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Cranberryport
Cranberry Valentine
Maggie, her grandmother, and the sewing circle make Cranberryport a brighter place for Mr. Whiskers when they send him secret valentines.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 30, 1986
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113 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
February 10, 2020
I was charmed by this story. It’s no secret that I love Cranberryport books and I think this is the last major holiday I had left to read in the series. This is not the usual Valentine story. This had humor, mystery and outrage. haha. It’s not all pink hearts and love fest. The Devlin’s just have something special in their stories, in my opinion. There is also a recipe at the end for Cranberry Upside down cake.
Mr. Whiskers has never gotten a Valentine. Maggie decides to change that. This was in the day, I suppose, when you made lacy valentines to send to people. The next day he gets a lacy valentine in the mail smellin’ all nice and he is outraged. He calls it revolting. (It makes me laugh). Maggie tells him she thinks a woman in a green coat sent it. Mr. Whiskers is so mad. At the store, he meets the women in green and she just wants him to rebuild her chimney. He’s so relieved that he skips all the way to Maggies house with a box of chocolates.
The kids and I were laughing our heads off seeing Mr. Whiskers skip. It was marvelous. It tickled all of us. He gets to the house and we learn who sent the cards.
What a fun story. I loved it. The nephew had fun reading this with me too. He loved seeing Mr. Whiskers skip and his reaction to the valentines was funny as well. Everything was out of the ordinary for a valentine story. He gave this 4 stars. The niece thought it was funny in places and weird in others. She read this with us after I used nostalgia against her. She gave this 3 stars.
In the jacket bio, we learn that Wende and Harry had 7 children. Good night, that would have been one busy household. I only wish there were more books to read in this series.
Mr. Whiskers has never gotten a Valentine. Maggie decides to change that. This was in the day, I suppose, when you made lacy valentines to send to people. The next day he gets a lacy valentine in the mail smellin’ all nice and he is outraged. He calls it revolting. (It makes me laugh). Maggie tells him she thinks a woman in a green coat sent it. Mr. Whiskers is so mad. At the store, he meets the women in green and she just wants him to rebuild her chimney. He’s so relieved that he skips all the way to Maggies house with a box of chocolates.
The kids and I were laughing our heads off seeing Mr. Whiskers skip. It was marvelous. It tickled all of us. He gets to the house and we learn who sent the cards.
What a fun story. I loved it. The nephew had fun reading this with me too. He loved seeing Mr. Whiskers skip and his reaction to the valentines was funny as well. Everything was out of the ordinary for a valentine story. He gave this 4 stars. The niece thought it was funny in places and weird in others. She read this with us after I used nostalgia against her. She gave this 3 stars.
In the jacket bio, we learn that Wende and Harry had 7 children. Good night, that would have been one busy household. I only wish there were more books to read in this series.
February 8, 2011
This is my second Cranberry port book, having read and loved Cranberry Thanksgiving. This Valentine's Day version is equally charming. I find them so nostalgic and sweet (written mid-1980s but harkening back to an earlier era). This one has a fun little mystery as Mr. Whiskers (pictured on the cover) gets Valentines for the first time in his life--and begins to panic over who might be falling for him! Mr. Whiskers is such a fun character, sweet deep down but blustery on the outside--and with the illustrations he sure brings to mind Hagrid, from Harry Potter :-) I'm lucky my library has several more books in the "Cranberry" series and intend to read them all.
August 2, 2021
it was pretty good, but mr whiskers pissed me off 🙄
February 9, 2020
The story is just sort of dumb with a reliance on silly misunderstandings, but the heavily cross-hatched art is rather fascinating.
February 5, 2022
Salty old sea captain Mr. Whiskers gets a shock when, after commenting to his friends Maggie and her grandmother that he had never received a Valentine, he begins to be inundated with the sweet little missives. Embarrassed at the attention, he becomes alarmed when he also hears that a mysterious lady in green is asking all over town for him. Is Mr. Whiskers being "hunted?" Who is his secret admirer...?
