Maybelle the Cockroach and Henry the Flea are still alive and bugging the very perfect Peabodys. The rule of their house might be "ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY NO BUGS," but rules are made to be broken. Whether it's a hidden cache of raspberry jam or a pile of sandwiches for the Ladies' Spring Tea, Maybelle's life is full of surprises. One is the arrival of Maurice, one Noticeable and Unwelcome fly who puts all the insects in danger of an Extermination Event but who also adds some excitement to the household. While Maybelle tries to follow The Rules that keep a cockroach safe, Maurice's watchword is "Go for it!" When Maybelle decides to do so, she goes through one terrifying and hilarious adventure after another. Ratz de Taygos's detailed, kinetic illustrations dot most pages, making the text accessible to new readers. Maybelle's oversized hair bow and Maurice's over-the-top antics, along with varied perspectives, keep readers at the heart of the adventure. Short sentences, laugh-out-loud situations and likable characters make this second series entry a winner. (Fiction. 6-9)

Gr 2-4 Living at the Peabody home, sprightly Maybelle, a cockroach, abides by three rules: "When it's light, stay out of sight; if you're spied, better hide; and never meet with human feet." However, these rules go right out the window once she becomes aware of the Chocolate Surprise Cookies to be served at Mrs. Peabody's tea party. Easy-reader graduates will delight in Maybelle's antics and enjoy her housefly pal, Maurice, and his giggle-worthy shenanigans. Maybelle finds herself smack dab in the middle of a big adventure when she tumbles into a tasty treat. With humorous illustrations on nearly every spread, this is a sweet offering. Andrea Tarr, Corona Public Library, CA

Fresh from her first enterprise, Maybelle in the Soup (2007), Maybelle the cockroach is back for another adventure with her friend Henry the flea. This time around, Maybelle is dying to go to the Ladies Spring Tea being given by Mrs. Peabody. How can she get one of those great Chocolate Surprise Cookies without being caught by Ramona the Cat? Or being spotted by Mr. Peabody, who would certainly call the exterminator? Add the annoying new denizen of the Peabody household and the pesky fly Maurice, and Maybelle's work is really cut out for her. After a series of hilarious mishaps, Maybelle gets her cookie and makes a new friend out of Maurice in the bargain. Dryly funny black-and-white sketches throughout the book will make this a sure-fire hit for the post "I Can Read" crowd.

There's no one as fussy as the Peabody family--despite the fact that Maybelle, a cockroach, and Henry, a flea, live in the house that they keep "JUST SO." Joined by new friend Maurice, a fly, the bugs upset Mrs. Peabody's very snooty tea party. This sequel to Maybelle in the Soup offers a full course of nondemanding humor for young readers.