Maybelle and the Haunted Cupcake

A fun, approachable chapter book that’s perfect for newly independent readers. Simple sentences and short chapters ease children into the format. Silly characters—including Bernice, the ant with a head cold, and Myrtle and Herbert Peabody, the uptight homeowners—will amuse kids. The narrative is full of charming details, such as “The Rules” followed by the bugs of the house: “When it’s light, stay out of sight; if you’re spied, better hide; never meet with human feet.” Much of the story’s humor derives from Bernice’s worker-ant drive to serve, without regarding her own safety. “Put your legs up and relax, honey,” she tells Maybelle, completely unfazed after one encounter with the bug-phobic Peabodys. “I saw a little glob of icing that would be real nice with that sprinkle.” Small, droll illustrations appear on nearly every page, breaking up the text and enhancing the story’s humor.