Overview
Two friends will win your heart as their adventure amazes your eyes.
Gloria is brave, but Frieda is absolutely not. Gloria wants to go for a walk but Frieda absolutely does not. Everything is scary from Frieda's point of view-the river looks suspiciously like a snake, and is that a moldy old log over there, or a ferocious dog? When Frieda cries wolf one too many times, Gloria stops listening to her. But what's that in the bushes? Are the two little friends in danger, or is it another figment of Frieda's imagination?
Matthew McElligott's visual illusions will have you just as amazed as Frieda is about what's absolutely real and what's absolutely not. And Gloria and Frieda's friendship will win your hearts.
Gloria, an ant, takes her friend Frieda for a walk and tries to convince her not to always view the world as a frightening place.
Synopsis
Two friends will win your heart as their adventure amazes your eyes.
Gloria is brave, but Frieda is absolutely not. Gloria wants to go for a walk but Frieda absolutely does not. Everything is scary from Frieda's point of view-the river looks suspiciously like a snake, and is that a moldy old log over there, or a ferocious dog? When Frieda cries wolf one too many times, Gloria stops listening to her. But what's that in the bushes? Are the two little friends in danger, or is it another figment of Frieda's imagination?
Matthew McElligott's visual illusions will have you just as amazed as Frieda is about what's absolutely real and what's absolutely not. And Gloria and Frieda's friendship will win your hearts.
Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz - Children's Literature
Gloria and Frieda are an odd couple of anthropomorphic ants. Gloria is ready to try almost anything, while Frieda is afraid of almost everything. Gloria takes Frieda out for a walk on a lovely early fall day. Frieda is uncomfortable, sure that someone is watching them. Everywhere Gloria sees possibilities but Frieda sees menaces. When Gloria decides to take the shortcut home through the woods, Frieda admits that perhaps she worries and imagines too much. But this time, what Frieda thinks she sees is real: a menacing bird. "We were nearly dinner," Gloria admits, apologizing to Frieda. But surprisingly Frieda has decided that what she would like from Gloria is to be taken for another walk tomorrow. The pencil, watercolor and digital illustrations visualize Frieda's fantasies, so that if we look closely we can see them hidden there. The scenes are simplified natural settings with the trees, plants, and landscapes all lushly green and attractive. The two ladies, primly dressed in shades of lavender with hats, loops of pearls, and four hands clutching purse, enable us to smile as we join them on this low-key adventure. A map on the end-papers helps visualize their journey. 2004, Walker & Company, Ages 4 to 8.
Editorials
Children's Literature
Gloria and Frieda are an odd couple of anthropomorphic ants. Gloria is ready to try almost anything, while Frieda is afraid of almost everything. Gloria takes Frieda out for a walk on a lovely early fall day. Frieda is uncomfortable, sure that someone is watching them. Everywhere Gloria sees possibilities but Frieda sees menaces. When Gloria decides to take the shortcut home through the woods, Frieda admits that perhaps she worries and imagines too much. But this time, what Frieda thinks she sees is real: a menacing bird. "We were nearly dinner," Gloria admits, apologizing to Frieda. But surprisingly Frieda has decided that what she would like from Gloria is to be taken for another walk tomorrow. The pencil, watercolor and digital illustrations visualize Frieda's fantasies, so that if we look closely we can see them hidden there. The scenes are simplified natural settings with the trees, plants, and landscapes all lushly green and attractive. The two ladies, primly dressed in shades of lavender with hats, loops of pearls, and four hands clutching purse, enable us to smile as we join them on this low-key adventure. A map on the end-papers helps visualize their journey. 2004, Walker & Company, Ages 4 to 8.—Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz