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Moongobble and Me #3
The Evil Elves
Moongobble has successfully completed two of his three Mighty Tasks: He's collected the Golden Acorns of Alcoona and bottled the tears of the Weeping Werewolf. There's only one more Mighty Task to go, then Moongobble will become a member of the Society of Magicians. But this might be the most difficult one of them all. Moongobble must go deep into the Forest of Boodle to recover the Queen's Belly Button, a magical stone that was plucked off an ancient statue by a band of elves. The Belly Button has the power to tempt its owner to do evil things -- and those elves have been causing trouble left and right.
Moongobble enlists the help of Edward, Urk, the Rusty Knight, Fireball the Dragon, and Arfur, an old friend. Even with their help, this task won't be easy. Anyone who attempts to steal the Belly Button and fails will be turned into stone! Will Moongobble be able to successfully steal the stone and resist its powers?
Moongobble enlists the help of Edward, Urk, the Rusty Knight, Fireball the Dragon, and Arfur, an old friend. Even with their help, this task won't be easy. Anyone who attempts to steal the Belly Button and fails will be turned into stone! Will Moongobble be able to successfully steal the stone and resist its powers?
80 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
3 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
February 13, 2024
Edward becomes the assistant to a new magician who just moved into a cottage outside of the village. But Moongobble is not a very good magician. He is still learning magic and hoping to be admitted into the exclusive magician's guild. He has to complete several quests in order to prove his worth to the other magicians, and Edward is coming along to help!
I love the imaginative plot and delightful fairy-tale characters. The story is simple, but meaningful and full of fun! I like how each book in the series builds on each other as we meet more characters and visit more enchanted places in this fantasy world. These books are really funny too! The characters are sassy with some great dialogue and fun jokes.
The magic is very innocent, and the stories are never too scary. I love how almost every villain they encounter throughout the series turns out to be a misunderstood monster or a cursed person who needs help. They go questing around doing good for others and solving magical mysteries.
I think it's very sweet how Edward and Moongobble establish a trust right away. Although Moongobble is the adult and Edward is a child, it is often Edward who takes care of and protects Moongobble. But Moongobble is also very protective over Edward, so between the two of them, they come safely through all their adventures.
The writing is simple enough for a first-grader to read, but enjoyable enough for an adult to read. I loved this fun series!
I love the imaginative plot and delightful fairy-tale characters. The story is simple, but meaningful and full of fun! I like how each book in the series builds on each other as we meet more characters and visit more enchanted places in this fantasy world. These books are really funny too! The characters are sassy with some great dialogue and fun jokes.
The magic is very innocent, and the stories are never too scary. I love how almost every villain they encounter throughout the series turns out to be a misunderstood monster or a cursed person who needs help. They go questing around doing good for others and solving magical mysteries.
I think it's very sweet how Edward and Moongobble establish a trust right away. Although Moongobble is the adult and Edward is a child, it is often Edward who takes care of and protects Moongobble. But Moongobble is also very protective over Edward, so between the two of them, they come safely through all their adventures.
The writing is simple enough for a first-grader to read, but enjoyable enough for an adult to read. I loved this fun series!
December 13, 2019
For the Magicathon.
I didn't like the ending. Not gonna say why because it's a spoiler.
My favorite out of the first three books in this series is the weeping werewolf.
I didn't like the ending. Not gonna say why because it's a spoiler.
My favorite out of the first three books in this series is the weeping werewolf.
November 28, 2015
Moongobble has to face his third and final Mighty Task to become a member of the Society of Magicians. Along with his friends, they need to recover the stolen gem - The Queen's Belly Button (GOTTA love that name!) that is turning the elves evil. Overcoming obstacles and fears, the questors have an adventurous and entertaining journey. Wonderful illustrations as well!
July 13, 2018
The third installment of the Moongobble and Me series, in this one, Moongobble's friend Arfur comes to let him know that his friends and family have all turned bad, and he needs help. It is then that the wizard, Fazwad, arrives and Moongobble is charged with his third mighty task - to bring back the stone that has turned the elf village evil. But it is easier said than done, as the stone turns anyone who possesses it evil.
Such a fun story, and another great read-aloud with my five year old son.
Such a fun story, and another great read-aloud with my five year old son.
August 17, 2025
This was a cute children's story, written well as only Bruce Coville can do it. There were serious as well as laugh-out-loud funny sections (all I can say is "cheese"). I truly enjoyed listening to this recording and look forward to listening to Moongobble's further adventures.
February 4, 2018
I thought this book was amazing because near the end Moongobble could finally use his magic and not make cheese.