Originally published in 1986, Cranberry Valentine is the fifth title in Wende and Harry Devlin's series of delightful holiday picture-books set in a rural New England town. Despite that, it is only the second of the books I have read, following upon Cranberry Thanksgiving . I'm glad I was able to track it down, as I found it absolutely charming! Mr. Whiskers' chagrin is so sweet, the sense of warmth and community friendship so heartwarming, and the story overall so amusing, that I read the entire thing with pleasure. The accompanying watercolor illustrations capture the humor and heart of the tale perfectly. I'm happy to have read a second in this wonderful collection, and hope to track down more over time! Recommended to anyone looking for wonderful, heartwarming, old-fashioned Valentine's Day stories for the picture-book set.
Originally published in 1986, Cranberry Valentine is the fifth title in Wende and Harry Devlin's series of delightful holiday picture-books set in a rural New England town. Despite that, it is only the second of the books I have read, following upon Cranberry Thanksgiving . I'm glad I was able to track it down, as I found it absolutely charming! Mr. Whiskers' chagrin is so sweet, the sense of warmth and community friendship so heartwarming, and the story overall so amusing, that I read the entire thing with pleasure. The accompanying watercolor illustrations capture the humor and heart of the tale perfectly. I'm happy to have read a second in this wonderful collection, and hope to track down more over time! Recommended to anyone looking for wonderful, heartwarming, old-fashioned Valentine's Day stories for the picture-book set.
February 16, 2011
This is a cute story about an old sea fairer who had never received any Valentine's. So, when he suddenly starts getting loads and loads one Feb. 14th, he starts to get a little panicky.
Very endearing illustrations add a lot to this sweet story about, if not so much romantic love, then doing something nice for a friend.
Very endearing illustrations add a lot to this sweet story about, if not so much romantic love, then doing something nice for a friend.
February 15, 2021
This was cute. Probably not my favorite of the three we’ve read so far, but sweet. I do love the illustrations. The story was cute. Mr Whiskers is funny.
Read for the first time in the year:
February 14, 2021
Read for the first time in the year:
February 14, 2021
February 7, 2020
This book was not as good as the first one I read, Cranberry Thanksgiving. The illustrations are still great with incredible detailed line-work, but the story is boring and pointless. What little mystery the book has is destroyed by the spoiler book description, but I didn't read that description until after reading the book and the story still didn't hold my interest.
February 5, 2011
This is a fun story about Valentine's Day, starring the lovable characters in the Cranberryport series by Wende Devlin and Harry Devlin.
This series is very charming and features a cantankerous character named Mr. Whiskers who is hilarious. We've read a few books in this series and as most of the books center around a season or holiday, I will try to borrow more of them throughout the year, as fitting to the occasion.
The illustrations are old fashioned and have a nice New England theme. We enjoyed listening to this book narrated on cassette tape as we followed along with the story.
This series is very charming and features a cantankerous character named Mr. Whiskers who is hilarious. We've read a few books in this series and as most of the books center around a season or holiday, I will try to borrow more of them throughout the year, as fitting to the occasion.
The illustrations are old fashioned and have a nice New England theme. We enjoyed listening to this book narrated on cassette tape as we followed along with the story.
August 17, 2013
I absolutely loved the Cranberryport series as a kid. The adventures of the hapless Mr Whiskers were sure to be funny, Maggie was relatable, and Grandmother was so nice and comforting. The New England cranberry bog setting was charming. Plus Grandmother and Maggie made really good food. I always loved the recipes included in the books, and now as I'm older, I STILL like the recipes. I think I might have to try the Cranberry Upside Down Cake recipe in here sometime soon.
The story itself was classic. Mr Whiskers admits to Grandmother and Maggie that he's never got a Valentine. Then he starts getting Valentines from an unknown admirer, and he starts to worry. Who is the lady in the green coat? These stories are a wonderful, lighthearted look into a charming, old fashioned way of life, sure to make kids giggle. and want to cook.
The story itself was classic. Mr Whiskers admits to Grandmother and Maggie that he's never got a Valentine. Then he starts getting Valentines from an unknown admirer, and he starts to worry. Who is the lady in the green coat? These stories are a wonderful, lighthearted look into a charming, old fashioned way of life, sure to make kids giggle. and want to cook.
October 27, 2022
Mr. Whiskers receives a Valentine and is aghast at the thought! Then he receives another. And another! What is going on?
