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Zeralda's Ogre
The giant appetite of the ogre can only be satisfied by the flesh of children until young Zeralda tames his taste buds with her culinary art
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1967
About the author
Tomi Ungerer
290 books187 followersJean-Thomas "Tomi" Ungerer was a French illustrator best known for his erotic and political illustrations as well as children's books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
March 23, 2020
A lonely old ogre who likes to eat children commits terrible depredations on the surrounding human settlements in this picture-book from Tomi Ungerer, forcing people to hide their young. The ogre, now finding it difficult to locate his favorite food, becomes ever more hungry, and ever more grumpy. Enter Zeralda, a young cook and gourmand living with her farmer father far from any town. When Zeralda runs into the ogre on her way to market, her compassion for the hungry creature, passed out after a surprise dive onto her cart, leads her to cook him a delicious meal. This, in turn, leads to her eventual role as his cook, and his renunciation of child-devouring. So complete is Zeralda's reform of her ogre, that when she grows into a beautiful woman, they .
Originally published in Switzerland in 1967 as Zeralda's Riese, this classic original fairy-tale reminds me quite a bit of Tomi Ungerer's The Three Robbers (1961), which also features fearsome adult figures who are reformed by a young girl-child. Whether this is intended as a commentary on the innocence of the young, or simply their potential to see wrong-doers without fear or anger, as people needing help rather than deserving punishment, is up for debate. Whatever the case may be, the story here felt both wholly original and satisfyingly folkloric. The ending, as is to be expected from Ungerer, was completely unexpected. The artwork (again, not unexpectedly), was immensely appealing, capturing the ogre's fearsome villainy and Zeralda's matter-of-fact kindness perfectly. Recommended to all Tomi Ungerer fans, and to anyone looking for original fairy-tales.
Originally published in Switzerland in 1967 as Zeralda's Riese, this classic original fairy-tale reminds me quite a bit of Tomi Ungerer's The Three Robbers (1961), which also features fearsome adult figures who are reformed by a young girl-child. Whether this is intended as a commentary on the innocence of the young, or simply their potential to see wrong-doers without fear or anger, as people needing help rather than deserving punishment, is up for debate. Whatever the case may be, the story here felt both wholly original and satisfyingly folkloric. The ending, as is to be expected from Ungerer, was completely unexpected. The artwork (again, not unexpectedly), was immensely appealing, capturing the ogre's fearsome villainy and Zeralda's matter-of-fact kindness perfectly. Recommended to all Tomi Ungerer fans, and to anyone looking for original fairy-tales.
May 1, 2022
Kindness Turns A Ravaging Monster
21 Apr 22 – Mooloolaba
This is a book that was given to me as a present by my favourite Aunty and Uncle back when I was 7, and then claimed by my brother, who has basically claimed all of our books from when we were young. Also, as is typical of him, he pretty much refuses to let go of them, despite the fact that he never reads them, which I have to admit is a good thing because it means that these books that I have basically forgotten about are still in existence.
Anyway, this is a story about an ogre that eats children. However, because it has become pretty apparent that this ogre eats children, and raids the local village on a regular basis, everybody has learnt to hide their children which results in the ogre simply eating gruel. However, one-day Zeralda is wandering past to sell her father’s goods in town, and the ogre sees her and attempts to ambush her, but trips, falls, and injures himself. However, unlike your typical Dungeons and Dragons character, who would use this as an opportunity to kill the ogre and thus get experience points, Zeralda nurses the ogre back to health, and makes him a sumptuous meal. The meal turns out to be so delicious that the ogre ends up swearing off children, and invites her, and her father, to become his cooks and they end up living happily ever after.
Yeah, I’m not quite sure what to read into this book, except for the fact that Zeralda showed the ogre kindness, and in doing so was rewarded. Mind you it is a tricky situation because the ogre did have a reputation, one that Zeralda was ignorant of, and if it wasn’t for the fact that the ogre tripped and fell, this whole sequence would not have occurred. Yet it did, and due to Zeralda’s kindness, she was rewarded.
