Gullible Gus - Hardcover

Schur, Maxine

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0618927107 ISBN 13: 9780618927104

Publisher: Clarion Books, 2009

Synopsis

Cowboy Gus is cured of a bad case of gullibility by listening to three tall tales. Poor Cowboy Gus! He believes everything the other cowboys tell him, so he gets teased all the time. To cure his terrible case of gullibility, Gus visits Fibrock, a town full of liars. There he encounters Hokum Malarkey, who tells him three outrageous stories-while relieving him of all his money. But Gus doesn't mind. If he can honestly say the words 'I don't believe it,' he'll be cured forever. With extravagant humor and lively language, Maxine Schur presents three tall tales within a frame story, each one just right for the chapter-book audience. Andrew Glass's hilarious illustrations perfectly depict the hapless hero and the other larger-than-life characters that populate these wild and woolly adventures.

About this title

About the Author:

Andrew Glass has written several books for children and has illustrated many. He lives in New York City with his wife.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 2–5—Seeking a cure for his acute gullibility, Gus the Cowboy follows his doctor's orders and embarks on a journey to Fibrock, where he meets up with Hokum Malarkey, the biggest liar in the universe. Mr. Malarkey takes Gus's money and relates three tall tales to see if he can detect a lie. The first tale involves Dr. Ducknoise, a flimflam man who sells the townsfolk of Flapjack some Smart Syrup. No one listens to the instructions to take only one drop a night. Trying to outsmart one another, the townsfolk finish off a year's supply of Smart Syrup in just three days. Now everyone is too smart for their own good and nothing gets done anymore. It takes Dumb Drops, again sold by Dr. Ducknoise, and a mule to set the town straight. The two other tales involve unpleasant and irritable Cantankerous Clem and a confused young woman named Backwards Hannah. The stories are filled with exaggeration and alliteration. A Western twang is used to create mood. Readers will laugh out loud and share passages with friends. Teachers might want to use the stories as part of a writing exercise for a tall-tale unit or reader's theater presentation. Glass's bright oil crayon cartoons fit the exaggerated storytelling style to a tee. This appealing chapter book for competent readers will have kids laughing while learning about the genre.—Nancy Baumann, Indian Paintbrush Elementary, Laramie, WY
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About this edition

• Publisher: Clarion Books
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0618927107
• ISBN 13: 9780618927104
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 48
• Illustrator: Glass Andrew