Mrs. Nobody

PreS-Gr 2--Alice thinks her (imaginary) friend Mrs. Nobody has the best ideas, like eating toothpaste, lying about washing her hands, and cutting Alice's hair. She also helps Alice climb to the highest tree branches and to be brave in the middle of the night. But when Alice refuses to play puppy (again), Mrs. Nobody leaves. When she returns the next day, she expects Alice to fall in line, but she stands up for herself, letting Mrs. Nobody know she also has excellent ideas, like ice cream for breakfast. While educators and other adults may cringe at the uncorrected shenanigans the two friends get up to, children will understand the lesson about navigating friendships. All ages will get lost in Lafrance's whimsical pencil and digital illustrations. Mrs. Nobody's hair often features birds or an empty cage, while some of her dresses are made of feathers or plants. During Mrs. Nobody's argument with Alice, anger turns her dress from a serene blue to windy clouds, to a full storm as her hair grows into a veritable tornado. VERDICT There are many stories about standing up to an overbearing friend, but the fanciful twist on this one makes it stand apart. Recommended for most collections.--Jennifer Rothschild

A young girl asserts herself when her wayward imaginary friend refuses to listen. Alice loves playing with Mrs. Nobody, who has the best ideas. Mrs. Nobody draws on the walls, gobbles toothpaste, and makes confetti out of "some old paper that was just lying around in a wallet." But Mrs. Nobody isn't always the best listener. When Alice points out that it's her turn to take on a coveted role during a game of make-believe, Mrs. Nobody screams in anger before disappearing. Alice feels lonely, but Mrs. Nobody returns the next day. Alice is overjoyed, but when she again refuses to acquiesce to her friend, the furious Mrs. Nobody takes the form of a fiery dragon. "I have to be the boss," Mrs. Nobody says. "My ideas are the best." The two reach a compromise as Alice points out that she has good ideas, too, which leads to more imaginative play. Lee's understated prose pairs well with Lafrance's whimsical, dreamy art. Mrs. Nobody's free-flowing tresses and gown are artfully rendered with soft textures and nature motifs, dotted with pops of color. She transforms with her moods--her hair becomes tornadolike when she rages, while she resembles a delicate pink flower when she's in a more relaxed state of mind. The result is a tale told with a light touch that will nevertheless empower readers to stand up for themselves. Alice and Mrs. Nobody present East Asian. Infused with a fantastical flair, a doorway to helping kids learn to establish boundaries.(Picture book. 5-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.