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There's an Ogre-Beast in the Playground: A Bullying Chapter Book Adventure for Kids
I hated school. I hated everything about it. Mostly I hated Corban Barkley because he convinced my entire class I looked like an overgrown circus monkey—or something like that. Life was pretty miserable for me at Red Apple Creek Public School—that is until the Ogre-Beast came to visit—then my life totally changed.
104 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 23, 2019
1 person is currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Francis
41 books133 followersBorn in Brisbane, Australia, Christopher was accepted at age 19 into Sheridan College’s Animation program before earning a degree in Sociology from McMaster University.
He then enjoyed a two-year adventure overseas working with children, before completing his Bachelor of Education degree at York University. He is now teaching junior and intermediate level students in Burlington, Ontario.
Through Christopher’s experience working with children, he found writing and illustrating to be one of his passions. Currently working on a middle grade series, he recently completed and illustrated the first three books. He has also created seven other children’s picture books and illustrated children’s novels for independent authors.
He then enjoyed a two-year adventure overseas working with children, before completing his Bachelor of Education degree at York University. He is now teaching junior and intermediate level students in Burlington, Ontario.
Through Christopher’s experience working with children, he found writing and illustrating to be one of his passions. Currently working on a middle grade series, he recently completed and illustrated the first three books. He has also created seven other children’s picture books and illustrated children’s novels for independent authors.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 7, 2022
Henry isn't like the other students at his school. Despite his attempts to make friends, one other kid manages to turn everyone in the school against him. But, things change when the school is visited (attacked?) by an ogre-beast.
This was a fun book to listen to. We know that while kids can be accepting, kids can also be discriminatory - especially when the thing that makes someone different makes them really different. For Henry, a 4th grader, he isn't just tall for a 4th grader. At 6'6" he's tall for an adult, which makes him really tall for a 4th grader. That height also makes him a target for the school bully.
Unlike many kids, Henry understands that people often fear what they don't understand, and people often make up stories about things they don't understand. So, when an ogre-beast that has been seen in the area shows up at the school, frightening everyone - teachers and students alike - Henry tries to help. He helps by going outside to talk to the ogre-beast.
As with other books by Francis, there is a message for children in this story. Also similar to other books by Francis, the message is not presented in a condescending way. While the message in this book is a bit more obvious. that is also because the intended audience is a bit younger than the other books I have read/listened to by Francis.
This audiobook was narrated by Coleman Christian, who also narrated The Altruism Trials (another book by Christopher Francis that I recommend). The only issue that I noticed with the audiobook was a production issue, rather than a narrator issue. In Chapter 4, from 7:28 - 11:53, there is dead air. I'm not sure if that was supposed to be words that somehow went missing, or if it was just dead air that wasn't removed during the editing process.
Aside from that one little issue. this is a good book for any child who is struggling to fit it to read/listen to. It is also good for any kid who knows someone who is a little different to listen to, to help them understand what it's like to be different.
This was a fun book to listen to. We know that while kids can be accepting, kids can also be discriminatory - especially when the thing that makes someone different makes them really different. For Henry, a 4th grader, he isn't just tall for a 4th grader. At 6'6" he's tall for an adult, which makes him really tall for a 4th grader. That height also makes him a target for the school bully.
Unlike many kids, Henry understands that people often fear what they don't understand, and people often make up stories about things they don't understand. So, when an ogre-beast that has been seen in the area shows up at the school, frightening everyone - teachers and students alike - Henry tries to help. He helps by going outside to talk to the ogre-beast.
As with other books by Francis, there is a message for children in this story. Also similar to other books by Francis, the message is not presented in a condescending way. While the message in this book is a bit more obvious. that is also because the intended audience is a bit younger than the other books I have read/listened to by Francis.
This audiobook was narrated by Coleman Christian, who also narrated The Altruism Trials (another book by Christopher Francis that I recommend). The only issue that I noticed with the audiobook was a production issue, rather than a narrator issue. In Chapter 4, from 7:28 - 11:53, there is dead air. I'm not sure if that was supposed to be words that somehow went missing, or if it was just dead air that wasn't removed during the editing process.
Aside from that one little issue. this is a good book for any child who is struggling to fit it to read/listen to. It is also good for any kid who knows someone who is a little different to listen to, to help them understand what it's like to be different.
