Happy Valentine's Day, Emma!

Happy Valentine's Day, Emma!

Emma, the resourceful little witch, pits her skills against nasty witches Dolores and Lavinia as she tries to prevent them from spoiling Valentine's DayFrom Publishers WeeklyThat delectably gruesome pair of witches, Dolores and Lavinia, are at it again. This time they intend to ensure that no one, least of all the amiable young witch Emma, has a good time on what they consider the worst day of the yearValentine's Day. ("People sending little cards to say how much they like each other!" "Oh, barf me out, Dolores!") True to form, though, Emma neatly turns the tables, concocting an ingenious, hilariously horrible Valentine's Day surprise that proves too much even for Dolores and Lavinia. Having sent them packing, she finds that the sentiment of the day prevails, as she receives a number of genuine Valentines from her loyal animal friends. High-spirited hijinks, an irresistibly funny battle of wits and dialogue that crackles, all within the framework of Stevenson's exuberant illustrations. Ages 5-8.Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.From School Library JournalKindergarten-Grade 3 The newest book about that endearing little witch Emma and her two nasty nemeses Dolores and Lavinia is the perfect choice for any child who has ever fantasized about seeking revenge for one wrong or another. When Emma admits to liking Valentine's Day treats, she sets herself up as a perfect target for the green-faced sorceresses. Dolores and Lavinia grant Emma's wish for a token of holiday friendship in the form of a candy heart filled with chocolate covered worms. Not one to take such mistreatment lightly, Emma, aided by Botsford and another animal friend , dishes out retribution with delicious and harmless results. As tantalizing a brew as its three predecessors, children will delight in the humor, the down-to-earth language (``Oh, barf me out, Dolores!'') , and the satisfying ending . The prolific Stevenson once again uses sketchily rendered line drawing bathed in watercolors. The familiar comic-strip format is also intact; the dialogue is completely enclosed in balloons. Although there's nothing new here, this formula has proven to be a sure-fire winner, not only at holiday time, but all year round. Julie Corsaro, University of Chicago Laboratory SchoolsCopyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.