Dotty

Dotty

It’s Ida’s first day of school. She carries her new lunch box and a long, blue string with her special friend Dotty attached to it. A big, colorfully spotted pal with horns, Dotty just happens to be invisible. On that first day of school, Ida and Dotty find out there are plenty of other imaginary friends in attendance. But as the year passes and fewer and fewer imaginary friends come to class, Ida begins to wonder if Dotty is welcome at school anymore . . . Perceptive and warmly funny, with charming art from exciting illustrator Julia Denos, Dotty is a celebration of the power of friendship and imagination. "Denos’ colorful, stylish, mixed-media illustrations emphasize the sweetness, discovery, and common worries that come with leaving home and entering the wide world of school for the first time. An appealing story that merits repeat visits." — Booklist "Denos's paintings are an unadulterated delight." — Publishers Weekly "A charmer." — Kirkus Reviews "This enjoyable tale of maturing at one’s own pace and on one’s own terms will resonate with children and parents alike." — School Library Journal "This picture book will help young students overcome their nervousness and realize that everyone needs a friend. It would be a wonderful opening day read-aloud." — Library Media Connection K-Gr 1–When Ida starts school, she brings along her invisible friend, as do many of her peers. Each one embodies some aspect of the child it has bonded with. In Ida's case, it's her anger. As winter flows into spring, Ida realizes that she is the only child still bringing her special friend to school. When Katya teases her about Dotty, Ida (Dotty) shoves her and gets into trouble. Staying after school, Ida discovers that her teacher also has an invisible friend she still brings to school. Denos's illustrations subtly show the characters and the seasons changing, and the pressures of growing up. The text is best suited for one-on-one reading as the pictures have hidden nuggets of information for those who look carefully. This enjoyable tale of maturing at one's own pace and on one's own terms will resonate with children and parents alike. Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH © Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. The author of the super silly Chicken Butt! (2009) strikes a more introspective chord with this story about imaginary friends. Dotty, a large, horned, polka-dot creature, goes wherever Ida, a young girl, goes. On the first day of school, Dotty is one of several imaginary friends, but as the school year progresses, Ida thinks that Dotty is the only one left. Then she shares a reassuring chat with her teacher, who reveals that sometimes grown-ups need friendly support, too. The story sends a gentle message to children who aren’t ready to let go of their imaginary friends, and as with many other picture books about classroom anxiety, including Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten (1996) and First Day Jitters (2000), the shared experiences between teachers and their pupils will be a source of comfort for young children. Denos’ colorful, stylish, mixed-media illustrations emphasize the sweetness, discovery, and common worries that come with leaving home and entering the wide world of school for the first time. An appealing story that merits repeat visits. Grades K-2. --Kara Dean Erica S. Perl is the author of Chicken Bedtime Is Really Early and Chicken Butt! She lives in Washington, D.C. Visit her online at www.ericaperl.com. Julia Denos studied illustration at the Art Institute of Boston and has published several acclaimed books for young readers. She lives in Quincy, Massachusetts. Visit her online at www.juliadenos.com.