February 16, 2018
adorable
August 22, 2018
The first chapter book my three year old really was invested in!
March 25, 2020
I love this little book serious. Makes me feel like a kid.
January 12, 2021
Very fun series, great for reading aloud to preschool or early elementary. A fun fantasy story without being too scary.
June 26, 2022
This series is getting worse and worse 😂 but still fun for the boys.
December 5, 2011
ORIGINALLY POSTED AT Fantasy Literature.
Moongobble has successfully (sort of) completed two of his three tasks to prove that he deserves to be a magician. His third task is to retrieve a jewel called The Queen’s Belly Button, which has the power to turn its owner evil, from the elves who stole it. The elves, who used to be peaceful creatures, have been badly influenced by the Belly Button and they do not want to give it back.
Edward et al. once again set out with Moongobble to help him get the jewel. It’s obvious by now that Moongobble always needs help because every time he attempts a magic spell, he is still turning things into cheese. Will Moongobble, Edward, and the rest of the gang be able to resist the temptation of the Queen’s Belly Button?
Again, there’s some repetitiveness as the reader is re-oriented to Bruce Coville’s world, and the same pattern is followed exactly, but this is mostly forgivable in a book aimed at children in grades 2-4. The recap is done quickly and the adventure begins almost immediately. As usual, there’s a surprise at the end!
The Evil Elves is the third book in Bruce Coville’s MOONGOBBLE AND ME series. Like its predecessors, it’s an hour long on audio and superbly produced by Full Cast Audio. I can highly recommend this series on audio, but you might want to also take a look at the print version because it’s beautifully illustrated by Bruce Coville’s wife, Katherine. My daughters and I have enjoyed listening to MOONGOBBLE AND ME together, but my older daughter (4th grade) is also planning to check out the hardbacks from the library so she can read them and get credit for Scholastic’s Reading Counts Program.
There are still a couple of books left in the MOONGOBBLE AND ME series. I’ve already downloaded the next one, The Mischief Monster.
Moongobble has successfully (sort of) completed two of his three tasks to prove that he deserves to be a magician. His third task is to retrieve a jewel called The Queen’s Belly Button, which has the power to turn its owner evil, from the elves who stole it. The elves, who used to be peaceful creatures, have been badly influenced by the Belly Button and they do not want to give it back.
Edward et al. once again set out with Moongobble to help him get the jewel. It’s obvious by now that Moongobble always needs help because every time he attempts a magic spell, he is still turning things into cheese. Will Moongobble, Edward, and the rest of the gang be able to resist the temptation of the Queen’s Belly Button?
Again, there’s some repetitiveness as the reader is re-oriented to Bruce Coville’s world, and the same pattern is followed exactly, but this is mostly forgivable in a book aimed at children in grades 2-4. The recap is done quickly and the adventure begins almost immediately. As usual, there’s a surprise at the end!
The Evil Elves is the third book in Bruce Coville’s MOONGOBBLE AND ME series. Like its predecessors, it’s an hour long on audio and superbly produced by Full Cast Audio. I can highly recommend this series on audio, but you might want to also take a look at the print version because it’s beautifully illustrated by Bruce Coville’s wife, Katherine. My daughters and I have enjoyed listening to MOONGOBBLE AND ME together, but my older daughter (4th grade) is also planning to check out the hardbacks from the library so she can read them and get credit for Scholastic’s Reading Counts Program.
There are still a couple of books left in the MOONGOBBLE AND ME series. I’ve already downloaded the next one, The Mischief Monster.
October 26, 2011
“The Evil Elves” is a book written by Bruce Coville. It is fantasy complete with magical powers and extraordinary worlds. The book is part of the Moongobble and Me series of books.
The Moongobble character possesses magical powers. He is able to (and quite frequently does) turn himself into cheese. He is a magician whose magical powers are not that great.
Moongobble’s goal is to join the Society of Magicians but in order to do that he must perform one last deed as directed by Fazwad – obtain the Queen’s Belly Button, a magical stone. The stone is in the village of the elves and causes the elves to be evil.
The action takes place in the elves village. The main character in the story is a boy who agrees, with the permission of his parents, to help Moongobble on his quest for the Queen’s Belly Button. In order for the boy to successfully help Moongobble he must shrink himself to the size of an elf. After doing this he is able to enter the world of the elves and obtain the stone.
My rating for this book is three stars. The names of the characters were far out (Moongobble, Fazwad, Arfur) and the story is not original in any way. However I cannot totally write the book off. I read the book from the perspective of an adult a child may love the characters and their quest. Also the ending of the book is a good catalyst for a social skills discussion. Because I think children may enjoy the book and it does (at the end) provide a social skills message, I think it is a “to read.”
