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45th out of 63 books
—
23 voters
Disappearing Desmond
by
Anna Alter (Goodreads Author)
Desmond likes to disappear, blend into the background, and hide in the cleverest of places. But when a new student named Gloria arrives at his school, Desmond finds himself noticed for the first time. Can Gloria help Desmond get used to the life in the spotlight?
Anna Alter’s charming story is an original and reassuring take on overcoming shyness....more
Anna Alter’s charming story is an original and reassuring take on overcoming shyness....more
Hardcover, 40 pages
Published
August 24th 2010
by Knopf Books for Young Readers
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Desmond and his entire family didn’t like to be the center of attention. He’d much rather disappear and be ignored. Sometimes even his teacher could not find him! But things changed when Gloria came to his school. Gloria liked to be the center of attention. After a bit, something strange happened and Gloria said hello to Desmond even though he was hiding. No one had ever seen him when he was hiding before. And it just kept happening, Gloria kept on talking to him until one day they read together...more
Disappearing Desmond by Anna Alter is about a painfully shy cat who does everything he can to make himself invisible at school. Desmond accomplishes his disappearances through camouflage clothing and carefully placed props. He blends into the wallpaper during reading time and with the plants during recess.
All that changes, though, when Gloria shows up. Gloria is an outgoing, talkative child who knows who she likes. She doesn't seem to notice Desmond's hiding as a sign of shyness. Can her enthusi...more
All that changes, though, when Gloria shows up. Gloria is an outgoing, talkative child who knows who she likes. She doesn't seem to notice Desmond's hiding as a sign of shyness. Can her enthusi...more
What does it feel like to melt into the background? Desmond wants to do just that until a sassy new classmate drags him into the spotlight. He, in turn, returns the favor to a new friend. When at the end, all are depicted playing together, the reader is reminded that there are always others on the periphery just waiting for a good friend to invite them in.
A cute picture-book that wallflowers can identify with. Desmond likes to blend in and not get noticed. He's pretty happy with it, since nobody does notice him. Until Gloria comes along. She likes to be noticed. Soon Desmond cannot remember why he was blending in the first place. A great read for those shy guys in your lives!
2nd & 3rd Grade Read-Aloud: GREAT book with lots to discuss: predictions, changes in character, friendship, how to be kind and a good friend. This is a great book to read for Rachel's Challenge because it shows how kindness can start a chain reaction.
I didn't love the illustrations, but the message made me remember my own awkward childhood. Any book that can make a now attractive, confident, outgoing, talented, definitely-not-insecure man feel awkward deserves at least three stars.
Wonderful story about hiding in the background vs playing with your friends. Best for one-on-one reading. The illustrations are great, but many are not accompanied by words which would make group sharing more difficult.
This is a neat book because it reflects how the author felt when she was younger. It talks about being a fly on the wall until one day the kid gets noticed and how he keeps it going. Great self-esteem book.
Desmond likes blending in and not being noticed until Gloria notices. An endearing, entertaining story about being a wallflower and overcoming shyness. A great read alound choice.
Every time I thought the book was ready to finish, it kept going. And kept getting cuter. I wish author Anna Alter published more often--I love all of her books.
lyle and i read this for his book club. so good, especially for us shy kids :) the artwork was colorful and fun as well.
Lovely expressive illustrations accompany this simple story about friendship, being noticed and getting over shyness.
A great new story about breaking out of your shell and making new friends with perfectly lovely illustrations.
An amazing picture book that really gets at the heart of what it's like to feel shy and have to break out of your shell, and how important friends are in helping you to do that!
Desmond likes to disappear into the background. One day, someone finds him.
This one is great because there are lots of things to look for.
A nice book about being shy and the difference a friend can make.
So very cute! Would be great to use with kids who are very shy.
Do our students try to disappear? What draws them out?
Nov 29, 2010
Jerry0921
added it
very fantasty one, i ilke it
Rm 213
fun book.
Yep. I agree with the other positive reviews. This is a nice one to use for the story as well as for the discussion potential.
Desmond spends most of his life being "invisible" but one day someone changes all of that. What will Desmond do? How will he deal with it?
Lovely story of finding yourself.
Lovely story of finding yourself.
Desmond is so skilled at disappearing that sometimes even his teacher cannot find him but when he meets Gloria, a new student at school, his attitude slowly changes. www.hcpl.net
Works well for storytime
Works well for storytime
Jun 08, 2013
Jen
marked it as to-read
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Hello!
Thanks for visiting me on goodreads.
Please visit my web site or blog to learn more about my work!
Cheers,
Anna
More about Anna Alter...
Thanks for visiting me on goodreads.
Please visit my web site or blog to learn more about my work!
Cheers,
Anna
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