The other thing is that it seems as if my Aunty and Uncle would give me fantasy books, though sometimes I actually wonder if they would read them beforehand. Many people don’t, and knowing them I suspect they didn’t. It isn’t as if this is a bad book, but honestly, I would prefer to give a book as a present that I knew as opposed to one that I didn’t. Then again, it is a kid’s book, though I can’t necessarily say that it is one of the best. However, there are elements of the Parable of the Good Samaritan present.
21 Apr 22 – Mooloolaba
This is a book that was given to me as a present by my favourite Aunty and Uncle back when I was 7, and then claimed by my brother, who has basically claimed all of our books from when we were young. Also, as is typical of him, he pretty much refuses to let go of them, despite the fact that he never reads them, which I have to admit is a good thing because it means that these books that I have basically forgotten about are still in existence.
Anyway, this is a story about an ogre that eats children. However, because it has become pretty apparent that this ogre eats children, and raids the local village on a regular basis, everybody has learnt to hide their children which results in the ogre simply eating gruel. However, one-day Zeralda is wandering past to sell her father’s goods in town, and the ogre sees her and attempts to ambush her, but trips, falls, and injures himself. However, unlike your typical Dungeons and Dragons character, who would use this as an opportunity to kill the ogre and thus get experience points, Zeralda nurses the ogre back to health, and makes him a sumptuous meal. The meal turns out to be so delicious that the ogre ends up swearing off children, and invites her, and her father, to become his cooks and they end up living happily ever after.
Yeah, I’m not quite sure what to read into this book, except for the fact that Zeralda showed the ogre kindness, and in doing so was rewarded. Mind you it is a tricky situation because the ogre did have a reputation, one that Zeralda was ignorant of, and if it wasn’t for the fact that the ogre tripped and fell, this whole sequence would not have occurred. Yet it did, and due to Zeralda’s kindness, she was rewarded.
The other thing is that it seems as if my Aunty and Uncle would give me fantasy books, though sometimes I actually wonder if they would read them beforehand. Many people don’t, and knowing them I suspect they didn’t. It isn’t as if this is a bad book, but honestly, I would prefer to give a book as a present that I knew as opposed to one that I didn’t. Then again, it is a kid’s book, though I can’t necessarily say that it is one of the best. However, there are elements of the Parable of the Good Samaritan present.
April 23, 2013
“Zeralda’s Ogre,” by Tomi Ungerer is a fiction book about a mean old ogre who has been terrorizing a small village….by eating the little children in the town. One day, by chance, he comes across Zeralda, has an accident, and she takes care of him. She is around 6 years old at the time (prime age he ates children), but because she is so nice he doesn’t eat her, and he pays her and her father to cook for him. This was a good story, right up to the point that the character are said to get married. I would not recommend this book to young students of any age, because I think it sends the message that it is okay for criminals to not pay their debt to society. I have liked Ungerer’s work, but I can’t recommend this book.
November 9, 2025
"Like most ogres, he had sharp teeth, a bristling beard, a big nose, a big knife, a bad temper, and a huge appetite. Of all things, he liked little children for breakfast."
Tomi Ungerer came into my life randomly and I’ve never looked back. Sometimes patron requests surprise you and you have to join in on the weirdness. That’s why I’m here and it’s magnificent.
This one grabbed my attention from the art alone. It’s bright, colorful, and a little bit scary. Who wouldn’t be scared of a big hairy ogre who likes to eat small kids?
The story was okay. Not as appealing as his other works but still entertaining. I like how all the towns people just hid their kids instead of taking down this killer. Wild!
Tomi is a treasure and you should check out his art. You won’t regret it.
Tomi Ungerer came into my life randomly and I’ve never looked back. Sometimes patron requests surprise you and you have to join in on the weirdness. That’s why I’m here and it’s magnificent.
This one grabbed my attention from the art alone. It’s bright, colorful, and a little bit scary. Who wouldn’t be scared of a big hairy ogre who likes to eat small kids?
The story was okay. Not as appealing as his other works but still entertaining. I like how all the towns people just hid their kids instead of taking down this killer. Wild!
Tomi is a treasure and you should check out his art. You won’t regret it.
February 7, 2023
It is a very nice, funny story. Thank you so much! Me and my mom both liked it a lot, thank you again. Best Regards.
