Lucy's Quarrel

When Lucy (a small black girl) gets a bit bossy and big headed about her imminent birthday party, her best friend and cousin Alice (a small white girl) reacts with acerbity. Tongues are pulled and the friendship is left in tatters. As the party approaches, Lucy's realisation that life is not as much fun without Alice intensifies, but with all the bloody minded defiance of a nursery aged child, she steadfastly resists sustained adult attempts to encourage her to mend the rift. The latest Lucy and Alice story is told through plain prose and lively dialogue, clearly printed against colourful, realistic paintings of the everyday lives of the two children. There are touches of humour and of real sadness as the quarrel persists, and the story is told so well that younger readers and listeners will experience genuine uncertainty as to whether or not it will all end in tears. Very hihgly recommended for beginner readers and for reading aloud.