Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly
Following teacher's orders, Gilbert, a fuzzy-looking woodland creature, inscribes Valentines for his classmates, devising "nice" rhymes for each. But his bonhomie disappears when he comes to Lewis, who tweaked Gilbert's nose, and Margaret, who teased him about his glasses. As the clever, kid-obliging title attests, Gilbert does not make nice on their cards; to escape the consequences, he signs Margaret's name to Lewis's Valentine and vice versa. Of course, when neither receives a card signed with Gilbert's name, the identity of the prankster is clear. In a predictable resolution to this sweet if minor tale, Gilbert does the right thing and composes friendly Valentines to the two, who apologize for having hurt his feelings. The winning touch here is de Groat's (Annie Pitts, Swamp Monster) characteristically buoyant watercolor art, which features an amiable crew of assorted animals, many festively clad in Valentine's Day-appropriate reds and pinks. Ages 5-up. (Feb.)
School Library Journal
K-Gr 2Gilbert writes not-so-nice Valentine poems for two rude classmates and signs their names to the cards. Since Margaret and Lewis both receive two Valentines from each otherone good and one badand none from Gilbert, his ploy is discovered and all the students ostracize him. The dilemma is resolved when all three apologize and Gilbert writes them new poems and shares his homemade cookies. Human foibles, humorously yet accurately revealed, are given practical, realistic, nondidactic solutions. DeGroat's delightful anthropomorphic critters are usually shown from readers' point of view, which draws them into the action. But occasionally the artist places Gilbert in a bird's-eye, omniscient view. Large, two-page watercolor spreads and a simple but smooth third-person narrative make this book a good choice for group sharing.Claudia Cooper, Ft. Stockton Independent School District, TX
From the Publisher
"Human foibles, humorously yet accurately revealed, are given practical, realistic, nondidactic solutions." — School Library Journal
"The annual classroom exchange of valentines is the backdrop for this engaging story about retaliation. These hazardous waters of handing out valentines are negotiated by a cast of animals whose emotional toils will closely mirror readers' own. DeGroat pens a sympathetic look at the small hurts in life and the importance of second chances." — Kirkus Reviews
"The hostility is finally turned around with good humor and with lots of nonsense and forgiveness. Kids will enjoy all the rhymes, and they'll want to make up their own playful parodies both mushy and mean." — Booklist
"de Groat's characteristically buoyant watercolor art features an amiable crew of assorted animals, many festively clad in Valentine's Day-appropriate reds and pinks." — Publishers Weekly
Booklist
"The hostility is finally turned around with good humor and with lots of nonsense and forgiveness. Kids will enjoy all the rhymes, and they'll want to make up their own playful parodies both mushy and mean."
Booklist
"The hostility is finally turned around with good humor and with lots of nonsense and forgiveness. Kids will enjoy all the rhymes, and they'll want to make up their own playful parodies both mushy and mean."
APRIL 2011 - AudioFile
Diane de Groat packs much about human nature, grudges, and the power of forgiveness into this small book. Excellent narrations by Jason Harris and Peter Rose amplify her messages. Gilbert, a possum-like creature, decides to write mean valentines to kids who’ve been unkind to him; understandably, his classmates are not amused. Young children will enjoy listening and reading along to this picture book’s lively watercolor illustrations of Gilbert and his critter classmates. The narration is excellent in pacing and tone, and Gilbert’s slightly nerdy voice is especially apt as he shares the poems he’s created and received. Light musical touches and occasional auditory illustrations (smacking kissing sounds for an envelope covered in X’s) enhance both the silly and more serious moments in this fun production. J.C.G. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine
