Happy Birthday to You, You Belong in a Zoo

Gilbert and Friends

by Diane deGroat

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)

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Animals

Library Binding

First published August 1, 1999

Reviews

[Kaitlyn Branch · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, but in the aspect of children it covers bullying which is a real world issue dealt with today, but I feel like the bully was never adressed. Otherwise, I liked the book.

[Red · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gilbert the possum tries to be mean, but finds he hasn't the stomach to be mean, by accident he ends up not being a jerk to Lewis and maybe they can mend their non-existent friendship. Lewis is mean, but not the worst person, kids will be inherently selfish and cruel, but things will work out in the end.

There is no real big conflict that doesn't get fixed, and for a short kid's book, that's just fine.

[Donna Mork · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story about being forced to invite someone to a birthday party and the ramifications.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute book with a great lesson. My son loved the pictures and even made up stories about the little critters.

[Mel Beags · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good word count

[Bridget Neace · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Shelby Church · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read Happy Birthday to You, You Belong in a Zoo, by Diane deGroat. It is a picture book with easy sentences, but more paragraph-style writing. The illustrations are precious, and combine with the words to create a great book. The character development of Gilbert is important for young children to see, especially at a young age when bullying is prevalent.

I liked this book, especially with the subtle anti-bullying message. Although Gilbert is bullied by Lewis up until Lewis' birthday party, Gilbert doesn't act rudely to Lewis except how he doesn't want to get him a nice birthday gift. However, the book takes a turn for the better at the end.

I would use this book at the beginning of the year to establish an anti-bullying policy within my classroom, and also because it is precious. This book can be a read aloud for ages early elementary through middle school.

[Alyssa Durant · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just finished reading Happy Birthday to you, You Belong in a Zoo by Diane deGroat. The pictures are cute, and the small paragraphs are easy for elementary age students to read. I think everyone has probably gotten a pity invite to a birthday party in elementary school, and I thought the story line was probably really relatable for a lot of kids because my pity invites were from the girl who "bullied" me and I never wanted to go.
I think that this would be a really good book to read when talking about doing what is right even when you don't want to. Even though Gilbert didn't choose to do what was right, he regretted not doing the right things and was very happy that his mother eventually did it for him. We won't always have our moms there to make those decisions for us, so this book could be a really good lesson.

[Tammie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honesty
Generosity
Perk -1

[Dana Pressnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to get along with other kids who you don't like or don't like you. Birthday party. And a mom's wisdom. Precious illustrations.

[Adams' Country Retreat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes Mother knows best! Cute story!