March 9, 2026
This was such a strange book, but it had a surprising amount of charm. A horrible ogre is eating all the children, and it has gotten so bad that families have to hide their little ones day and night to prevent them from becoming breakfast. One little girl, Zeralda, lives far away from town and has no idea that there's a hungry ogre prowling about. The book was entertaining, I loved the illustrations, and the end took me completely by surprise. A good book all around.
November 21, 2025
La fin est glauque. Il épouse une fille qu'il a rencontré quand elle avait 6 ans
February 12, 2026
Bizarre la fin frérot
January 15, 2025
On l’a lu dans le cadre d’un travail de réseau sur la figure de l’ogre. Bon concrètement c’est un ogre classique qui mange des gosses. Mais il accepte de plus manger de gosse si la petite fille qu’il vient de rencontrer accepte de cuisiner toute sa vie pour lui.
MAIS IL S’AGIRAIT D’ARRÊTER DE MARIER UN MONSIEUR AVEC UNE ENFANT / ADO !!!!! STOP ÇA ME DÉGOÛTE
MAIS IL S’AGIRAIT D’ARRÊTER DE MARIER UN MONSIEUR AVEC UNE ENFANT / ADO !!!!! STOP ÇA ME DÉGOÛTE
January 18, 2026
j'ai faim du coup maintenant
February 11, 2017
'Once upon a time there lived a lonely ogre. Like most ogres, he had sharp teeth, a bristling beard, a big nose, a big knife, a bad temper, and a huge appetite. Of all things, he liked little children for breakfast the best.'
With, perhaps, one of the best final pictures in children's books (look for the knife and fork as Ungerer shares a rather wicked joke with his observant reader) this is another book in which redemption for the evil male character is achieved through the love and care of a female child (Three Robbers being the other). I'm curious as to whether this a continuing theme in others of his work.
Again it is Ungerer's simply captivating illustrations that say so much to the reader. I love the Ogre's breeches and the children hiding and digging themselves to safety as the monster scours the land for his supper. You can see here with the narrative, Ungerer beginning to play with pace and control as he switches from single sentence lines to prose-like paragraphs. The picture of Zeralda cooking a roast pig on a spit whilst the semi-conscious ogre is revealed only by his legs is one of my favourite pictures in the book.
With, perhaps, one of the best final pictures in children's books (look for the knife and fork as Ungerer shares a rather wicked joke with his observant reader) this is another book in which redemption for the evil male character is achieved through the love and care of a female child (Three Robbers being the other). I'm curious as to whether this a continuing theme in others of his work.
Again it is Ungerer's simply captivating illustrations that say so much to the reader. I love the Ogre's breeches and the children hiding and digging themselves to safety as the monster scours the land for his supper. You can see here with the narrative, Ungerer beginning to play with pace and control as he switches from single sentence lines to prose-like paragraphs. The picture of Zeralda cooking a roast pig on a spit whilst the semi-conscious ogre is revealed only by his legs is one of my favourite pictures in the book.
September 22, 2014
I just don't know about this ending. Felt a little... creepy?
August 24, 2019
It started out ok but was I kind of weirded out by the ending. A little girl ends up cooking for an ogre...ok....and then they are suddenly married? Huh?
July 1, 2018
A sweet woman from church brought me some of her favorite picturebooks to read. This is one that is her ultimate favorite. It is a classically done Ungerer selection. While I’ve not read his work I am very familiar with his art and place in kid lit. I love the bright colors and fun details in the art.
The overly gendered roles, somewhat sexualized depictions of female bodies, and ultimate classic fairy tale style ending (which is a bit gross, really) are a little meh, though I recognize them to be of their time.
The overly gendered roles, somewhat sexualized depictions of female bodies, and ultimate classic fairy tale style ending (which is a bit gross, really) are a little meh, though I recognize them to be of their time.
May 2, 2023
En lisant Le géant de Zeralda de Tomi Ungerer, je me suis rendue compte qu’il m’avait été lu maintes fois petite ! L’album a donc bien plus de 30 ans, c’est important de le remettre dans son contexte. Sinon on risque de pédaler dans la choucroute. Oui, il y a des notions désuètes. Même glauque quand on y pense. Mais éduquer ses enfants c’est aussi regarder vers le passé et se dire « eh, on va faire mieux ! » en lisant et analysant un conte de 1988.
Chronique complète ici : https://sorbetkiwi.fr/index.php/le-ge...
