Jolly Time Books: Kelly's Adventures (1-3 Boxed Set) by Karen and Dennis McGowan

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Jolly Time Books: Kelly’s Adventures 1-3 Boxed Set is a collection of three short novels for children by Karen S. McGowan and Dennis E. McGowan. It’s about a girl named Lizzy Jolly, who lives with her brother, her quirky parents, and—most important—a short-haired dachshund named Kelly. Lizzy starts out very insecure, feeling bullied at school, but after her family moves near Washington D.C. she starts an exciting life learning piano, becoming student council vice-president, and touring the White House. Along the way she hangs out with friends, gets good guidance from teachers, and loves her cute, trouble-making dog to distraction.
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Jolly Time Books: Kelly’s Adventures Boxed Set is a really fun set of books! It offers a lot of laughs, a pair of amusing parents that just had me chuckling my way through the pages, and a thrilling conclusion of a hiking trip gone wrong that turned this sweet tale into an exciting adventure story at the last minute. Although Lizzy narrates how she feels, with a sincere tone that made her seem exactly like any girl you know, the many pictures of Kelly the dog serenely doing a variety of little activities emphasized that this dog is the central identity of the family. She brings out things about each family member and if they have relationships—good or bad—going on with each other or with anyone else, Kelly is sure to bring that out. There are no secrets in the Jolly family, thanks to Kelly, and the openness and tone of gentle humor in this leisurely paced book is something children can appreciate. Karen S. McGowan and Dennis E. McGowan are good at entertaining kids.