Dory Fantasmagory

Description

Move over, Junie B. Jones and Ivy & Bean! Here comes a lovably energetic little sister with a BIG personality—and an imagination to match!

As the youngest in her family, Dory really wants attention, and more than anything she wants her brother and sister to play with her. But she’s too much of a baby for them, so she’s left to her own devices—including her wild imagination and untiring energy. Her siblings may roll their eyes at her childish games, but Dory has lots of things to do: outsmarting the monsters all over the house, escaping from prison (aka time-out), and exacting revenge on her sister’s favorite doll. And when they really need her, daring Dory will prove her bravery, and finally get exactly what she has been looking for.

With plenty of pictures bursting with charm and character, this hilarious book about an irresistible rascal is the new must-read for the chapter book set.Praise for Dory Fantasmagory

* “This inventive child is irresistible…Charming, funny and true to life.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* ”Hanlon effectively uses many childlike pencil drawings and word balloons interspersed with a good mix of short and long sentences in brief, episodic chapters full of Dory’s hilarious adventures…readers will laugh at her entertaining antics.” – SLJ, starred review

“ Time spent with Dory is time well spent.”– PW , starred review

“Perfection of tone, plot, pacing, art, you name it. Author Abby Hanlon has taken a universal childhood desire (the wish of the younger sibling for the older ones to play with them) and turned it into a magnificent epic fantasy complete with sharp-toothed robbers, bearded fairy godmothers, and what may be the most realistic 6-year-old you’ll ever meet on a page. In a word, fantastico.” —SLJ Fuse 8 Blog

““This book has everything going for it: A throbbing heart at its center …humor in spades and charm to spare…this is one of the best children’s books I’ve seen all year.”—Kirkus Reviews blogAbby Hanlon is a former teacher. Inspired by her students’ storytelling, Abby began to write her own stories for children, and taught herself to draw. She is the author of Ralph Tells a Story. Abby lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and their two children.

 

CHAPTER 1

My name is Dory, but everyone calls me Rascal. This is my family. I am the little kid.

My sister’s name is Violet and my brother’s name is Luke. Violet is the oldest. Violet and Luke never want to play with me. They say I’m a baby.

“Mom! Rascal is bothering us!”

“What is she doing?” calls my mother.

All summer long, whenever I try to play with Luke and Violet, they say, “PLEASE LEAVE US ALONE!” Well, I’m not going to leave. But I can’t think of what to say, so I ask questions. Any question I can think of.

“I can’t wait for school to start so we can get a break from Rascal!” says Violet.

“Me too!” grumbles Luke.

“Don’t talk about school!” I cover my ears. I never want summer to end. I like to stay home in my nightgown instead of getting dressed for school.

“It’s a winter nightgown,” says Violet.

“And it’s inside out,” says Luke.

“And it’s backwards,” says Violet.

“So what?” I say.

“So, now that you turned six, you need to stop acting like such a baby!”

“Why do you always call me a baby?” I complain.

“Because you talk to yourself,” says Violet.

“And you have temper tantrums,” says Luke.

“And you play with monsters,” says Violet.

Talk to myself? I have no idea what they are talking about. I never talk to MYSELF. I talk to my friend Mary. No one can see her except me.

Mary always wants to play with me. She thinks I’m the greatest.

At night, Mary sleeps under my bed.

During the day, Mary follows me around. She wants to do whatever I’m doing. I usually don’t mind, but sometimes I have to tell her no.

“Okay. Mary, what do you want to play?” I ask.

Here are some things Mary likes to do:

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