Families who loved Horace and Morris but Mostly Dolores by James Howe often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child starts noticing 'boys only' or 'girls only' cliques at school or on the playground. It is a perfect tool for navigating those first moments of gender-based exclusion and the pressure to conform to social groups that leave dear friends behind. The story follows three best-friend mice who are separated when the boys join a 'no girls' club and Dolores joins a 'no boys' club, only to realize that their friendship is more important than arbitrary rules. This charming tale addresses themes of loyalty, courage, and the loneliness of being left out. It is ideal for children aged 4 to 8 who are learning how to stand up to peer pressure and define their own social boundaries. By choosing this book, you are giving your child a roadmap for being a 'leader' in friendship, showing them that it is okay to walk away from a group if it means being true to themselves and their friends.