I guess even the crustiest sorts can crumble. Ha, ha!
Ages: 4 - 8
Cleanliness: nothing to note.
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I guess even the crustiest sorts can crumble. Ha, ha!
Ages: 4 - 8
Cleanliness: nothing to note.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
August 27, 2016
I picked this book to read because I love Valentine's Day and I thought it looked like a cute book and indeed it was! Mr. Whiskers had never received any kid of Valentine in his life until this Valentine's Day. Mr. whiskers starts receiving all sorts of Valentines that he has no idea who they are from! This story is very engaging and always keeps you on your toes! This would be a great story to read to children's around or on Valentine's Day!
January 28, 2018
Mr Whiskers gets a Valentine from a secret admirer and tries to figure out who it's from and thinks it's from a woman he knows. But it's actually from a group of his friends and he pretends that he knew it was them all along.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2008
Who is sending those love notes?? Mr whiskers has a secret admire.
September 4, 2008
Does Mr. Whiskers have a secret admirer?
February 19, 2010
No where near as charming as Cranberry Thanksgiving-a book I have long loved...
March 27, 2011
Cute! Mr. Whiskers is getting sentimental, perfumed valentines from a secret admirer, and he isn't so sure he wants someone after him.
February 21, 2012
I really liked it. It should have 6 stars.
January 17, 2014
"Suffering Codfish." Love Mr. Whiskers. Another cute, quirky read. The recipe in this book is for a Cranberry Upside-Down Cake. Sounds good.
September 6, 2015
A cute book about making sure you're fair during the Holidays.
February 12, 2016
Gruff but lovable Mr. Whiskers is perturbed when, for the first time ever, he begins receiving Valentines. Sheesh! What's a fellow to do but run and hide.
August 14, 2016
When crusty Mr. Whiskers starts receiving valentines; he worries some lady may be out to get him
February 6, 2018
A cute look into world of Maggie, grandmother and Mr. Whiskers at Valentine’s.
February 14, 2024
Another set of cute little hijinks from our friends in Cranberryport. Although I must say, this little mystery is much less sinister than those from Cranberry Thanksgiving or Cranberry Christmas! No ill will or thieving here, just Mr. Whiskers stressing out about the idea that he might have a secret admirer, or two, or three!
A fun reminder that love comes in many forms and Valentine's Day isn't only for sweethearts!
Full of the usual Cranberry charm, and with another recipe, too! This one is for Cranberry Upside-Down Cake.
A fun reminder that love comes in many forms and Valentine's Day isn't only for sweethearts!
Full of the usual Cranberry charm, and with another recipe, too! This one is for Cranberry Upside-Down Cake.
March 21, 2025
I love a good picture book. Love! Them! Somehow I’d missed this one!
I read it three times before returning it, and hugged it as I put it into the dropbox. The story was sweet; the illustrations could not be more adorable; the characters were wholesome and taught a little something about being human. I’ll be reading more Cranberryport books!
I read it three times before returning it, and hugged it as I put it into the dropbox. The story was sweet; the illustrations could not be more adorable; the characters were wholesome and taught a little something about being human. I’ll be reading more Cranberryport books!
February 14, 2020
When Mr. Whisker's admits that he's never received a Valentine's Day card, he soon starts receiving them, and it his him all in haze of who might be sending them. Who is the lady in the green coat who has been looking for him all all over town? Could she be Mr. Whisker's secret admirer?
February 23, 2023
This was a really cute little book with a simple story line, a touch of mystery, fun characters and an endearing message of friendship & kindness. Bonus: a recipe for cake which I'll be veganizing and making for the grandkids when they visit next time!
February 6, 2025
I liked this one! Poor Mr. Whiskers appears to have a secret admirer and it's fun to see his reactions (worry, embarrassment, relief, surprise, happiness, contentment) as he tries to figure out who it could be.
November 3, 2019
This is a cute little story. Even though the recipe is on the Valentine's book, I am going to try it for Thanksgiving/Christmas.
March 10, 2020
I love the Cranberryport books by Wendy and Harry Devlin! I remember reading them when I was a little girl❤
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews