School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 1Shades of the Stupids! Boris, Morris, Doris, and Norris are four friends who are known as the Know-Nothings. They are determined to prepare something to eat but can't figure out how to do it. The noodles are too hard, the bananas have on strange coats, and fries obviously are only to be found in France. Finally, they decide to head there. So, after arming themselves with a French horn, French toast, etc., they set out on an adventure that culminates at a cart selling French fries. Quirky and very silly, the story is simple, easy to read, and adorned with brightly colored cartoons of funny, appealing characters.Jan Shepherd Ross, Dixie Elementary Magnet School, Lexington, KY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Boris, Morris, Doris, and Norris are good friends, better known as the Know-Nothings. In four short chapters, the Know-Nothings' silly food-finding adventures convince the reader of the appropriateness of their nickname. Humorous illustrations complement the easy-to-read text. From HORN BOOK 1995, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
The Stupids have nothing on housemates Boris, Morris, Doris, and Norris, an affectionate quartet as long on silly ideas as they are short of attention spans. Hunger gnaws, but they can't quite get food to the table; noodles straight out of the box are too hard to eat, and even stomping on them doesn't make them any softer. Banana skins taste terrible, but no one wants to strip poor bananas. At last they decide to go out for french fries. Where? To France, of course, which looks just like their own town. Alley (Edward Is Only a Fish, 1994, etc.) captures the innocence of the Know-Nothings perfectly, as they sit around the table puzzling over empty soup bowls, race about waving their stubby arms enthusiastically, and march home, congratulating each other for being so clever. Steer chuckling readers to the kindred stories in Alvin Schwartz's All of Our Noses Are Here (1985) or to Joanna and Philip Cole's Big Goof and Little Goof (1989). (Picture book. 5-7)
Booklist Review
Gr. 1-2. Alley's lively illustrations for this I Can Read Book will provide the initial attraction, but Spirn's story is just as exuberant. The Know-Nothings--Norris, Morris, Boris, and Doris--who are somewhat reminiscent of James Marshall's Stupids, can't get things right, and their goofy misunderstandings and adventures, played out in four sprightly chapters, will challenge kids' comprehension skills. Basic vocabulary and comedy fetchingly combined. (Reviewed July 1995)0060244992Stephanie Zvirin
