Horace and Morris, but Mostly Dolores (Favorites on CD)

Rating:
Summary: I'm a storyteller, and this is always a big hit!
Review: 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!

Rating:
Summary: I'm a storyteller, and this is always a big hit!
Review: 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!

Rating:
Summary: Where this reviewer learns how many names rhyme with Dolores
Review: It simply stands to reason that the man who brought us the wonders of Bunnicula would be a mighty fine picture book author as well. I mean, it's obvious when you consider it. James Howe's quite the talented man and "Horace and Morris but Mostly Dolores" is one of those picture books that stay with you long after an initial reading. After paging through the story I went on with my life. I went to work. I watched some television. I ate some Chinese food for lunch at a remarkably low price. And all the time that I was doing all this I'd find myself thinking back to "Horace and Morris but Mostly Dolores". I thought about some of the careful phrasings James Howe uses in the book. I thought about what he's saying about gender, and social constructions, and friendship. I thought about how well the story was paced and how you can write a really good picture book without its characters resorting to malice or nastiness. In the end, I just have to say that this is one of those stories that stays with you. You will not find yourself significantly changed by the book and your children may only find it mildly diverting rather than mind-blowing. But it's darn good. Darn tootin' good.

So there are three small mice at the helm of this tale. There is Horace. And there is Morris. And there is (mostly) Dolores. These three are good friends who partake of a great many adventures, schemes, and exciting walkabouts. Then, one day, the two boys come across the Mega-Mice clubhouse. Eyeing the sign that states that no girls are allowed ("What kind of place doesn't allow girls?, Dolores wondered") Dolores is regretfully but swiftly abandoned. Following suit she joins The Cheese Puffs, a remarkably girly club. This goes on for some time until Dolores can take it no longer (the Cheese Puffs have a tendency to carve things out of cheese and that's about it) and announces that she's going exploring. The girls show no interest, with the exception of Chloris. They march over to the boys and Morris and Horace join them (with new friend Boris). And thus it is that a new club is begun. And everyone is allowed to join.

Sweet stuff. James Howe is to be commended for the book, not least because he managed to think of four names that rhyme with Dolores. And yes, it's always nice to read a well-written book about inclusion that doesn't whop you over the head with its saccharine sweet message. "Horace and Morris but Mostly Dolores" is tightly written and consistently interesting. Howe's words are especially good here. When Dolores tries to joke with the boys about choosing to go to an all-boy club the book points out that, "They didn't even smile". When she herself makes a joke later, she is not smiling either. Howe was coupled for this book with illustrator Amy Walrod who, prior to this tale, had never done a children's book before. It does not show. Using a cartoony style of acrylics and collage, Walrod won my heart through her infinite funny details. For example, when Dolores decides to leave the girly mice, one of them is clearly seen constructing a detailed diagram of getting a "fella" through the meticulous use of mozzarella. And when Dolores and Chloris invite Horace and Morris along, it took me a couple readings to notice that they were (at the time) tied up by their fellow "friends".

Let's recap. Smart writing. Good message (though admittedly I remember being a big fan of all-girl clubs when I was a lass). Great illustrations. I can't say it any clearer than that, my friends. "Horace and Morris but Mostly Dolores" is a top-notch work of mousy art. One of the great picture books of the last ten years. That and it's fun to say the title aloud.

Rating:
Summary: Funky and Charming!
Review: 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