K-Gr 2—Ellie travels the world with her pet rabbit in search of someone who has unruly hair like hers. Her brightly colored tie-dyed dreadlocks fill the pages. After getting lost abroad and eventually being rescued, she learns that it's okay to be different, and that everyone likes her just the way she is. David McKee's Elmer (HarperCollins, 1989) shares the same theme. While the art is whimsical and eye-catching, the text is uneven in terms of age-level appropriate vocabulary and is distracting as it meanders over the pages. The cutesy, childlike dialogue will remind some readers of Laura Child's "Charlie & Lola" books (Orchard). Keane offers up several humorous one-liners, but the book is not essential for school or public libraries.—Karinn Figdore, Bellevue School District, WA
Be the first reader to comment.
Comment Policy:
Comment should not be empty !!!