From School Library Journal
Starred Review. Kindergarten-Grade 2–Dolores snoops in her older sister's room and finds a valentine box with a singing-frog necklace inside. She knows she shouldn't touch Faye's belongings, but temptation and curiosity get the better of her. After various escapades involving the necklace and her cat, Duncan, the story ends happily, proving that sisterly love conquers all. Samuels's humorous cartoon illustrations are more attractive than those in
Faye and Dolores (S & S, 1985). Dolores's features are more charming and inviting, and the feline, complete with droll expressions that enhance the mood of the plot, has become a member of the family. Readers will ask for repeated readings in order to further examine the details on the pages. Add this one to your holiday repertoire.
–Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
*Starred Review* K-Gr. 2. Ah, Dolores, a picture-book cousin to Junie B. Jones. Trouble nips at her heels, and she always finds the most outrageous ways to get out of it. Here, the problem begins with a frog necklace Dolores finds in her sister's drawer. With Valentine's Day near, Dolores wonders if Faye plans to give the necklace to a friend. Perhaps it was a gift from a
boy. Drawn to it like a pin to a magnet, Dolores puts it on, and when a stuck clasp prevents her from taking it off, she comes up with all sorts of schemes to stave off Faye's suspicions. At this point, even younger children may have guessed that the necklace is Faye's gift to Dolores, so how does Samuels stretch out the inevitable? Riotously, as it turns out. Dolores wears the necklace to school, causing her to make up a secret admirer. Then she loses it, necessitating a trip to the store, where she spends all her money on a duplicate. The story line is straightforward; the giggles and guffaws are in the bright ink-and-watercolor pictures, many of which show Dolores'bemused cat, who viewers will note is responsible for the necklace's disappearance. With so much to laugh at, children will enjoy repeat reads--and so will the grown-ups.
Ilene CooperCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
