ALA Booklist (Fri Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2003)

Those adorable twins--anthropomorphized Welsh terriers Morgan and Moffat--deftly handle a common crisis of early childhood when a mean new kid comes to class. The children feel rebuffed and hurt when Carole Anne pushes them, pulls hair ribbons, and throws Morgie's Welcome card on the floor. Then Morgie finds Carole Anne crying one Saturday. He discovers that she has changed schools frequently, and she admits taking her hostility out on her classmates. Morgie, Moffie, and their classmates hear Carole Anne out, and things are rosy again. When Carole Anne offers her mea culpa, the message becomes a little heavy-handed, but the twins, their adopted little brother, Marcos, and their parents form a reassuring family unit, and dePaola's signature summer colors and vivid figures support the tale.

Horn Book (Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 CST 2004)

When the teacher announces the arrival of a new student, twin dogs Morgie and Moffi want to make her feel welcome. But Carole Anne is mean and unpleasant. When Morgie spends time alone with her, he finds out she was afraid no one would like her, explaining "I called you names before you could call me names." This predictable, moralistic tale is buoyed by dePaola's characteristic illustrations.

Kirkus Reviews

<p>A scowling, aggressive new classmate quickly wears out her welcome in this third episode featuring the Barker twins. Smiles greeting Carole Anne's arrival turn to frowns as she pushes her way to the head of the recess line, scornfully rejects Morgie Barker's handmade Welcome Card, pulls out the bows in Maria's hair, and exhibits other antisocial behavior. That weekend, however, Morgie breaks the ice when he finds Carole Anne in tears, and invites her along on a rock-hunting expedition; on Monday, she apologizes to the class, saying that it's her second new school in a year. That admission may raise more questions from young readers than it answers, but dePaola's all-canine cast is as engagingly expressive as ever, and reflective children, at least, will applaud Morgie's willingness to extend the paw of friendship, even after it's been (figuratively) bitten. (Picture book. 5-7)</p>

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

The Barker Twins are back in Tomie dePaola's Trouble in the Barkers' Class. Morgie and Moffie and their classmates welcome new student Carole Anne, until it turns out she's mean to everyone-especially Morgie. The children try cutting Carole Anne out of their fun until Morgie discovers she's just lonely and scared and finds a way to be her friend.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2-When Ms. Shepherd announces that a new girl is coming to school the next day, twin pups Morgie and Moffie and the other students immediately begin to plan a swirl of welcoming activities. When Carole Anne arrives, she will not smile, is unreceptive to friendly gestures, and shows no respect for her classmates. Disappointed and frustrated, the children devise a plan to combat this bully. One day when Morgie finds her alone, he discovers the reason for her hostility. This is an excellent book to teach conflict resolution, dealing with bullies, and making friends. DePaola successfully captures the world of primary school with his colorful, yet soft acrylic paintings on handmade watercolor paper. He also effectively conveys the emotions of a new student on her first day. Pair this title with Meet the Barkers (Putnam, 2001).-Tracy Bell, Durham Public Schools, NC Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.