Never Trust an Ogre

The ogre is back . . . and he's still hungry. In this sequel to The Ogre and the Frog King , the ogre, who had become a vegetarian in his last venture, has returned to his carnivorous ways. In fact, he has eaten his father, mother and sister, and eyes the creatures of the forest for his next meal. But running after the birds, rabbits and frogs takes its toll; the ogre reflects, ``I'm too fat for all this exercise. I will make those animals come to me.'' He practices looking friendly and waving benignly to the little creatures, and the rabbit is sent to test the waters. He returns with a dinner invitation, which all but the rat accept. This second offering about a behemoth in search of dinner is basically a continuation of the same riotous theme found in the first book. The idea of a host of little animals besting the evil oaf should bring peals of laughter from readers; adults, too, will enjoy this comically ominous tale. Ages 3-up. (September)