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ALICE’S WORLD RECORD by Tim Kennemore

ALICE’S WORLD RECORD

by Tim Kennemore & illustrated by Mike Spoor

Pub Date: Sept. 1st, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-8028-5336-3
Publisher: Eerdmans

Sibling strife is cleverly explored in this funny tale of a gentle girl caught between her prim, showboat brother and her obnoxious younger sister. Alice is often in the middle of Rosie and Oliver; the little girl wreaks havoc and then pins the blame on her stuffed penguin, and her older brother swings between bossiness and brooding. Their caring parents attempt to be fair, but are clearly exhausted. Alice especially dreads visits to their Grandma Fox (who makes it known that Oliver is her favorite), but is astonished at her good fortune one day when she actually wins a game against him during the car ride there. Oliver, of course, pouts and cries injustice over her win and this eventually leads them into uncharted territory when Oliver loses his cool in front of his adoring grandmother. Kennemore’s portrayal of a loving, but overwhelmed family is written with understanding and a light touch, and the understated Alice is an affable protagonist. Spoor’s expressive ink-and-wash drawings are a fine addition to this quirky story. (Fiction. 8-12)