Available:*
Library | Call Number | Status |
|---|---|---|
Searching... Oakdale Library | EASY DEG | Searching... Unknown |
Bound With These Titles
On Order
Summary
Summary
When Gilbert gets stuck with annoying tattletale Philip as his partner for the class trip to Pilgrim Town, he wishes Philip would just get lost! But when Gilbert hides from Philip in the bathroom and can't get out, he's sure he'll have to spend Thanksgiving there all alone. Luckily, faithful Philip comes to the rescue. This memorable holiday episode in the popular series about Gilbert proves to readers that there is always something to be thankful for.
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-Another entry in deGroat's amiable series of school stories featuring a little opossum and his animal pals. This time Gilbert and his classmates are off on a field trip to Pilgrim Town to learn about the daily life of early settlers. Late to school, he gets stuck with Philip as his partner for the day. He's missed breakfast, can't play checkers on the bus with his friend Frank, and dreads spending the day with "tattle-tale" Philip. At the park, a series of minor misadventures winds up with Gilbert locked in a rest room. Luckily, Philip tracks him down and then finds someone to unlock the door. Once reunited with their class, Gilbert gives Philip the credit and takes responsibility for his foolish behavior. Their teacher displays remarkable forbearance. She reassures them that no harm has been done and celebrates their return with pumpkin pies and pilgrim hats. While the action isn't terribly exciting, this low-key story captures the emotions and behavior of early elementary students. DeGroat's watercolor illustrations add charm and humor to the straightforward text. The home and school environments are cozy and familiar, while details of the park scenes offer potential topics for further discussion. Teachers and librarians in search of a fun read-aloud for Thanksgiving (a rare bird indeed) will welcome this title.-Lisa Dennis, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
DeGroat's (Happy Birthday to You, You Belong in a Zoo) fifth book starring Gilbert follows the furry fellow on a school outing to Pilgrim Town. When he gets stuck with Philip the tattletale as his field trip buddy, Gilbert tries to give him the slip. But Philip proves that he can be a true friend when Gilbert gets into a jam. Though the author sprinkles in a few tidbits about pilgrim life, she deemphasizes the historical backdrop to stress instead the themes of friendship and gratitude. Ages 5-8. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Horn Book Review
In this fifth book featuring opossum Gilbert and his friends, Gilbert is partnered with boring Philip the tattletale for their class trip to Pilgrim Town. Gilbert tries his best to lose Philip, but in the end it's Gilbert who needs rescuing. Luckily, Philip is looking out for his field-trip buddy. Readers will recognize familiar situations and emotions in this rather generic story. The cheerful watercolors feature autumnal tones. From HORN BOOK Spring 2002, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
DeGroat brings back Gilbert, the young hedgehog/porcupine, in a story that resounds with getting one's just deserts. Gilbert is so torqued about going on a field trip to Pilgrim Town that he tosses and turns all night. But then he ends up with Philip, the class tattletale, as his partner for the day. Philip is annoying-he has threatened to tell on Gilbert for a minor infraction before they are even off the bus-and Gilbert cuts him absolutely no slack. Particularly when they get the Pilgrim Town, where he does nothing but hide from Philip. Then Gilbert inadvertently gets locked in the bathroom and scary visions of being trapped all night dance through his mind. But Philip saves the day and Gilbert gets sprung. Gilbert decides that Philip just might be an okay buddy, given half a chance. DeGroat's illustrations-handsome watercolors on two-page spreads-serve as ideal scene-setters for this thoughtful reminder that you never know who your friends are, or will be, and so everybody deserves a break-especially the class sad sack. (Picture book. 5-8)
Booklist Review
Ages 4-7. It's Thanksgiving time in this fifth book featuring Gilbert, the hapless porcupine. He's excited about his class visit to Pilgrim Town, but on the day of the field trip, he gets up late and he has to partner with the only kid left--goony Philip. Pilgrim Town is a neat place, but Gilbert spends most of his time trying to ditch Philip, who is a tattletale as well as a nerd ("I'm telling Mrs. Byrd that you called me a tattle-tale" ). Gilbert hides out in the bathroom, only to get locked in. Will the partner he's been avoiding all day try to find him? As in Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink (1996) and the other books about Gilbert and his multispecies class, deGroat captures the ups and downs of school life. Much of the humor in the art comes from the kids; gangly Philip, a goose-boy, dressed like an adult in a trench coat, is a case in point. At the end, Philip does go searching for Gilbert and saves the day. The last scene, in which the classmates dressed as pilgrims enjoy a thankful lunch, will resonate with children. --Ilene Cooper
