Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Andy Shane and the Very Bossy Dolores Starbuckle
Illustrator: Abby Carter
Fiction Series
For ages 5 to 7
Candlewick Press, 2006 ISBN: 978-0763630447
Andy Shane hates school. He wishes he could be at home with Granny Webb instead of having to be in school and instead of having to share a classroom with Dolores Starbuckle. Dolores is a tattle tale and a know-it-all and she seems to take a perverse pleasure in making Andy's life miserable.
One morning Andy tells Granny Webb about his problems and he very firmly announces that he hates school. Granny Webb is sympathetic but she still insists that Andy has to go to school no matter how he feels. And so Andy gets on the school bus. But he gets a surprise at school for Granny Web turns up. She brings the class a monarch caterpillar for their science center. She even stays on for morning meeting and when Dolores starts to take over, as she so often does, Granny Webb teaches Dolores a thing or two. She also teaches Andy that there are times when you simply have to stand up for yourself.
Anyone who has had to deal with a bossy person on a regular basis will instantly understand how Andy feels in this entertaining and sensitively written little story. Both shy Andy and overbearing Dolores learn something new on the day when Granny Webb comes to school, and can be no doubt that Granny Webb is a very intelligent and wise old lady.
