Yet another in my batch of offbeat kids books, this book is perfect for fans of Edward Gorey. The story is Belloc's take on The Little Boy Who Cried Wolf and follows Matilda as she lies about numerous things (including a house fire) for the sheer fun of it. However, when her aunt is out of town, the house really does catch on fire, and of course, no one believes her. The last lines of the story say it all:

"The next day when her Aunt returned, Matilda and the house were burned." ( )

Years ago I went into the Bangor Public Library (in Maine) to look at this book as a possible gift for my niece. An older woman in the children's section got huffy and told me that this library would never have such a book in their collection. A younger woman standing behind her waved her arms for me to follow her. There was the book. Perfect gift. Was like the story read to me when I was a kid about the boy who found gold when he moved a rock in the road and found a pot of gold -- I've been clearing roads and sidewalks ever since. ( )

When I was a child my Auntie Mae, who I adored was such a character. I hung on to her every word,she had a very distinct voice and would reciete the Matilda poem by heart.....Let me tell you to this day when she got to the part where Matilda flew open the window and yelled 'FIRE' and the people said she was just a LIAR, and therefore when her aunt returned, Matilda and the house was burned!!!! I never got over it, I still get the chills. I loved it as a child and still love it. This poem comes from a very old victorian book. In the book there are many little silly stories and poems for children. I will look it up and get back to you.