Overview
Cherry Sullivan prefers reading books to playing with the other children in her class. They make fun of her for being plump, and they are not nearly as entertaining as the adventures she reads about. Though she's shy and keeps to herself, Cherry secretly longs for a friend.
When she discovers a stray dog at her father's animal shelter that is also plump and shy (and a bit wrinkly), she names her Olive and they become fast friends. Cherry finds the courage within herself to stand up for the dog and protect her—something she has not been able to do for herself.
Beautifully illustrated, this touching story is sure to strike a chord with all who have ever felt a little lonely and yearned for a friend.
Synopsis
Cherry Sullivan prefers reading books to playing with the other children in her class. They make fun of her for being plump, and they are not nearly as entertaining as the adventures she reads about. Though she's shy and keeps to herself, Cherry secretly longs for a friend.
When she discovers a stray dog at her father's animal shelter that is also plump and shy (and a bit wrinkly), she names her Olive and they become fast friends. Cherry finds the courage within herself to stand up for the dog and protect her—something she has not been able to do for herself.
Beautifully illustrated, this touching story is sure to strike a chord with all who have ever felt a little lonely and yearned for a friend.
Children's Literature
A lonely girl named Cherry loses herself in books. While helping her father at the animal shelter, she makes friends with a little wrinkled dog she names Olive She is warned not to become too attached to the dog. After all, its owner could still come and take her home. Hoping this will not happen, Cherry tries to take Olive out for a walk whenever someone arrives at the shelter. Unfortunately for Cherry, one day Olive s owners do come. But fortunately the child with them is Angelo, a boy Cherry has long admired in school. He invites her to visit Olive, for a happy ending. Cherry is an exotic-looking, dark-haired youngster, shyly sunken into her heavily-cabled white turtleneck sweater. Mainly full-page, slightly stylized scenes tell the visual tale with psychological sensitivity to Cherry s discomfort with the teasing girls at school, her growing, satisfying relationship with Olive, and her admiration of Angelo. Contextual details in vignettes add atmosphere to the satisfying story of shyness overcome. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz
Editorials
Children's Literature
A lonely girl named Cherry loses herself in books. While helping her father at the animal shelter, she makes friends with a little wrinkled dog she names Olive She is warned not to become too attached to the dog. After all, its owner could still come and take her home. Hoping this will not happen, Cherry tries to take Olive out for a walk whenever someone arrives at the shelter. Unfortunately for Cherry, one day Olive’s owners do come. But fortunately the child with them is Angelo, a boy Cherry has long admired in school. He invites her to visit Olive, for a happy ending. Cherry is an exotic-looking, dark-haired youngster, shyly sunken into her heavily-cabled white turtleneck sweater. Mainly full-page, slightly stylized scenes tell the visual tale with psychological sensitivity to Cherry’s discomfort with the teasing girls at school, her growing, satisfying relationship with Olive, and her admiration of Angelo. Contextual details in vignettes add atmosphere to the satisfying story of shyness overcome. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia MarantzSchool Library Journal
K-Gr 2
Plump Cherry Sullivan is a sad, vulnerable child. Ridiculed by her classmates, she keeps to herself at school and on the playground as she tries hard not to be noticed. Although one boy, Angelo, seems nice, she is too shy to approach him. While visiting her dad at work at the animal shelter, she discovers a funny, wrinkly dog and falls instantly in love. She names the pup Olive and desperately hopes that no one comes to claim her. Their daily walks are happy times and as the girl's love for the pup grows, so does her own self-confidence. When two mean girls from school poke fun at Olive, Cherry lets them know that the dog is not to be laughed at. Eventually her owners do appear to retrieve her, but Cherry is relieved to find that she belongs to Angelo. He thanks her for taking such good care of his pet and asks if she would like to visit her at his house. The story ends with the two new friends petting Olive/Chocolate together. The illustrations are somewhat stylized and pleasantly reminiscent of Tim Burton's characters in The Nightmare before Christmas . The artist's palette is dark and rich in the beginning but lightens as Cherry's world expands to include both Olive and Angelo. This title will be particularly useful in classrooms and libraries-anywhere, in fact-where lonely children might need some help fitting in with others.
—Joan KindigCopyright 2006 Reed Business Information.