Horace And Morris Join The Chorus (But What About Dolores?) (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) [Library Binding]

James Howe (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2005 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Delores is upset when her friends are chosen to sing in the chorus, but she finds a way to become part of the performance.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this sympathetic follow-up to Horace and Morris but Mostly Dolores, Howe and Walrod depict a girl mouse's frustrated singing attempts and leaven it with humor. "Horace and Morris but mostly Dolores loved to sing." When they make music, Horace hits "the high notes." Morris provides "the low notes." Dolores, whose voice-bubble "La la la" is inscribed in a wavery line, sings "notes no one had ever heard before." No one minds, least of all Dolores, until she suggests the three audition for Moustro Provolone, a choral director with an artistic curl in his mustache and a collection of metronomes and record players. Aspiring performers will share Dolores's painful shock at the call-back sheet: "Horace. Morris. Chloris. Gus." Where other authors might show a child finding consolation in a different talent, Howe takes the difficult route. Dolores adores singing and rebuffs a pal's patronizing remark that "the audience is important too." In a kindly resolution that calls to mind Kevin Henkes's deft handling of grade-school matters, Dolores pens an imploring note to the Moustro, who raves at her rhymes: "This would make a great song!... Of course you must be in the chorus to sing it." Dolores gets lessons, and Walrod's endearingly odd acrylics picture the tin-eared chanteuse trying her best among her pearly-toothed peers. Howe and Walrod never treat success as a given and, as in the previous book, they suggest persistence serves a mouse well. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-A touching and funny sequel to Horace and Morris but Mostly Dolores (Atheneum, 1999). When the three mice friends try out for chorus, Dolores, who often sings "notes no one had ever heard before" doesn't make the cut. She writes a pleading letter in rhyme to Moustro Provolone, asking him to reconsider his decision. He decides that the letter would make great lyrics to put to music, and, of course, Dolores must help sing it. He concludes that, "-everyone has a place in the chorus. Some singers just need a little more help." Walrod gets an astonishing amount of expression into the characters' faces, and their strong friendship as well as a satisfying ending make this tale a winner.
Shelley B. Sutherland, Niles Public Library District, IL
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: Turtleback (October 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1417743263
• ISBN-13: 978-1417743261
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 9.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,451,225 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

James Howe has written more than eighty books in the thirty-plus years he's been writing for young readers. It sometimes confuses people that the author of the humorous Bunnicula series also wrote the dark young adult novel, The Watcher, or such beginning reader series as Pinky and Rex and the E.B. White Read Aloud Award-winning Houndsley and Catina and its sequels. But from the beginning of his career (which came about somewhat by accident after asking himself what kind of vampire a rabbit might make), he has been most interested in letting his imagination take him in whatever direction it cared to. So far, his imagination has led him to picture books, such as I Wish I Were a Butterfly and Brontorina (about a dinosaur who dreams of being a ballerina), mysteries, poetry (in the upcoming Addie on the Inside), and fiction that deals with issues that matter deeply to him. He is especially proud of The Misfits, which inspired national No Name-Calling Week (www.nonamecallingweek.org) and its sequel Totally Joe. He does not know where his imagination will take him in the next thirty-plus years, but he is looking forward to finding out.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully Written, November 19, 2002

By 

"renovia" (Portland, ME United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Horace and Morris Join the Chorus (but what about Dolores?) (Horace and Morris and Dolores) (Hardcover)

What a nice book for any educator that sings in their classroom. Great for any elementary age student. Basically, the book lets you know that anyone can sing with a little help. It may take a little longer than others, but don't shy away from your dreams and goals!

Wonderful little book!

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely story, March 7, 2010

By 

Deborah Verlen "Deborah" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Horace and Morris Join the Chorus (but what about Dolores?) (Horace and Morris and Dolores) (Paperback)

This story is so much more than one about a little girl who doesn't get into the chorus when her best friend does.

Horace, Morris and Dolores love to sing and they all try out for the chorus. Morris and Horace are in the chorus, but Dolores is not. Moustro Provolone tells Dolores that she just doesn't have an ear for music. Dolores writes Moustro Provolone a letter and he reconsiders.

There are plenty of things to discuss with a child. Feelings that Dolores has after her friends get in and she doesn't. She is hurt, angry and resentful. And feels lonely. Dolores is persistent in pursuing a goal she loves. Her friends support her and are true friends. Many of the situations are ones little kids into and they can learn from Dolores.

5.0 out of 5 stars Clever and Sweet, November 9, 2006

By 

Raleigh Reader "Raleigh Reader" (raleigh, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Horace and Morris Join the Chorus (but what about Dolores?) (Horace and Morris and Dolores) (Paperback)

I love this book, but better than me liking it, by daughter likes it and asks for it at bedtime most nights. I highly recommend the book as its a clever read and for its appeal to a kid's sensibilites too.