Elsie Times Eight

by Natalie Babbitt

Fairy godmothers are supposed to set things straight, but Elsie's fairy godmother sometimes sets things wrong. When she changes one Elsie into eight, the results make a mess for everyone, from Elsie's cat right on up to the Mayor. And the noise! Well, it's so bad that Elsie and her family, including cat and goats, have to look for somewhere else to live. But al comes out right in the end--unless you are a mouse.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Natalie Zane Babbitt was an American writer and illustrator of children's books. Her 1975 novel, Tuck Everlasting, was adapted into two feature films and a Broadway musical. She received the Newbery Honor and Christopher Award, and was the U.S. nominee for the biennial international Hans Christian Andersen Award in 1982.

Reviews

[Cosette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great - love the pictures - and the message

[Alli Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book Elsie Times Eight is about a young girl named Elsie whose fairy godmother comes to visit from time to time. Through a misunderstanding, she thought Elsie’s Mama said she wanted four Elsies. So she turned one Elsie into four. Then when Papa said “WAIT” the fairy godmother heard eight and turned the four Elsie’s into eight. Eight Elsie’s created a lot of noise and problems, the family was told they had to leave town. On their way, they found the fairy godmother who turned the eight Elsie’s back into the original Elsie. However, you’ll never guess how many cats she thought they wanted at the end of the book.
This book is a great example of the fantasy genre. This could be used in the classroom as a text scavenger hunt. Students could be given multiple books, with this being one, and have to search for features that make the book(s) qualify as the fantasy genre.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elsie's fairy godmother is hard of hearing so doesn't understand what both Elsie's mother and father said. This leads to eight Elsie's and a lot of misadventures and loud noise. Finally, this is resolved but the godmother finishes the story by acting on the next thing she mishears. Humorous read aloud.

[elsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant

[Juli Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whimsical and just a touch absurd.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked Babbitt's other books. This one was fun. But also a little disturbing. Not least of which was the you clown on the last page. Did not read it to my little.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is adorable!
When Elsie's hard-of-hearing Fairy Godmother thinks Elsie's mother wished for more Elsies, there is a problem. And when the Fairy Godmother tries to fix it, she only makes things worse.
Great illustrations, and a fun story. Share it with a child.

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this up at the library because it was on one of my "living math" book lists. This truly had nothing to do with math and wasn't even very entertaining. The illustrations were ok and the story was so-so. The kids were not impressed.

[Melissa]

This is one of my daughter's new favorite books. I got it at a discount at the grocery store but she loves it and it's very sweet. We love the illustrations. We've read it every night.

[cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

good story to read at the beginning of the school year- the puns plenty/twenty are fun but something about the middle (elsie's family having to move) seems flat and forced.

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

A hard of hearing fairy godmother turns a little girl into eight of herself and problems ensue.

Okay illustrations.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

eh