The Moongobble character possesses magical powers. He is able to (and quite frequently does) turn himself into cheese. He is a magician whose magical powers are not that great.
Moongobble’s goal is to join the Society of Magicians but in order to do that he must perform one last deed as directed by Fazwad – obtain the Queen’s Belly Button, a magical stone. The stone is in the village of the elves and causes the elves to be evil.
The action takes place in the elves village. The main character in the story is a boy who agrees, with the permission of his parents, to help Moongobble on his quest for the Queen’s Belly Button. In order for the boy to successfully help Moongobble he must shrink himself to the size of an elf. After doing this he is able to enter the world of the elves and obtain the stone.
My rating for this book is three stars. The names of the characters were far out (Moongobble, Fazwad, Arfur) and the story is not original in any way. However I cannot totally write the book off. I read the book from the perspective of an adult a child may love the characters and their quest. Also the ending of the book is a good catalyst for a social skills discussion. Because I think children may enjoy the book and it does (at the end) provide a social skills message, I think it is a “to read.”
July 7, 2015
This book is so cute! Bruce Coville always comes up with such fun and bubbly stories! He's definitely an author that I admire.
I discovered this book at my local thrift store - never heard of the series before. From what this book has shown me, the series looks really enjoyable for kids. I myself had some laughs over this particular story, mostly at the characters names. There's even a stone that's called the Queen’s Belly Button. O__O
Oh yeah! The pages within this book are pure eye candy. It's very decorative!~
I discovered this book at my local thrift store - never heard of the series before. From what this book has shown me, the series looks really enjoyable for kids. I myself had some laughs over this particular story, mostly at the characters names. There's even a stone that's called the Queen’s Belly Button. O__O
Oh yeah! The pages within this book are pure eye candy. It's very decorative!~
August 23, 2023
I was a little worried Bruce Coville wouldn't live up to his former glory here, but just like in Dumb and Dumber, he went and totally redeemed himself by throwing in a butt wiggle and calling someone a boob, leaving me 100% satisfied. I am also greatly indebted to my little guy for having a book near completion, that we could use to finish up my book challenge when I was struck with the flu at crunch time.
June 29, 2011
Great vivid language for kids. Who wouldn't laugh at the "The Queen's Bellybutton" being the magical stone that must be recovered :) This might be just the thing for a reluctant reader as it is full of fun.
Bruce Coville has written over 90 books, I am going to try to read one from each series.
Bruce Coville has written over 90 books, I am going to try to read one from each series.
November 24, 2014
Another in the "Moongobble and Me" series with good, wholesome themes: holding onto happiness in the face of evil and being kind to others even when others are less than kind to you. My boys are loving these books. They are short little volumes and we can get through them pretty fast, which is a plus with our sporadic reading.
January 26, 2016
A great ending to the 3 tasks of Moongobble. In this one Moongobble had to overcome evil with good thoughts & it turned out better than he could have imagined:) I thoroughly enjoyed this "trilogy." I think I saw that Coville has written more about Moongobble. I will probably read those too. I just wish these had been around a few years ago.
October 7, 2008
The third mighty task to gain Moongobble's entrace into the Magical Society. The elves are under and evil influence and Moongobble and Edward must save the elves.
I love this series. Highly recommended
I love this series. Highly recommended
November 30, 2007
As always, Bruce Coville writes an entertaining yarn for young readers. My 9 year old son loved the series as much as I did.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
kids-books-research
February 29, 2008Think this is the third one.
July 21, 2009
WOW! Erk! A pink CAT!
February 1, 2011
The Moon Gobble and Me series is a fun fantasy series for third or fouth grade readers. The books on tape are particularly fun with lots of different voices!
December 2, 2011
I think I'm hooked on this series.
June 11, 2018
A fun ending to a fun series. My five year old LOVES Moongobble books.
August 21, 2012
Cute book... I haven't read the first two (oops) but didn't feel lost. Enjoyed the book and appreciated the emphasis on good character traits. Clean, fine for young readers.
March 24, 2015
What a nice end to a fun trilogy. I really enjoy reading Coville's stories.
December 11, 2016
COVILLE, BRUCE
The Evil Elves
Tests of magic and friendship. Only a very good heart can resist the spell.
A glorious children’s book that this adult found very encouraging.
The Evil Elves
Tests of magic and friendship. Only a very good heart can resist the spell.
A glorious children’s book that this adult found very encouraging.
January 8, 2017
A playful book for elementary kids.
August 16, 2015
This is a beginner chapter book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews