Mary is a shy girl who never speaks up or stands up for herself. She is like for most of the story until the end when she finally speaks up for herself. I think this sia good message to send to kids but this book didn't handle the situation well in my opinion. The city bus that Mary and her mom take everywhere is a school bus with upholstered seats (which doesn't exist if I'm correct). There was persepctive issues especially in the first spread that took me out of the story. A nice message that begs for a better book in my opinion. I'd like to respond to many of the reviewers here saying that this book portrays a gender stereotype of a timid little girl. I think you missed the point of the book. The gender of the character is somewhat irrelevant. The storyline is not endorsing or recommending that children (or little girls) SHOULD be overly polite or self-effacing. This is a story of a particular person who happens to be like that by nature (or by nurture, also irrelevant to the point of the book). The message the book is sending is that it is important to speak up for yourself. It's a lesson in being assertive, and is targeted especially to those children who may find it difficult to do so. It's a quiet and subtle but well-written book with an important message.
terrible. didn't like it. boring. didn't like the way it portrays little girls.
—dee
Great book, especially for the big-hearted, soft spoken child!
—nurul
I think I have an affinity for Mary Wrightly.
—gaupuppy
