Can You Guess Where We're Going?

by Elvira Woodruff, Cynthia Fisher (Illustrator)

As his grandfather gives him hints about all the exciting things they will see, Jack, who loves spending the day with Gramps, tries to guess where they are going.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1998

About the author

Elvira Woodruff is an American children's author known for blending fantasy and history in her stories. Born in Somerville, New Jersey, she studied English literature at Adelphi and Boston University. Before becoming a writer, she worked a variety of jobs and later found inspiration while working as a librarian in Easton, Pennsylvania. Woodruff has published numerous children's books, including George Washington's Socks, The Memory Coat, and Dear Levi. Her work has been praised for its engaging storytelling and historical depth. Throughout her career, she has created imaginative, heartfelt stories that continue to captivate young readers.

Reviews

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Can You Guess Where We're Going," was an entertaining book. It starts off with a grandpa and his grandson going on a road trip. As they make there way on the road trip the son has to guess where they are going to. There is not a whole lot of character or plot development but it is a perfect picture book for younger kids. I loved the pictures and thought that the adventures the grandson guessed made the book really fun. I enjoyed how they made reading seem like an adventure. This book will entice other kids to pick up an exciting book and read.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about all the adventure Jack and his Grampa can find in books! A great read-aloud for an elementary school storytime.

[Sadie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Can You Guess Where We're Going?" is a book about a grandson and his grandfather going on a trip. At first glance, the book doesn't seem all that appealing. The title didn't grab my attention, however the front cover illustration peaked my interest a bit (it's a dragon on top of the grandfather's car). As I read more than the title and viewed more than the cover illustration, I became very involved in the book! Gramps, as he is called in the book, takes Jack, his grandson, to a world filled with wild animals, sea creatures, knights, castles, and so much more! Along the ride, Gramps gives specific, yet interestingly vague, hints about what awaits at the end of their journey. Each hint offers many possible endings, some of which Jack uses as a guess. When I thought I had discovered the ending before it came, Gramps threw out a new hint with many new possibilities! At the end, I couldn't believe I had never thought of where they wound up! Now, as an adult reading a children's book, I don't know what that says about me. Either I am as literal as Jack, or Elvira Woodruff and Cynthia Fisher, the illustrator, are just that good. Can you guess where they're going? Read and find out!

[Tiara Patterson]

With this book, the grandfather is giving outrages hints to his grandson for him to guess where they will end their adventure for the day. He told his grandson that there will be monkeys, fish, mountains, knight in shining armor, and fresh cookies to give him hints to where they were going. To the little boy, these hints did not have any connections or make any sense but still continues to guess during the anticipating car trip. Throughout the book, the students will also be guessing alongside with the boy what this magical place could be, even with the pictures giving a non-subtle clue to it but the clues only work if you know to look for them. In the end, the grandfather takes his grandson to the library where all these promises actually do come true. I liked the ending of the book because it tells the students that books can actually take you to all kinds of places if you just open and read them.

[Joshua · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book Starts off with Jack a young boy with a big sense of curiosity, and his grandpa heading off on an adventure. Grandpa takes Jack on a road trip to where Jack does not know the location. Throughout the book, Jack tries to guess to where grandpa is taking him, while Grandpa keeps giving Jack clues. This book is colorful and full of imagery on every page. As Jack the main character tries to guess where he is going, the reader too is stumped on to where their destination will lead to. The reading is moderate and the illustrations are unique. I enjoyed this book and would recommend this book to a young reader who would like a bit of challenge.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This certainly isn't what I am used to from Elvira Woodruff, but I read her historical fiction more often. As a librarian, I gotta love this, and as a teacher, I know could use it in a lesson. How have I never heard of this before? Nicely done!

[Tlibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to introduce kids to the library. The guessing game is fun. The kids have a hard time figuring out where Gramps is taking Jack but have fun on the way.