is worth a look if you have a younger child. I could see it becoming a favourite for many children who are captivated by the idea of Mr Zidderdeedee and his very important job.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked this one better than her first two books. It's clearly targeted at quite young children--fewer words, and there is a rhyming scheme to facilitate reading aloud, although the meter is clunky on more than a few of the pages, which could make you stumble in your recitation.

Most of the story is about a tiny man, Mr. Zidderdeedee, who lives beneath a big tree and makes sure the roots get watered when it rains. I'm unclear why it's necessary to poke a funnel up through the grass to collect the water and run it via a garden hose to the roots instead of just letting the rain soak down, but I guess if you can accept the idea of a tiny man living under a tree, then perhaps the ecological inaccuracies wouldn't bother you anyway. I think Ms. Page was aiming for whimsy; however, in the end it just wasn't my cup of tea.

I received a free PDF copy of this title from the publicist in exchange for my review.

[S Farneth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This silly little rhyming tale is exactly that – a silly little rhyming tale. Don’t try to get too much more out of it. Two thirds of the story is a description of Mr. Zidderdeedee, how tiny he is; how he lives underground; he’s a hard guy to see. You feel like you’re almost to the end before you find out he’s there to collect water and make sure the trees and roots of plants have enough to drink.

Little ones will love the rhymes and giggle at his name -- Mr. Zidderdeedee. The illustrations show what goes on above ground while Mr. Zidderdeedee is at work below and how we don’t even know he is there. Little children will like this book because the rhyming makes it fun and they can see the little man.

[Courtney (Life as a Convert) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is Mr. Zidderdeedee real? That is the question I was left asking myself and my children after we finished reading Mr. Zidderdeedee by Diane Page and Bruce Bigelow, with illustrations by Bruce Bigelow. Losh said “No” and shook his head with a slight smile. I think he had some doubts inside him.

You see, Mr. Zidderdeedee is a tiny little man who lives beneath a tree in the park. His job is to water the roots of the tree when it rains.

This is a “read aloud” book, geared towards a younger audience with its rhyming words. The illustrations were cute and the story of Mr. Zidderdeedee, though quirky, is sure to be a favorite among your children.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Zidderdeedee by Diane Page (author) and Bruce Bigelow (author and illustrator) is a fun, charming book for young readers about a little man who lives underground and waters tree roots.

I love rhyming books, especially when they are wonderfully illustrated. Mr. Zidderdeedee excels on both accounts.

The story premise may seem a bit silly, and it is, but that is one of the plusses of the book for me; this could be a great jumping off point for parents to discuss with even young children about the basics of soil irrigation and such.

Plus I just kind of like the idea that a little man lives underground taking care of trees, especially one with such a fun name.

Highly recommended!

[Carolyn Injoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Zidderdeedee by Diane Page (Author) and Bruce Bigelow (Author and Illustrator)

I received a free copy from NetGalley for review. I gave it five stars.

This is a fanciful and entertaining children's book. It could easily be read aloud to much younger children. The rhyming makes it easy and fun to read. It also would be an excellent 'learning to read book' once the name Mr. Zidderdeedee was initially sounded out.

It's a cute story and I enjoyed reading it. I highly recommend it to parents and children alike.

[Walt Bristow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children are naturally curious about the world around them. How does, for example, a tree get a drink of water? Perhaps, author Diane Page and illustrator Bruce Bigelow suggest, Mr. Zidderdeedee (along with others like him?) play a role. Children will be engaged. They may even be on the lookout the next time it rains. Parents will enjoy that their children will ask questions about nature and the marvelous world in which we all grow up — eventually.

[Christopher Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read with joy
Do you not see?
Way down underground,
Lives Mister Z.

This is a delightful children's story book about the elusive Mr. Zidderdeedee. He's tough to see, but he's hard at work watering the big tree. I think children will love hearing about this tiny little guy.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book the best. I love thinking of a little person who lives underground helping the trees grow!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

very cute. the rhyming was fun and simple for little kids to understand and enjoy. the topic was interesting and made the story just that much more fun.