Eating Up Gladys

by Margot Zemach, Kaethe Zemach (Illustrations)

The late Caldecott Medalist Margot Zemach was one of America's most beloved authors and artists. EATING UP GLADYS, her final manuscript, has been lovingly illustrated by her dauther Kaethe.

Gladys loves being the oldest sister, swanning around on her bike, feeding the baby, and ... bossing Hilda and Rose. But when Hilda and Rose's joke plan for revenge ends with Gladys stuck in a big soup pot, the younger girls find out what it means to be the biggest. Are they really ready to be in charge - and find a way to unstick Ms. Stuck-Up?

Caldecott Medalist Margot Zemach wrote this topsy-turvy tale about her children before she died, and now her daughter Kaethe completes the book with cheerful illustrations that capture both the fury and the fun of sibling rivalry.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2005

About the author

Margot Zemach was an American illustrator and author of children's books. Many were adaptations of folk tales from around the world - mostly Yiddish and other Eastern European stories. Zemach won the 1974 Caldecott Medal for her illustrations of the picture book "Duffy and the Devil", which was written by her husband.

Reviews

[Megumi Shavers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is labeled as contemporary realistic fiction and is for children in the age group of P and up. This book did not win an award, but she does have a book that has won an award. This book is about two sisters who are tired of their older sister bossing them around that they come up a joke to “cook” their older sister in a pot. However, when the plan actually works and the older sister is stuck in a pot they realize what it is like to be responsible and take care of the house. The characters of the book seemed believable and the readers could relate to it. The language was easy to understand because it seemed like the younger siblings were telling the story. The sentences weren't to long but short and to the point.The illustrations in this book were actually done by the daughter of the author. The illustrator uses outline styling to illustrate her cheerful and vibrant pictures.
I believe this book would appeal to the young readers because all children can relate to having either a older brother or sister bossing them around. Even if they are the only child or the oldest there is always someone older who is in charge. The young readers could relate this because they can see that they are not the only ones who go through having an older sibling bossing them around.

[Linda · Rating 1 out of 5]

No thanks.
We're so mad We're going to eat you? What the heck? There's also the small matter of the three girls, of course girls, taking care of the house and baby and making spaghetti, in lieu of any boys doing these things.
It also ends abruptly and doesn't really drive home a message or redemption.
Not a fan.

[Valerie Doherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a tale of a "bossy" older sib and a "how to" solve the problem for the younger members of the family. It's an interesting idea for a story.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just fun. No amazing life lessons learned here, just a relatable story about what happens when a big sister is left in charge.

[Ally Copper · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most younger sisters look up to and sometimes envy their older sisters. Older sisters get to do things first and seem to get privileges younger siblings do not. When the older sister is bossy on top of that, younger sisters really feel they are being treated unfairly. That is what happens in "Eating Up Gladys" by Margot Zemach as the younger sisters, Hilda and Rose, have to spend an evening with their older sister Gladys in charge. They decide they do not like Gladys's attitude and that they should eat her for dinner. A little clumsiness on Gladys's part makes her end up stuck in a large cooking pot for the remainder of the evening. This picture book with watercolor and ink illustrations by Kaethe Zemach is not especially clever or endearing. The dialogue is uninteresting, and the characters come across as somewhat obnoxious rather than funny. Young readers (second and third grade) might laugh at the idea of Gladys falling into the cooking pot, but there is no broader lesson or message to be gained from the book. The plot just ends with Gladys stuck in the pot and the younger sisters making dinner and taking care of their baby sister, both of which they do with the greatest of ease. I expected Gladys to gain an appreciation for her younger sisters, and Hilda and Rose to gain an appreciation for the level of responsibility Gladys needs to hold while in charge ... but neither of those things happen. I think this book missed an opportunity to be more meaningful than a simple story about sibling rivalry.

[eRin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gladys is the oldest sister and Hilda and Rose are sick of her. Gladys gets to ride a two-wheeler first and she's the only one allowed to take care of the baby. And worst of all, Gladys is bossy bossy bossy! She's always ordering the younger girls around and they've finally had enough! Hilda and Rose come up with a plan to cook Gladys--but how will they get her in the pot?

Cute story for younger siblings everywhere (although I am the big sister and didn't exactly appreciate the intended cooking of Gladys!). I liked the bright and colorful illustrations. Fun, silly story.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something so over the top about trying to put your overbearing sister in a pot and eat her for dinner that I have to just love this book. This story is very realistic in the sibling interactions, and I can totally see this series of events happening. It is silly and ludicrous while at the same time sentimental and human. A nice book to let your child ponder the possibilities.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that the sisters fight to the point of cannibalism, and then reconcile so quickly. It is exactly how siblings interact (my kids included) when a parent either isn't there, or just doesn't intervene. Cute story.

[Cana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mommy says: Middle and youngest children will love this story of a bossy older child's comeuppance!

[Afsana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eating up Gladys is a very extraordinary book for little sisters that have bossy older sisters!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The younger sisters get sick of older sister Glayds being bossy. They decide to cooks her. All turns out in the end.

[Bowoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was sorta.... weird.

[Kim Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute for talking about sibling and family dynamics.

[Marissa Elera · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was really well executed but extremely strange and weird.