Horace And Morris But Mostly Dolores (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) [School & Library Binding]

James Howe (Author), Amy Walrod (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2003 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Horace, Morris, and Dolores are inseparable friends...until they are persuaded to join separate boys- and girls-only clubs.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Three young miceAHorace, Morris and DoloresAgo everywhere together; they are "the greatest of friends, the truest of friends, the now-and-forever-I'm-yours sort of friends." Walrod makes a show-stopping debut with acrylic-and-cut-paper collages that show the brave trio raiding a milky bowl of cereal and in a circus ring riding on a cat's back toward a flaming hoop in accompaniment to the text: "They dared to go where no mouse had gone before." But the fun stops when Horace and Morris join the boys-only Mega-Mice club. "What kind of place doesn't allow girls?" Dolores wonders, standing alone outside the boys' stronghold. She goes next door to meet the all-girl Cheese Puffs, pictured in a sugary-pink cottage with a heart-shaped window. They sip tea, strategize on "How to Get a Fella Using Mozzarella," and look askance when Dolores proposes that they build a "Roque-fort." However, Dolores finds a kindred spirit in Chloris, and the two found a third, all-inclusive group with a much-relieved Horace and Morris (and a fifth mouse named Boris). In lighthearted prose, Howe, author of the Bunnicula and Pinky and Rex books, points out that "girl" and "boy" behavior need not be mutually exclusive and pokes fun at the ways gender roles needlessly impose limits and derail friendships. Walrod amplifies Howe's tribute to the ebb and flow of enduring friendship with paintings of the bipedal, childlike mice divided at the crossroads to the two single-sex clubs and united at the entrance to a cave in the closing adventure. Readers can only hope this is just the beginning for Horace, Morris and Dolores. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-While this picture book has a decidedly hip, quirky look, Howe's sensitivity and sensibility are clearly in evidence. It's an entertaining story about how a group of children (who happen to be mice) find a way to have fun together, in spite of peer pressure. Although they enjoy shared adventures, a trio breaks up when Horace and Morris decide "A boy mouse must do what a boy mouse must do" and join a boys-only club. Dolores soon finds a club for girls, but the friends miss playing together. When Dolores becomes bored by the (literally) cheesy projects the girls choose, she rebels. She invites the boys to join her exploring and they eagerly accompany her. Inventive acrylics feature funky collages and unusual perspectives. The diagrams for a mousetrap ("How To Get A Fella Using Mozzarella") are truly hilarious. Cool rodent cave art and entertaining snapshots of the fearless friends round out Walrod's amusing interpretation of the text. Make room on your shelves for Dolores and her pals.
Lisa Dennis, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• School & Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: Turtleback (March 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0613617762
• ISBN-13: 978-0613617765
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 10.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,335,065 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funky and Charming!, April 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Horace And Morris But Mostly Dolores (Horace and Morris and Dolores) (Hardcover)

This book is one of those rare combinations of a sensitive and engaging story complemented by equally compelling illustrations. Walrod's illustrations jump out of book with funky perspectives and a masterful use of color and texture. She interprets this very good story about individuality and freindship in a way that balances an important message with a style that produces so many fun (and funny) things to look at that kids (and parents)will have a hard time putting it down

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm a storyteller, and this is always a big hit!, August 1, 2000

By 

Veronica L Hall - See all my reviews

This review is from: Horace And Morris But Mostly Dolores (Horace and Morris and Dolores) (Hardcover)

Horace, Morris, and Dolores are best friends, but as you probably surmised, of DIFFERENT GENDERS! Readers (and listeners) are so relieved when each character resists "society's pressure to conform to gender stereotypes" and follows his or her heart. In the process, their circle of friends grows even bigger! (I like that it's Dolores who makes the first stand!) Pay attention to amusing details in the illustrations!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Charmed despite myself, August 4, 2006

By 

Emily K. Paster "A mom and lover of children'... (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Horace and Morris but Mostly Dolores (Paperback)

My three year old brought this home from the library and while I first resisted this book, I eventually found myself mildly charmed by it. The story involves three mice, two boys and a girl, who are the best of friends until one day, the boys go off to join the local boys-only club and the girl reluctantly joins the girls-only club. This is where my objection to this book lies: the boys-only club looks like tons of fun, with boys playing pirate and such, while the girls' club shows the girls having tea parties and strategizing about how to "get a fella using mozzerella." Funny, I admit. But, why does the girls' club have to be so lame? The subtext seems to be: boys' games are fun for everyone but girls' games are just boring. But, the message in the end is that both boys and girls love adventure and want to play together. So, I will put aside my objections and continue to read this book, which has some great turns of phrase, to my daughter until it goes back to the library. But, I don't think I will be ordering it anytime soon.