August 17, 2023
Review of eBook
Fourth grader Henry Horkeminder hates everything about school, especially seventh grader Duncan Myers who delights in making Henry’s life as miserable as possible. Unusually tall for his age, six-foot six-inch Henry isn’t like anyone else . . . and all he wants is to fit in with the other students.
One day Henry cuts his big, puffy hair, hoping his new look will help him make friends. But everyone is in the auditorium, listening to the mayor and the police warn the students about an ogre-beast. And, sadly, Henry discovers that his new haircut wasn't the secret to making friends after all.
And then an ogre-beast lumbers onto the school playground.
=========
This enchanting children’s chapter book addresses some serious issues facing children: having a poor opinion of yourself, being accepted by others, fitting in, bullying, being different. Young readers will easily relate to Henry and his problems.
Henry's solution --- going outside to talk to the ogre-beast --- helps the young reader discover that being different isn’t a bad thing and encourages them to look at their own differences in a new way. Young readers [and adults] are sure to find much to appreciate in this book that champions both courage and kindness.
Young readers will enjoy seeing the way Henry learns to accept himself as the story unfolds. When Duncan continues his bullying ways after Henry has spoken with the ogre-beast, the action of the other students is heartwarming.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book from StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Fourth grader Henry Horkeminder hates everything about school, especially seventh grader Duncan Myers who delights in making Henry’s life as miserable as possible. Unusually tall for his age, six-foot six-inch Henry isn’t like anyone else . . . and all he wants is to fit in with the other students.
One day Henry cuts his big, puffy hair, hoping his new look will help him make friends. But everyone is in the auditorium, listening to the mayor and the police warn the students about an ogre-beast. And, sadly, Henry discovers that his new haircut wasn't the secret to making friends after all.
And then an ogre-beast lumbers onto the school playground.
=========
This enchanting children’s chapter book addresses some serious issues facing children: having a poor opinion of yourself, being accepted by others, fitting in, bullying, being different. Young readers will easily relate to Henry and his problems.
Henry's solution --- going outside to talk to the ogre-beast --- helps the young reader discover that being different isn’t a bad thing and encourages them to look at their own differences in a new way. Young readers [and adults] are sure to find much to appreciate in this book that champions both courage and kindness.
Young readers will enjoy seeing the way Henry learns to accept himself as the story unfolds. When Duncan continues his bullying ways after Henry has spoken with the ogre-beast, the action of the other students is heartwarming.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book from StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
July 5, 2022
There's an Ogre-Beast in the Playground! This is a children's chapter book by Christofer Francis. This is one of those books that will run close to your heart as well as that of your children. It is a story of a children who moves to a new school. It is so hard to be the new kid, but this particular child was extremely tall. Now as it seems to be in every class is that there is a class bully. The bully has not only turned his class against him but also the entire school. But it seems to be that things change when the school is visited by an ogre-beast. This is a story for both children and adults. We follow a young boy who is able overcome both bullying and self-esteem. How that happens is what this story is all about. Francis is able to weave an enchanting novel that leads both adult and child down an enticing path in which readers will learn the gift of compassion. He teaches in such a way that neither realizes they lesson they learn. But they will carry this message forward with them as they enter the world around them. I received this novel from Story Origin. I was under no obligation to provide this review, but I choose to as this was such an excellent work for grade school children.
June 15, 2022
There’s an Ogre-Beast in the Playground by Christopher Francis
I loved this upper elementary grade book. Being different is tough. It is even tougher when someone is there to always point out those differences and make fun of you. Henry is that boy. He is a six foot tall fourth grader with red hair. Everyone, including the teachers bully him in some way. He doesn’t like being different. It isn’t until an ogre-monster comes to the school that Henry realizes that sometimes being different is okay.
I loved this upper elementary grade book. Being different is tough. It is even tougher when someone is there to always point out those differences and make fun of you. Henry is that boy. He is a six foot tall fourth grader with red hair. Everyone, including the teachers bully him in some way. He doesn’t like being different. It isn’t until an ogre-monster comes to the school that Henry realizes that sometimes being different is okay.
July 13, 2022
A superbly written children's book on courage, bravery and new friendships. The book follows Henry as he struggles through primary school. He is a victim of bullying and has no friends. However, things start changing when the Ogre-beast reaches school. The book is quite interesting and my picky 11 year old loved it! I received a free copy of the book and this is my voluntary and honest review.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews