We Gather Together...Now Please Get Lost! - Hardcover

DeGroat, Diane

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1587170957 ISBN 13: 9781587170959

Publisher: Chronicle Books, 2001

Synopsis

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.

About this title

About the Author

Diane DeGroat has illustrated nearly 100 books for children. She is also the author-illustrator of the popular stories about Gilbert the opossum, including Happy Birthday to You, You Belong in a Zoo and Jingle Bells, Homework Smells. She lives in Amherst, Massachusetts.

Reviews

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

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Chronicle Books
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1587170957
• ISBN 13: 9781587170959
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32