Chronique complète ici : https://sorbetkiwi.fr/index.php/le-ge...
November 28, 2025
Another one of those redemptive stories by Ungerer but this one is gold. This one is far the best I read from him. I like how he didn't rushed the ending and invest with the main characters relationship to win the hearts of the readers. The opening page was darker than usual and the ending will make you scratch your head. I'm with the friendship between Zeralda and the orge, but to go that far is not my cup of tea. Nevertheless i enjoyed this story.
Read the book here: Zeralda's Ogre
Read the book here: Zeralda's Ogre
September 29, 2021
A type of folktale about an ogre that likes to eat children but loses his appetite for them when the 6 year old Zeralda mesmerizes him with her culinary creations. Nice plot, and satisfying resolution of his taste for children, but the ending, as many other Underer's ending is suspicious. The girl grows up in the ogre house and gets married. Same issue I had with Adelaide, the female kangaroo that is taken in by an much older guy in when she goes into the bid scary city. Ugh.
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March 4, 2026obligée de le compter pour le challenge tellement l'histoire c'est une dinguerie, Ungerer pro-grooming qui l'eût cru ? en plus la gosse elle tue de ses mains nues un porc, alors qu'elle a 6 ans c'est insane
January 10, 2018
A nice tale about an evil Ogre and a girl that has a sort of surprising wrinkle.
September 16, 2023
Livre super qui démystifie un peu le mythe des ogres !
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2024
4 stars until the suddenly creepy ending.
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December 30, 2024A la fin, l'ogre se marie avec la petite fille ... bien sur il attend qu'elle soit majeure... mais ils se marient quand meme...
May 21, 2025
adrien dit que c'est un livre très touchant. la fillette qui fait à manger pour l'ogre alors qu'elle pourrait se faire manger. elle est très très courageuse
March 24, 2026
mais c'est quoi ce livre de pédophile au juste là ??
June 25, 2021
Right up there with Struwwelpeter! My children loved this book, and so do my grandchildren. I think they especially enjoy the fact that the fearsome ogre is tamed and reformed by the young girl who offers him more delicious alternatives to his previous menu of choice. Kds love books in which young children act independently - and save themselves!
Is it likely that in the real world I would approve of a young girl being given the responsibility, not only for preparing meals for herself and her father, but also setting out for Market Day when her father is sick? Of course not! That's why we enjoy fiction!
Is it likely that in the real world I would approve of a young girl being given the responsibility, not only for preparing meals for herself and her father, but also setting out for Market Day when her father is sick? Of course not! That's why we enjoy fiction!
March 8, 2016
An ogre is terrorizing a little town by eating all the children. Just outside the town a man lives with his daughter who is a wonderful cook. He falls ill on market day so Zeralda has to go by herself. On the way the ogre tries to waylay her, but instead knocks himself out cold. For reasons unexplained, Zeralda takes him home and cooks for him. He invites all the other ogres over for her fantastic food and they give up eating children and eat her food instead. In the end, Zeralda marries the ogre. Kinda weird.
Illustrations are cartoony but okay.
Illustrations are cartoony but okay.
September 22, 2014
If the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, then watch what a love of cooking and a sprinkling of kindness can do to an ogre who has terrorized a town’s children for years. Zeralda loves to cook, but when her father falls ill he must send her to market on her own. When a hungry ogre injuries himself while stalking Zeralda, she cares for him the way she knows best: cooking a feast. An her culinary wizardry changes everything.
August 4, 2021
This was one of my favorite books as a kid because I loved all the food and I thought it was so fun. But I read it to my kids the other night and was so weirded out that Zeralda and the ogre get married at the end!! She's a child when she starts cooking for him. I figure I can just skip the last page when I read it to the kids because it's really unnecessary, but ew.
January 31, 2017
This is one straaange book! I'm all for kids reading fairy tales (and people getting eaten are par for the course in fairy tales), but it felt worse here, for some reason. And while I agree that a good, nutritious meal will often cure people (and ogres, apparently!) of odd food cravings, the ending of this books was just too weird for my taste. Not planning to use this one with the kiddos.
April 10, 2009
I first read this book in French, and it still tickles me that the ending of the book is so very weird. It's fun.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews