James Howe is known for creating wonderful characters; his latest book, Horace and Morris But Mostly Dolores is no exception. Three mice named Horace, Morris, and Dolores are the best of friends and just happen to do everything together. Their adventures, like sailing the seven sewers and climbing Mount Ever-Rust, know no boundaries. They are the forever friends. That is, until Horace and Morris decide to join the Mega-Mice Club, which just happens to be a no-girls-allowed club.
Dolores is downhearted, and decides to join The Cheese Puffs (an all-girls club). She finds out right away that seminars on how to snag a fella using Mozzarella and making gifts out of Muenster cheese are not for her. She suggests that the Puffs go exploring or build a Roque-fort. The other girls just boo! Dolores decides she misses her old friends Horace and Morris, and quits the Cheese Puffs. Another Puff member named Chloris decides she will quit also. Dolores and Chloris stop by the clubhouse of the Mega-Mice and ask if anyone wants to go exploring. There are no takers, except (guess who?) Horace and Morris and another boy mouse named Borris. The five friends go exploring and form their own club where everyone is allowed.
James Howe has given us a story that children can easily identify with, and Amy Walrod's vibrant collage and acrylic illustrations are a perfect match to Howe's story. After reading this story with my children, they wanted to go exploring, build clubhouses, and pretend to be Horace and Morris but mostly Dolores.
Tim Hamilton is a first and second grade teacher in Hermitage, Tennessee.
