DAHLIA

When Aunt Edme gazes into Dahlia's face, she knows that the doll has been given to the right niece. One might not think that races or tree climbing are proper for a china doll dressed in frilly clothes, but Aunt Edme sees that Dahlia has delighted in Charlotte's and Bruno the stuffed bear's rambunctious activities and that the three have forged a friendship. Kate Forbes is an unobtrusive narrator. Her inflections give just the right hint that something of a more complicated nature is happening as this picture book story unfolds. Her straightforward storytelling leaves the listener time to ponder the lavish illustrations and delight in the interplay of picture and text. A.R. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 03]