Arthur's Great Big Valentine

by Lillian Hoban, Lillian Hoban (Illustrator)

Overview

"[In] this lovely valentine from Hoban to all beginning readers, a minor squabble with his best friend, Norman, has left Arthur all alone this wintry Valentine's Day [until] Norman's little brother saves the day, and the two best friends are reunited. This title will warm up any snowy, blustery day."—SLJ.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780064441490
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	02/14/1991
Series:	I Can Read Book 2 Series
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	64
Sales rank:	479,978
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.16(d)
Lexile:	410L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Lillian Hoban was the author and illustrator of many favorite I Can Read books, including Joe and Betsy the Dinosaur, Silly Tilly's Thanksgiving, and a series about Arthur the Chimpanzee. She also illustrated many picture books, including the classic stories about Frances.

Lillian Hoban was the author and illustrator of many favorite I Can Read books, including Joe and Betsy the Dinosaur, Silly Tilly's Thanksgiving, and a series about Arthur the Chimpanzee. She also illustrated many picture books, including the classic stories about Frances.

Editorial Reviews

Arthur's best friend Norman ripped his jacket while they played Tarzan; now Norman will not let Arthur belong to his secret club. It's Valentine's Day, and feeling friendless, Arthur refuses to make a valentine for Norman. He turns down an invitation to a party when he learns that Norman will be there, and spends his time writing verse in the snow: ``Valentines are stupid. / Some people get many. / I don't care / if I never get any.'' Then Norman's little brother Tony confides that Norman has made a Valentine for Arthur. That changes everything; Arthur reciprocates by making a huge Valentine in the snow by Norman's house. This is somewhat protracted for such a slim idea, and it's unfortunate that rather than initiating a truce, Arthur's actions are only in response to Norman's. Still, Hoban's drawings are characteristically full of charm, and fans of the Arthur books will find this a heart-warming addition to the series. Ages 5-8. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

K-Gr 2 This is a lovely valentine from Hoban to all beginning readers, many of whom are already fans of Arthur the monkey and his wise little sister, Violet. A minor squabble with his best friend, Norman, has left Arthur all alone this wintry Valentine's Day. Although Violet generously offers to join him, she is distracted by the arrival of her friend, Wilma, who has brought invitations to a big Valentine's party. Arthur declines because Norman will be there. But Norman's little brother, Tony, saves the day, and the two best friends are reunited. Wilma's party is a special celebration of fun and friendship. In this welcome addition to a popular series, Hoban's lively, colorful illustrations add humor and meaning to the text. Arthur's early ``I-don't-care'' attitude to being left out is believable, but not forced. This title will warm up any snowy, blustery day, and it should be particularly useful where holiday titles for this age group are in demand. Martha Rosen, Edgewood School, Scarsdale, N.Y.

School Library Journal