Maggie McGillicuddy's Eye for Trouble

by Susan Hughes, Brooke Kerrigan (Illustrator)

Unlike her neighbors, Maggie McGillicuddy has an eye for trouble. And while she's knitting on her porch swing, she manages to spot it --- everywhere! With the “tickety, tickety, tack!” of her knitting needles, the elderly Maggie scares off a prowling tiger! And with the “whickety, whickety, whack!” of her walking stick, there goes a slithering snake! Of course, readers can see the tiger is really just a cat and the snake is only a tree root, so they'll be as delighted as Maggie when Charlie, the boy who just moved next door, seems to have an eye for trouble of his own! With wit and great charm, author Susan Hughes has created a playful story about friendship and the joys of an active imagination. She uses direct questions ---“You see it there, don't you?”--- as hints to help children recognize what's imagined and what's actually there, expanding visual literacy. Brooke Kerrigan uses soft colors and quirky details to beautifully illustrate a child's cozy yet expansive world. Maggie McGillicuddy's Eye for Trouble will make a fun and involving read-aloud, as well as a starting point for talking about imagination. And when real trouble, in the form of a car coming down the road as Charlie is about to run into it, is spotted and averted, adults will find it a useful opportunity to discuss the difference between real and pretend danger with young readers.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published October 4, 2016

About the author

Susan Hughes is an award-winning writer of over 30 children's books. She is also a freelance editor and story coach. For more information about Susan's writing process and editing services, or to contact her, refer to her website, which is www.susanhughes.ca.

Reviews

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Old Maggie McGillicuddy has an eye for trouble, and that's why she is always on alert for whatever might happen in the neighborhood. Is that cat actually a fierce tiger? And isn't really that tree's root a dangerous snake? But one Saturday Charlie, her new neighbor, is certainly running straight for trouble! Chasing his ball, Charlie didn't realize a car is coming up the street. Thankfully Maggie McGillicuddy has always an eye for trouble! She shouts to Charlie making him stop. From that moment Charlie and Mrs. Gullicuddy start spending time together, always having an eye for trouble: an elephant stampede,a hungry crocodile, a UFO. After all, one never knows how much trouble might happen in this very street.

How not to like Mrs. McGillicuddy? She is very nosy, it's true, but she is also friendly and incredibly imaginative, and Charlie enjoys her company. I think it is a great idea to bring the kids attention to the fact that elderly people can be cool too.
Entertaining story that vividly dialogs with the reader. I find the illustrations absolutely catch the essence of the story. I kept wanting to know more Mrs. M and Charlie adventures.

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Find more children's book reviews in Reviews in Chalk

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute book about a relationship between a young boy and his elderly neighbour. Charlie has a wonderful imagination and he sees things like snakes (tree roots), eagles swooping down (birds) and tigers slinking down the street (cat's shadow) that either he or Maggie McGillicudy scare off with noises. When Charlie is really in trouble, Maggie shouts to stop him and saves him from being hurt. A book that encourages imagination and inter-generational friendships. The illustrations are great. They are colourful and full of detail, certain to attract the eye of young children. This is a great story to read with my grandson and encourage him to talk about the pictures and what he sees. A great addition to the family library.

I received a copy of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest reveiw.

[Novelesque Life · Rating 4 out of 5]

MAGGIE MCGILLCUDDY'S EYE FOR TROUBLE
Written by Susan Hughes
Illustrated by Brooke Kerrigan
October 2016; 32 Pages
Kids Can Press
Genre: picture book, children's

(I received an ARC from the NETGALLEY in exchange for an honest review.)

★★★★

Maggie McGillcuddy is unlike anyone in the neighbourhood. She has an eye for trouble that no one else can see. Then Charlie moves in next door and has an imagination as big as Maggie. Maggie and Charlie are able to keep the bad things away that are in their imagination, but it is Maggie to the rescue when there is real trouble for Charlie.

I loved the relationship between Charlie and Maggie - reminds me of me and my Bibi. I think sometimes the elderly and children have a special bond because they have the ability to see beyond the usual. I highly recommend this book!

[Chuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book on goodread.com and boy am I ever glad I did!!
This is a really cute story.
But more importantly this book brought me back to my childhood. I too had a Maggie McGillicuddy but her name was Mrs. Young. I would go over to her house next door and visit and while there I would knock heads off robbers and chase ghosts away. Having fun and all I knew was Mrs. Young saw things I did not see But it did not matter I loved going over there because being there made her happy and she would laugh as I chased away all the scary things.
I am now an old person and it makes me think. What if we all took time to visit a lonely older person at any age to make them happy and laugh.
Thank you Susan Hughes and Brooke Kerrigan for allowing me to be young again as I read your book!!!!

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

As she sits on her porch knitting, Maggie McGillicuddy has no trouble spotting--and stopping--the trouble in her neighborhood. Although some of the others can't see it (no imagination!), her new young neighbor Charlie can--but when a very real kind of trouble comes along, Charlie runs straight toward it, and only Maggie McGillicuddy can keep him safe.

What a fun book! Maggie McGillicuddy (which is a totally fun name to say!) and Charlie have great imaginations, and children will have fun spotting the "trouble" that they imagine throughout the book. The illustrations are bright, colorful, and lots of fun.

I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Psusan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie McGillicuddy's Eye for Trouble by Susan Hughes is a whimsical look at the lovely relationship that can develop between the young and old. Perhaps the rest of us are just too busy to let our imaginations run wild, but it is good to be reminded to do so every now and again.
It is the illustrations that give so much clarity to the images, helping the reader to see the imagination using the reality. I do not think for a minute that children would mistake what Maggie McGillcuddy and Charlie see as anything but pretend and fun pretending it is.

Young and old would enjoy this book.

The publisher through Net Galley provided a copy.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this to my 5 year old and she loved it too. There's a great rhythm and flow that makes this easy to read aloud.

The story centres around the title character and her new neighbour, a young boy called Charlie. She is a little eccentric and young at heart with an even bigger imagination than her new friend. Together they see imaginary dangers and take them on. It's a simple and heartwarming tale, suitable for any primary school child. My daughter gave 5 stars as well. The only downside is that we both now want a Maggie McGillicuddy in our lives.

[Liza Tabita · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the idea of the book, the illustrations are nice and the friendship between the two characters is inspiring. The thing i am not sure about is if children will understand the real meaning of the book. Primary school students can easily misunderstand the book and take things too seriously. It really depends on the child and if he has a great imagination!

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maggie McGillicuddy's Eye for Trouble is a fun, imaginitive story about Maggie, who is an older lady that sits on her porch with her knitting. Her imagination runs wild. When the new neighbors move in, she finds that she isn't the only one with an extremely vivid imagination. Fun story and beautiful illustrations.

Reviewed through NetGalley for an honest, independant review.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here comes trouble in this quiet neighborhood. It consists of tigers, alligators, elephants, and more. You just have to know where to look. And if you use your imagination, you too can find trouble. An endearing story of a boy and his knitting happy next door neighbor. A story that should be shared for years to come.

[Barbra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can you spot trouble? You can if you have Maggie’s imagination. Simple things turn into big disasters that only Maggie can see until she saves Charlie from real harm. From then on they share their stories every morning. This wonderful tale of friendship and fantasy can be shared and enjoyed by dreamers ages three to seven.

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick Summary: Funny, imaginative, and delightful! This is a book with a magical lesson for the young and the old alike.
Rating: 3.5-4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: Family
Status: G

Source: NetGalley

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beware of those little old ladies next door who look frail & boring as they sit and knit all day...
Wonderful to see an elder as the hero, and the respect of the child for her.
Full color illustrations done in watercolor, pencil crayon, gouache, and collage support and extend the text.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the illustrations, and I liked the thought of the book better than the actual story.

I received an ARC from NetGalley.

[Noelle Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully told, beautifully illustrated story for kids.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having had elderly ladies in the house across the street ever since we moved into this house, this book resonated with me. I really like that a friendship forms between Maggie and Charlie, because kids need to know older people! And finding a kindred spirit with a big imagination is always a bonus.

Possible Objectionable Material:
Some parents could be uncomfortable with Charlie’s mom letting him hang out with Maggie despite not meeting her first.

Who Might Like This Book:
People with big imaginations.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC. This book also reviewed at http://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/20....

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet story about unique friendships.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the inter generational friendship. Kids should like the adventures and sense that kids see more than the dull adults around them.

[Amanda Sanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maggie sits on her porch knitting--tickety tack. She often sees trouble that her neighbor does not. Most of it is her imagination, but there is one time she helps her neighbor when there is real trouble. The blending of the illustrations to show the imaginary trouble mixed with the real world is well done. I worried that this would have a boy who cried wolf theme and the neighbor would not believe her when the trouble was real. That bothered me about the story. Otherwise, it has a rhythmic quality and is a nice neighborly tale about using your imagination in nature. Another story that mixes imagination with nature is "Trek" by Ann Jonas. These stories would go well together for themed reading.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charlie and his elderly neighbor Maggie have an eye for trouble but luckily it's really just an overactive imagination. A friendship develops between the two as they look out into their front yards and see all the critters and trouble that lurks within eye distance. This is a nice book that young readers will enjoy.
*I received an ARC via NetGalley & Kids Can Press in exchange for an honest review.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. It is the kind of fun thing one does as a kid, imagining things that could be there.

But, somehow, it fell flat. I think I just didn't like Maggie McGillicuddy. I think the story could have been more fun, and stood better on its own with just Charlie seeing things that others couldn't see.


Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Denise Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful, well written, well illustrated book for children. It was my hope to give it to my grandsons, Henry and Charlie who's mother happen's to be named Maggie. They will love listening to it over and over. And now I have a great book to buy for my grand nieces and nephews. It makes a wonderful gift with it's wonderful story.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought that this was quite a fun book with a good story. I liked the characters and the way they interacted. It really did make me smile at times as I think we have all know a Maggie McGillicuddy at sometime in our lives - an good enjoyable read

[Johnna Whetstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son loved it! It was definitely an original concept for a children's book. My son loved figuring out the hidden meaning of trouble! Buy a copy and read it to your kiddos, my son is hard to please and he sat still and interacted during this book!

[Faith Tydings · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the idea of using your imagination when looking at the world around you but, why is everything labeled "trouble?" Almost like being able to see beyond what is actually there is a bad thing instead of a great thing because you can see adventures that no one else can.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about Charlie, a young boy and his neighbor. While it is a cute story about imagination, I'm not sure that it will appeal you young children who don't have much of one.

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: accessed digital review copies of this book through Edelweiss and NetGalley.

[ʕᵔᴥᵔʔ · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's ok, I didn't like that Maggie saw trouble in little things. Like snakes from cat tails, eagles from little birds. The story seemed to glorify a penchant for making a mountain out of a molehill.