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Summary
Summary
When Mrs. Byrd tells Gilbert's class that they're going to be doing plays about famous people, Gilbert's heart sinks. Plays make him nervous what if he forgets his lines? So when he lands the role of George Washington in a play about the cherry tree, he's determined to do it without any mistakes. But when his most important prop goes missing right before the show, Gilbert loses his cool and looks to blame anyone but himself.
The seventh story about this most beloved opossum is a wise and funny tale of truth and liesand butterflies!that's a perfect tie-in for President's Day, Independence Day, and school units on biography.
Author Notes
Diane deGroat received a BFA in commercial art from the Pratt Institute in 1969. She designed the first basic reading series for Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, before becoming a free-lancer in 1972. She has worked on advertising, editorial, and design projects, but her main focus has been children's book illustration.
She is the illustrator of more than 130 children's books and has worked with Eve Bunting, Lois Lowry, Johanna Hurwitz, and Dr. Ruth. She is also the author-illustrator of the Gilbert and Friends series and the Annie Pitts series. Her picture book Roses are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink was an IRA-CBC Children's Choice and State Children's Book Award winner in Arkansas and North Carolina.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (5)
School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-When Gilbert the opossum takes on the part of George Washington in a play about the cherry tree, he is determined to do a good job. "I cannot tell a lie," he practices continuously, but his mother explains, "Sometimes it's better to say nothing than to hurt people's feelings." And when he borrows the hat from his costume to practice at home and forgets to bring it back, he is quick to blurt out, "I didn't take it!" only to be caught in the lie. DeGroat creatively weaves a story around truth and lies and accompanies it with bright colorful illustrations of the animals that make up Gilbert's class. This entertaining tale provides good discussion material and should be a winner at storytime.-Anne Knickerbocker, formerly at Cedar Brook Elementary School, Houston, TX (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
When Gilbert is cast as George Washington in the school play, he takes the maxim "I cannot tell a lie," a little too far. According to PW, "This sprightly story delivers a clear moral in a gentle voice." Ages 4-8. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Horn Book Review
In the seventh tale about opossum Gilbert, he's selected to be George Washington in a classroom play and fears that he will forget his lines. So that he can practice at home, he borrows a tricornered hat without asking, then accuses know-it-all Philip of taking it when the hat is missing the next day. Gilbert's anxiety will resonate with young readers, and the watercolors flesh out his animal classmates' characters. From HORN BOOK Fall 2003, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Using the story of George Washington and the cherry tree as inspiration, school children realize that the lessons they learn about honesty extend beyond the skit they perform. Paired with the class know-it-all, Phillip, and bossy Margaret, Gilbert decides that instead of playing George Washington or his father, he would prefer to play the part of the cherry tree. Unfortunately, because Phillip and Margaret cannot decide who will get the starring role, they must draw names--and Gilbert draws the part of George. Nervous about messing up his lines, Gilbert practices at every opportunity. At lunch, "I cannot tell a lie. It is peanut butter and jelly!" In math class, "I cannot tell a lie. The answer is twelve." His newfound honesty is tested, though when Gilbert takes home the hat from his costume and leaves it there by mistake. Finding that practicing lines is easier than practicing honesty, Gilbert tries to get out of trouble. Almost allowing another classmate to take the blame for the missing hat, Gilbert is soon caught in his lie and learns a powerful lesson. Amusing illustrations of the menagerie of animals that make up the classroom population accompany this tale with a moral message. Readers who have enjoyed Gilbert's earlier exploits will look forward to more from this remarkably human opossum. (Picture book. 5-8) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
K^-Gr. 2. Okay, so the story of George Washington's cutting down the cherry tree has been proven more hagiography than biography, but this story, in which Gilbert the opossum plays Washington in the familiar incident, is so much fun allowances can be made. Gilbert isn't crazy about his role; he would prefer to be the tree so he doesn't blow any lines. Against the rules, he brings his Washington hat home to better practice his part, but he goes overboard with the story's signature line, as when his mother feeds him a new soup: "I cannot tell a lie. I don't like it." The next day he forgets to bring the hat back, and he implies Philip took it. He then gets a good lesson in the importance of telling the truth (and another in forgiveness, from Philip) that brings the story full circle. Fans of previous books about Gilbert, such as Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet (1998), will appreciate Gilbert's return, and new readers will be drawn right in by the humorous text, the sprightly art with its all-animal cast, and the message that peeks through the fun. --Ilene Cooper
