No Room for Dessert

July 1, 2011

Gr 2-4-Eight-year-old Dessert Schneider feels neglected and unappreciated by her busy family. When her teacher announces an invention contest to honor Thomas Edison, she decides that a brilliant idea will get her all the attention she needs, and she sets her sights on winning. Despite her hard work, though, her Vending Dresser is defeated by the two-headed lemonade gun. Fortunately, Dessert's parents finally realize that their firstborn needs some special time alone with them, and they end up celebrating with her at the family's fondue restaurant. Dessert's voice is authentic, and readers will identify with her frustrations, but the overall feel is of an episodic television show, and the characters' names become a distraction (Mrs. Howdy Doody, Mushy, Wolfie, to name a few). The strongest narrative element is the air of excitement generated by the contest and the friendship that develops between Dessert and an inscrutable new kid. Davenier's charming black-and-white illustrations interspersed throughout add to the light feel. Purchase this one for fans of the first three books.-Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick's Catholic School, Charlotte, NC

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2011

Lively third-grader Dessert returns for more comic classroom and family fun as she learns to cope with jealousy in her third outing (Just Desserts, 2010, etc.).

Dessert certainly doesn't lack confidence. She's sure she'll easily win the prize for the best invention in her classroom's Thomas Edison unit. At home, however, things don't look as promising. Her mom spends all of her time with her two baby brothers and barely notices Dessert, while her dad concentrates on managing the family's restaurant, devoted entirely to fondue. As her despair at home increases, her certainty that she'll win the classroom prize increases, especially when she privately judges her classmate's inventions as obviously inferior to her own Vending Dresser, which would dispense a full month's worth of complete daily outfits at the mere press of a button. If she doesn't win, however, this fully realized, vivacious little character might learn some important lessons beyond those her teacher, Mrs. Howdy Doody, includes in the curriculum. When Dessert's mom forgets to pick her up at school, some family lessons may make Dessert feel much better, especially as she gets to eat real dessert--first!--at the family restaurant. Davenier's sparkling line drawings help young readers visualize the action.

Another romp full of zesty, true-life fun. (Fiction. 7-10)

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