From Publishers Weekly
In this sympathetic follow-up to Horace and Morris but Mostly Dolores, Howe and Walrod depict a girl mouse's frustrated singing attempts and leaven it with humor. "Horace and Morris but mostly Dolores loved to sing." When they make music, Horace hits "the high notes." Morris provides "the low notes." Dolores, whose voice-bubble "La la la" is inscribed in a wavery line, sings "notes no one had ever heard before." No one minds, least of all Dolores, until she suggests the three audition for Moustro Provolone, a choral director with an artistic curl in his mustache and a collection of metronomes and record players. Aspiring performers will share Dolores's painful shock at the call-back sheet: "Horace. Morris. Chloris. Gus." Where other authors might show a child finding consolation in a different talent, Howe takes the difficult route. Dolores adores singing and rebuffs a pal's patronizing remark that "the audience is important too." In a kindly resolution that calls to mind Kevin Henkes's deft handling of grade-school matters, Dolores pens an imploring note to the Moustro, who raves at her rhymes: "This would make a great song!... Of course you must be in the chorus to sing it." Dolores gets lessons, and Walrod's endearingly odd acrylics picture the tin-eared chanteuse trying her best among her pearly-toothed peers. Howe and Walrod never treat success as a given and, as in the previous book, they suggest persistence serves a mouse well. Ages 4-8.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2-A touching and funny sequel to Horace and Morris but Mostly Dolores (Atheneum, 1999). When the three mice friends try out for chorus, Dolores, who often sings "notes no one had ever heard before" doesn't make the cut. She writes a pleading letter in rhyme to Moustro Provolone, asking him to reconsider his decision. He decides that the letter would make great lyrics to put to music, and, of course, Dolores must help sing it. He concludes that, "-everyone has a place in the chorus. Some singers just need a little more help." Walrod gets an astonishing amount of expression into the characters' faces, and their strong friendship as well as a satisfying ending make this tale a winner.Shelley B. Sutherland, Niles Public Library District, ILCopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
PreS-Gr. 1. Horace, Morris, and Dolores, the happy mouse trio who made such a spirited debut in Horace, and Morris but Mostly Dolores (2001), are back again, and this time the complications to their friendship come in the form of music. The mice try out for the choir. Horace sings, "Squeek to Me Softly of Love," and Morris sings, "Somewhere under the Rainspout," and Dolores just sings loudly. Dolores' friends make the choir, and she doesn't, and she's sad and mad. Attempts at other activities don't work, and in her unhappiness, she writes a poem: "When I'm told I can't sing, the words really sting--and my heart hurts as much as my pride." The choirmaster reads the poem, sets it to music, and Dolores is now recognized as a songwriter. The ending, which sees Dolores also getting to sing in the chorus, seems a little optimistic. She's still not very good. But this mouse trio has such presence and verve that a few plot knots hardly matter. Walrod's delightful illustrations come laugh ready, and the pure colors she employs have pick-me-up appeal. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Book Description
Horace and Morris, but mostly Dolores, are back again for another uproarious adventure. When the three best friends decide to try out for the school chorus together, they're shocked when Dolores (who can only sing notes that no one has ever heard before) is the only one who doesn't make the cut. After all, they've always done everything together. Once Horace and Morris start chorus practice, they're so busy that they don't have time to go exploring or climb trees with Dolores anymore. Feeling left out and alone, Dolores decides to take matters into her own hands. But can she prove to Moustro Provolone that there's a place for every kind of voice in the chorus?

Card catalog description
Delores is upset when her friends are chosen to sing in the chorus, but she finds a way to become part of the performance.

About the Author
James Howe is the author of the award-winning bestseller Bunnicula and its many sequels, including The Tales from the House of Bunnicula series. He has also written many other popular stories for young readers, such as the Sebastian Barth mysteries and the Pinky and Rex series. He lives in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, with his daughter.

