No Presents Please. Gwen Molnar. Illustrated by Dan Clark. Montreal, PQ: Roussan Books, 2000. 42 pp, pbk., $6.95. ISBN 1-896184-86-3. Grades 2-5 / Ages 7-10. Review by Julie Hunt. ** /4

excerpt:

We'd always lived in big cities till now. We'd move to one, my parents would build a round house, and stay in it for a while. Then, we'd sell it and move on. I liked all the things that went on in big cities. Mind you, we'd lived in so many big cities and for such short times that I never got to know any of the kids in the schools I went to. But not because I was black. There were always a lot of black kids.

Sure as I started to make a friend, I'd come home one day and Mom would say, "Susie darling! We're building our next house in ..." Somewhere-or-other. The movers would show up, pack everything, and off we'd go.

Moving around didn't bother my grades too much, thank goodness. They were the only thing Mother thought I was any good at. But, like I said, I never got to know anybody. And something else. Moving so often meant I couldn't have a pet. Mom thought it wasn't fair to any animal to have it uprooted again and again. Once, I almost said, "Hey, Mom, I'm an animal too, and I don't want to be uprooted either!"

Susie gets her wish to have a house to call home when her family moves to Larkspur for good. As a way to meet new friends, she invites all eight of the kids in her Grade Five class to her birthday/Halloween party. Things go wrong when her mom and dad leave unexpectedly for a business trip leaving the party planning to the Perfect Party Planning People under the supervision of a dotty old aunt. The catering group doesn't show up, but a mysterious jellybean saleswoman, Mrs. Fixit, saves the day. Together, she and Susie throw an unforgettable party.

     Gwen Molar's writing is fluid and has an especially nice rhythm. Although the main character makes reference to skin colour, this is not a factor at play in the story, except to acknowledge that this family is affluent and educated. Under the guidance of the mystery woman, Susie tries new tasks and becomes confident in herself. This novel is written in the first person.

     While I enjoyed the basic story line, and I understand the magic of the mystery guest, certain elements were just too far fetched for my liking. For example, Susie's parents have a heliport on the top of their house, Susie learns to throw her voice in a day, and Mrs. Fixit has Susie wearing a bungee jumping harness as she dangles from the skylight. I believe most children will find this a bit of a stretch too. However, others who delight in fantasy may enjoy this story. Adequate black line illustrations are provided every 5-6 pages.

Recommended with reservations.

Julie Hunt is a teacher-librarian at West Bay School in West Vancouver, BC.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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