Grumpy Gloria

PreS-K -In this sweet story, a bulldog feels replaced when her young owner gets a doll for her birthday, and cannot be comforted by the other two children in the family. Unfortunately, the text is composed of singsong rhymes, mostly lists of single words rather than full sentences, which often seem awkward and do not scan well. Charming little vignettes on the endpapers show the canine and the little girl in happier times: Gloria pulls her in a wagon, watches intently as she blows bubbles, and looks content when she is being petted. Throughout the story, the pup -s expressions exude attitude, but the siblings - faces seem a little static even as their body movements capture the action. In several places, the very tops of the children -s heads are cut off, creating visuals that look as if the artist ran out of space. Large illustrations done in rich, bright colors are great for viewing at a distance, and the text, if read aloud, could be given expression. Preschoolers will laugh at Gloria -s antics and undoubtedly sympathize with her feelings. However, while the author -s "Llama, Llama Red Pajama" (Viking, 2005) is a surefire winner, this effort is an additional purchase." -Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA" Copyright 2006 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

With a delightfully fresh take on the time-proven theme about a family member who feels displaced by a new arrival, Dewdney ("Llama, Llama Red Pajama") features a jowly bulldog named Gloria. When the youngest child receives a new doll for her birthday, Gloria is definitely "glum and grumpy./ Out of sorts./ Sad and lumpy." The two older siblings do everything they can to cajole her (while the youngest plays with her doll). They give her a chew, new toys and a brushing, take her for a walk and dress her up in play clothes, but "sullen, scowly, sulky, slumpy.../ Gloria was staying grumpy." Dewdney portrays Gloria's hilariously tragic emotions with élan. The dog's brows are furrowed, her nose is wrinkled, and her jaw is rigid, but her indignation and crabbiness never make her less lovable. Readers will figure out the cause before the pair of siblings does; and when Gloria gets bumped from a bicycle basket into the doll's baby buggy, her mood substantially improves. The humor of the book comes through not only in Gloria's facial expressions but also in the lilting descriptions of her feelings. Cleverly, the front endpapers feature the two friends playing together, while the back endpapers add the new doll joining in the same games. The lively descriptions and amusing rhymes will make this a favorite for toddlers who feel left out. Ages 2-up. "(Sept.)" Copyright 2006 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.