FROM OUR EDITORS

The Barnes & Noble Review
James Howe and Amy Walrod's mousy threesome -- who charmed audiences in Horace and Morris but Mostly Dolores -- are warming up their vocal cords and auditioning for the choir in this lively picture book.

When Horace, Morris, and Dolores see a posting for chorus tryouts, the three get busy practicing for the big day. Unfortunately, "Dolores sang notes no one had ever heard before," and later, after a gallant attempt at "The Mouse in the Wheel Goes Round and Round," she doesn't make the cut. Angry and dejected, Dolores tries reasoning with Moustro Provolone and hopes other friends might lend support. Nothing helps, so Dolores courageously slips the Moustro a heartfelt letter -- the missive makes him swoon over her writing skills, and he excitedly puts her words to music. Happily, Dolores gets her original wish, too, since the Moustro decides that "everyone has a place in the chorus" and gives her some lessons that help her pitch and her confidence.

With all the zest and spunk of their previous book starring these three mice, Howe's on-the-mark story and Walrod's lively illustrations provide a great lesson in self-assuredness and appreciating individual talent. Readers who have ever felt left out will identify with Dolores's dejected and confused emotions, and they'll cheer when her gumption pays off. A confidence-building ode to staying strong! Matt Warner

ANNOTATION

Delores is upset when her friends are chosen to sing in the chorus, but she finds a way to become part of the performance.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Horace and Morris, but mostly Dolores, are back again for another uproarious adventure. When the three best friends decide to try out for the school chorus together, they're shocked when Dolores (who can only sing notes that no one has ever heard before) is the only one who doesn't make the cut. After all, they've always done everything together.

Once Horace and Morris start chorus practice, they're so busy that they don't have time to go exploring or climb trees with Dolores anymore. Feeling left out and alone, Dolores decides to take matters into her own hands. But can she prove to Moustro Provolone that there's a place for every kind of voice in the chorus?

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

In this sympathetic follow-up to Horace and Morris but Mostly Dolores, Howe and Walrod depict a girl mouse's frustrated singing attempts and leaven it with humor. "Horace and Morris but mostly Dolores loved to sing." When they make music, Horace hits "the high notes." Morris provides "the low notes." Dolores, whose voice-bubble "La la la" is inscribed in a wavery line, sings "notes no one had ever heard before." No one minds, least of all Dolores, until she suggests the three audition for Moustro Provolone, a choral director with an artistic curl in his mustache and a collection of metronomes and record players. Aspiring performers will share Dolores's painful shock at the call-back sheet: "Horace. Morris. Chloris. Gus." Where other authors might show a child finding consolation in a different talent, Howe takes the difficult route. Dolores adores singing and rebuffs a pal's patronizing remark that "the audience is important too." In a kindly resolution that calls to mind Kevin Henkes's deft handling of grade-school matters, Dolores pens an imploring note to the Moustro, who raves at her rhymes: "This would make a great song!... Of course you must be in the chorus to sing it." Dolores gets lessons, and Walrod's endearingly odd acrylics picture the tin-eared chanteuse trying her best among her pearly-toothed peers. Howe and Walrod never treat success as a given and, as in the previous book, they suggest persistence serves a mouse well. Ages 4-8. (Oct.) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2-A touching and funny sequel to Horace and Morris but Mostly Dolores (Atheneum, 1999). When the three mice friends try out for chorus, Dolores, who often sings "notes no one had ever heard before" doesn't make the cut. She writes a pleading letter in rhyme to Moustro Provolone, asking him to reconsider his decision. He decides that the letter would make great lyrics to put to music, and, of course, Dolores must help sing it. He concludes that, "-everyone has a place in the chorus. Some singers just need a little more help." Walrod gets an astonishing amount of expression into the characters' faces, and their strong friendship as well as a satisfying ending make this tale a winner.-Shelley B. Sutherland, Niles Public Library District, IL

Kirkus Reviews