Synopsis
Milly and Molly befriend an extended family of guinea pigs. All but one, Betelgeuse, know the story behind their name. A gem of a story encouraging the building of self-esteem in others. (Building Sef Esteem in Others)
Carlee Hallman - Children's Literature
The girls observe a family of guinea pigs in a grassy corner of the garden. Ma Guinea tells each little guinea pig a story about its name and ends with "You are special." Only Betelgeuse does not have a story for his name, and in spite of Ma Guinea saying he is special, he does not feel it. Milly and Molly watch a friendly star winking in the night sky. When they tell a farmer about it, they learn that the star's name is Betelgeuse. Now they can help Ma Guinea tell Betelgeuse a story for his name. A "Parent Guide" at the end of the book points out the value of building self-esteem. To learn which child is which, one must look at the first picture of the girls sitting on a bench. Milly has brown skin and black, curly hair. Molly has pink skin and straight, blonde hair. At the beginning and end of the book is the saying, "We may look different but we feel the same." The bright, simple pictures capture the innocence of childhood. The end papers show Milly, Molly rag dolls. This is one of a series coming to us from New Zealand. 2003, Milly Molly Books, Ages 4 to 8.