Customer Reviews

Bashful Bob and Doleful Dorinda

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Bob's been abandoned by his mother and raised by a bunch of dogs, so is bashful around humans, while Dorinda's own tough childhood with distant relatives has made its mark on her personality. Their similar experiences leads them to be close friends, and when a buffalo bounds over a barrier at a botanical garden, they join to salvage the situation and emerge victorious - discovering, in the process, they can be brave and winners as well. Add the funny wordplay and you have an exceptional story.

I agree with another reviewer that this subject is dark. But if you're blessed with a healthy family, this is a very intelligent, clever, enriching book for people (of all ages) who love wordplay and language. It's not for everyone, only those who love dark humor and scintillating language. The illustrations are also witty and original. My 11 and 14-year olds both ask me to read it aloud to them repeatedly.

Disclosure #1: Our son is named Bob. Disclosure #2: We're Canadian, and I know personally, whenever I read this story to my three year old, I hear Margaret Atwood's voice behind my own.

The alliteration in this book is truly delightful. My son's vocabulary has indeed benefited. The story moves quickly, which endearing characters and a happy ending. And the humor! Just our type. May not be yours, but it is indeed ours.

Two thumbs, or five stars up.

As a parent of a child who was abandoned at birth, I am absolutely stunned that this book is considered a wonderful selection for children - We received this book as a gift and when I started to read the book to my 5 year old, I was just stopped in my tracks on the first page - to so glibly describe a baby being abandoned by his mother because she lost her senses was unbelievable - and then, at the end the mother realizes what she did and comes back to claim her child may give a young child hope that maybe, just maybe, his or her birthmother may come back to get him or her is just too much - There are also many children who have lost their parents to disasters so the tale of Doleful Dorinda and the miraculous appearance of her parents is also not fair to them as well. THese children will never get their parents back. I am truly amazed that this book was allowed to be published - there could have been many more story lines created that used the "b" and "d" sounds.

I would definately not recommend this book