Last One in Is a Rotten Egg! (Gilbert the Opossum)

Having to be the best at everything, Cousin Wally turns the neighborhood Easter egg hunt into a battle ground, but when Gilbert steps in and teaches him an important lesson in sharing, Cousin Wally is more than happy to adjust his competitive ways in order to make it a good day for everyone in town.

PreSchool-Grade 2—In this 10th book about Gilbert, the young opossum and his sister are excited about their cousin's visit. They soon realize, however, that having Wally around isn't as much fun as they had imagined. He is so competitive that he turns everything into a contest. "Last one in is a rotten egg" is his favorite phrase, which he yells while running to beat the others at whatever activity is taking place, even getting to the lunch table first. The children attend an Easter egg hunt and Wally fills his basket quickly while Gilbert takes the time to help his little sister search for eggs. Lola spots the golden egg, which signifies a prize, but neither she nor Gilbert can reach it high in a tree. Wally takes it from its perch but instead of giving it to Lola, keeps it for himself. In the end, Lola wins her prize, Wally learns to share, and the three become friends. Pastel, cartoon-style watercolor illustrations depict the activities while revealing the small town's populace made up of raccoons, porcupines, rabbits, cats, and dogs. Children will relate to the story, which imparts a gentle lesson on how to be a friend.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI
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Gilbert the opossum boy is excited because his cousin Wally is arriving in time for the Easter egg hunt. But Wally has changed since Gilbert saw him last. He's bigger and more competitive, and he is always informing people they're going to be a rotten egg. At the park's egg hunt, Wally gathers eggs faster than anyone else and is on target to win one of the prizes. Then Lola spies the golden egg that will win another prize. Wally helps her get it down from the tree--only to put it in his own basket! Unbeknownst to Wally, as he hurries down the hill, he has been dropping his eggs, which Gilbert and Lola have picked up. The transition to the moment when Lola gets the prize forher golden egg is rusty, but Gilbert and Wally's sharing of the other prize is a nice moment. Everything is familiar here, and the art is a little static, but deGroat's many fans will welcome another book about Gilbert. Ilene Cooper
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