Annabel the Actress Starring in Gorilla My Dreams

From Publishers Weekly Conford's (the Jenny Archer series) fast-paced and funny first installment of a chapter-book series introduces an appealing thespian, Annabel, whose first paid job requires her to play a gorilla for a children's birthday party. In addition to Annabel, who wants "to be a movie star someday. Or at least a soap opera star," the boisterous cast includes Maggie, Annabel's resourceful friend and budding costume designer, and Lowell, Annabel's arch enemy who nearly closes her run as a gorilla before her debut. Andriani's (Really, Really Bad School Jokes) well-chosen comic scenes show Annabel getting into character by pretending to pick fleas out of her father's "fur" while he works on his computer and desperately trying to avoid dropping the birthday cake while being assaulted by her adoring five-year old "fans." In Annabel, Conford has created a persistent heroine smart and capable enough to overcome her small size and makeshift costume. This rising star will likely be a crowd pleaser for this and future performances. Ages 7-9. (June) Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. From School Library Journal Grade 2-4-In this humorous beginning chapter book, Conford introduces a resourceful, funny, and clever character who is a worthy successor to Jenny Archer. Annabel, an aspiring young actress who advertises "...NO PART TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL," is hired for her first job, playing a gorilla at a five-year-old's birthday party. Her friend Maggie volunteers to make her a costume from the furry lining of an old raincoat, she borrows a gorilla mask, and begins to practice gorilla behavior at home and at school. Unfortunately, the material is so thick that Maggie can only pin the pieces together and Annabel's worst enemy, Lowell Boxer, steals the mask from her on the big day. Forced to rely on her acting skills-while pins are jabbing her-Annabel is the hit of the party. She also comes up with a clever ploy to retrieve the mask from Lowell. The vocabulary is appropriate for those graduating from easy-readers, but the language is never stilted. Amusing pen-and-ink illustrations appear on almost every page. This book will be enjoyed by fans of James Howe's "Pinky and Rex" series (Atheneum) and Johanna Hurwitz's Russell and Elisa (Puffin, 1990).