Gloria's Way

These easy-to-digest vignettes narrated by the affable and resourceful friend of Huey and Julian Bates (who each star in their own series of books) go down like comfort food. The volume offers swift, palpable solutions to a girl's everyday problems. Six self-contained chapters show how Gloria deals with frustrations over friends, school and her career-oriented parents. Toft's engaging chapter openers and full-page drawings cover the range of Gloria's many moods and her winning personality. While the book remains focused on the under-10 crowd--and the author captures the cadences of their conversation perfectly--adults play an important role, too. The parents step in, without seeming intrusive, like guardian angels to smooth out life's little wrinkles. When an agitated parrot ruins the valentine Gloria made for her mother, for instance, patient Mr. Bates plants just enough ideas to help her start a new one. In answer to another, more serious matter, Gloria's mother offers sage advice when Gloria fears that Julian likes their new neighbor better than her. Cameron (The Secret Life of Amanda K. Woods) conveys the benefits of effort and high self-esteem while stressing the importance of mothers and fathers taking time out of their busy schedules to participate in their children's lives. Ages 6-9. (Mar.)