Rose and Dorothy

Deborah Fisher is a medical doctor associated with Mount Sinai Hospital
in Toronto.

Because of the fine illustrations and the almost-humorous characters,
readers may expect a great story. Unfortunately, the plot digresses,
leaving them disappointed.

An elephant named Dorothy moves in with a mouse named Rose. The
honeymoon is all anticipation and joy, until Rose becomes disillusioned
with Dorothy. Hence the elephant moves away and becomes a famous
night-club singer. Rose slumps into a profound depression, which
improves only when Dorothy buys a house next door. The moral of the
story escapes me, and I am sure a child would have great difficulty
grasping it. Is it that everyone benefits from living alone? Or that
familiarity breeds contempt?

There is cosy warmth to the illustrations, with their fragile nature,
their attention to detail, and their easy wash of colors. The fine
artwork, however, does not save the tale from trailing into oblivion. I
doubt this book will capture a young reader’s attention or
imagination.