Happy Birthday to You, You Belong in a Zoo

DeGroat, Diane

ISBN 10: 0688165451 ISBN 13: 9780688165451

Publisher: HarperCollins, 1999

Synopsis

Gilbert can't believe that Lewis, the class meanie, has invited him to his birthday party. Could they be friends after all? When Lewis proves to be just as rotten as ever, Gilbert plots to give Lewis a present he really deserves--but an even bigger surprise is in store for Gilbert! This follow-up to the first two hits starring everyone's favorite opossum addresses issues of friendship and generosity with deGroat's renowned honesty and child-pleasing humor.

00 Children's Choices (IRA/CBC)

About this title

About the Author:

Diane deGroat is the illustrator of more than 120 children's books and the author-illustrator of bestselling books about Gilbert, including Ants in Your Pants, Worms in Your Plants! (Gilbert Goes Green); April Fool! Watch Out at School!; Mother, You're the Best! (But Sister, You're a Pest!); Last One in Is a Rotten Egg!; and the New York Times bestseller Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink. Diane lives in Amherst, Massachusetts.

From School Library Journal:

Kindergarten-Grade 2-Gilbert, the possum in Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink (1996) and Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet (1998, both Morrow), is back with his assorted animal buddies to take a look at birthday parties and hurt feelings. When Gilbert receives a party invitation from bossy Lewis, his reluctance turns to measured acceptance after his mother assures him that Lewis must want to be friends. Then Lewis declares, "My mother made me invite all the boys in the class. That's why you got an invitation." Gilbert's eagerness quickly turns to disappointment, and he doesn't "really want to give Lewis anything except maybe a smelly old shoe." When his mother encourages Gilbert to buy the latest "Martian Spaceship," he decides instead that a frying pan is just what Lewis needs. Gilbert attends the party, has a wonderful time, and realizes that his mean-spirited present is a major mistake. Fortunately, his mother has quietly substituted the spaceship for the frying pan, and Gilbert escapes embarrassment. DeGroat manages to present this rather unlikely scenario with complete sincerity and credibility. Children will sympathize with the child's frustration and sigh along in relief when he is rescued by his mother's wisdom. Appealingly bright watercolor illustrations add just the right amount of charm and detail.
Alicia Eames, New York City Public Schools
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0688165451
• ISBN 13: 9780688165451
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: DeGroat Diane