We Gather Together...Now Please Get Lost! (Gilbert the Opossum) - Softcover

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.

Kindergarten-Grade 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
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