PRESENTING... TALLULAH

This puzzling book makes for a confusing read. Tallulah is a privileged little girl who, because of her wealth, cannot enjoy the hallmarks of childhood. She cannot get dirty because of her lovely dresses, and she unhappily rides to school in a limousine. Readers may be forgiven some confusion. Is Tallulah sad because she is rich and lonely? Or clean? Or because she wants to be like everyone else? At the story’s climax, Tallulah saves a drowning dog (in ridiculously unconvincing fashion—she throws it her sash). Conveniently, an apparently wealthy boy appears in a suit and tie to help her. In the end, Tallulah confesses to the grown-ups who she really is ("I like to wear jeans") and, predictably, gets to keep the soggy puppy. Does this mean that being "like everyone else" means getting what you want? Tallulah is drawn to look like Spelling, with wide-set brown eyes and blond hair. Her diamond earrings sparkle, and her outfits are detailed, in direct contrast to the other children, who are more sketchily drawn. Frankly, the other children seem more interesting. (Picture book. 7-9)