Dory Fantasmagory
A teacher’s look at why this book belongs in the Read-to-Me, Read-by-Me stage.
Why it fits Read-to-Me, Read-by-Me (for the kindergarten-ready set, between being read to and reading alone)
Dory's imaginary friends and monster nemesis collide with her real family's patience. It captures exactly how a six-year-old's imagination actually operates. Read it aloud once and the character voices are yours forever.
What makes it special
Hanlon writes the interior monologue of a six-year-old with documentary accuracy — imaginary nemesis and all. Her scribbly kid-style drawings look like Dory drew them herself, collapsing the distance between reader and character. Families report the character voices become permanent household residents.
From the publisher
Dory, the youngest in her family, is a girl with a very active imagination, and she spends the summer playing with her imaginary friend, pretending to be a dog, battling monsters, and generally driving her family nuts.…
About Abby Hanlon
Abby Hanlon wrote and illustrated the seven Dory Fantasmagory chapter books, published by Dial/Penguin Random House; the first was named a Best Book of the Year by Kirkus, Publishers Weekly and Parent's Magazine and won a Golden Kite Honor. She has a master's degree in childhood education from City College of New York and has taught creative writing and first grade in the New York City public school system.
Hanlon never went to art school and taught herself to draw. Her debut picture book, Ralph Tells a Story (2012), is widely used by elementary school teachers.
Also by this author: Dory Fantasmagory: The Real True Friend · Ralph Tells a Story
More from “Chapter One, Together”
This book is part of The Best Books for Beginning Readers: 30 Teacher Picks (Read-to-Me, Read-by-Me) in our guide The Best Children’s Books by Age — 120 books chosen by the Montessori-certified teachers at Creative Minds Montessori in Frisco, TX. Come see how we build readers →
Nobody paid for this review — not the author, not the publisher — and the store link above earns us nothing. Our only interest is the reader this book fits.