Dot in Larryland: The Big Little Book of an Odd-Sized Friendship - Hardcover

PreSchool-Grade 3—A quirky tale of an unlikely friendship between beyond-ridiculously small Dot and extra-large Larry. Though the title gives the impression that Dot enters Larry's world, the book is more about how the characters don't fit in with average-sized people and how they eventually find one another. The text reads like a Dr. Seuss offering with its rhymes and made-up words. For example, on "The Chart of Tinies," Dot is shown to be littler than a "Glot (small), Zot (quite small), Sprot (even smaller), Krot (unbelievably small)," and Chot (ridiculously small)." Dot has a hard time finding friends: sand grains are preoccupied with being a beach while fleas are too busy making dogs itch. Of course, Larry doesn't have it any easier: the house at 66 Edgars Lane refuses his invitation for a walk, saying, "I'm stuck here, in charge of the Johnsons' stuff." And in response to his wanting to play hide-and-seek, the weeping willow only cries. Then, when Larry almost eats Dot one day, the two become friends. Marx's humor combined with Chast's New Yorker-style illustrations make for quite a sophisticated read. The pen-and-ink and watercolor artwork is filled with clever details and touches, and dialogue balloons add wisecracking fun. Some words and concepts may go over the heads of younger children, but the rhyme schemes and short sentences make this a lively and original read-aloud.—Kim T. Ha, Elkridge Branch Library, MD
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