We Gather Together...Now Please Get Lost!

Gilbert and Friends

by Diane deGroat

When Gilbert gets stuck with annoying tattletale Philip as his partner for the class trip to Pilgrim Town, he wishes Philip would just get lost! But when Gilbert hides from Philip in the bathroom and can't get out, he's sure he'll have to spend Thanksgiving there all alone. Luckily, faithful Philip comes to the rescue. This memorable holiday episode in the popular series about Gilbert proves to readers that there is always something to be thankful for. Author Diane deGroat has written and illustrated seven stories about Gilbert the opossum, including Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire and Good Night, Sleep Tight, Don't Let the Bedbugs Bite! Her art has appeared in over 100 other books for children. She lives in Amherst, Massachusetts.

Genres: Thanksgiving, Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday, Animals, Friendship, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Celia Buell]

The Gilbert books have always caught my eye at my school's education curriculum library for some reason. I thought we had the Halloween one and I wanted to read that last month but it turns out we didn't, so I read the Thanksgiving one.

These are simple stories with good morals, and with a variety of animals as characters. I don't know if I love the illustrations, though. I can't put my finger on it, but there's something I don't like.

I feel like kids can connect to the conflict well in this one. Everyone has experiences of working with people they don't like, and everyone has had the irrational fear of being trapped in a bathroom when the lock jams, and I appreciate the way kids can make these connections to the story. The characters read the way you may expect an average third-grade class to sound, and I like how realistic this is despite the fantasy animal characters.

I'll need to read more of the Gilbert books before I make a decision on whether I like them or not.

[Dolly]

This is a Thanksgiving-themed story in the Gilbert and Friends series by Diane deGroat. The story is somewhat entertaining, although Gilbert behaves inappropriately throughout the first half of the book.

I liked the Thanksgiving theme and the way in which each child expressed something to be grateful for. I also got nostalgic for my childhood visit to Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, although that location is based on life in a rural New England town in the 1830s. I am guessing that the 'Pilgrim Town' in the story was based on the Plimoth Plantation living museum. Believe it or not, I don't know if I've ever gone there, so perhaps we'll have to take our kids someday on one of our visits to Massachusetts.

The illustrations are colorful and the anthropomorphic animals are cute. I think our girls are growing out of tales like this, but we all enjoyed reading this story together.

[Brandy]

So the main plot line is Gilbert trying to dodge a classmate on the class field trip to “Pilgrim Town.” I feel like if I had a writing conference with a student who wrote a similar story I’d focus on expanding that moment, because the climax lasts maybe 2 page spreads. I would have liked to hear Gilbert’s inner dialogue for some character development. I think it would have been better without the Thanksgiving theme, too. The pilgrim hats could easily be gone and you have a good social emotional read aloud. Unfortunately it glorifies the Pilgrim life with absolutely no acknowledgment of indigenous people so I’ll be unhauling.

[Jessica]

This book was more about being kind to others when you don't get exactly what you want, than Thanksgiving itself. At the end of the book the main character is very grateful he had a diligent partner when he went to Pilgrim Town, even if it wasn't his best friend. Moral: It is easier and nicer if you include others rather than exclude.

Really cute pictures.

[WriteTheVision]

2.5 stars

My students enjoyed it...

[Dana]

A good book to read for Thanksgiving or before a field trip.

[Library Lady Terri]

Good story line about friendship.

Best for 1st and 2nd graders.

[Mel Leigh]

Cute! Simple tale. Nothing too big. But a nice book to make you appreciate the little things.

[Anna]

Cute little book for Thanksgiving

[Jenny]

Gilbert is looking forward to the field trip to Pilgrim Town. But then he wakes up late and everything seems to be going wrong. Worst of all, he has annoying Philip as his partner for the field trip. But when Gilbert tries to hide from Philip in the bathroom, he gets stuck inside. He fears he will have to spend the night there...but Philip searches for Gilbert until he finds him and gets help to get him out. Maybe Philip isn't so bad after all.

I like the illustrations...and that both Gilbert and Philip have a bit of a change of heart in regards to their feelings for one another.

[Heather]

While Gilbert is excited to go on a field trip, he quickly becomes less enthusiastic after arriving to school late and having to pair up with the least popular kid in his class. He learns a lesson of camaraderie the hard way after getting himself stuck in a bathroom!
A good book for children to learn that kindness begins with me.

[Cathy]

When Gilbert gets stuck with annoying tattletale Philip as his partner for the class trip to Pilgrim Town, he wishes Philip would just get lost! But when Gilbert hides from Philip in the bathroom and can't get out, he's sure he'll have to spend Thanksgiving there all alone. Luckily, faithful Philip comes to the rescue.

There is always something to be thankful for.

[Carter Harrison]

One of us wanted to give 4 stars, the other wanted to give 5. In the end we gave it 5 because we think parts of it were funny- especially if you read it aloud with an annoying voice for Philip! We both laughed when Gilbert said, "Get lost!" because there are days we feel that way too- it was nice to read about a character who had a bad day, but made things work out by being thankful.

[Melki]

Woo-hoo! Field trip! Too bad Gilbert's stuck with Philip as a trip buddy. Philip, a notorious tattletale, is the last one picked for EVERYTHING. And he's going to ruin Pilgrim Town for Gilbert!

If only Gilbert can find some way to get away from Philip . . .

[Alice]

So fare I have liked every Gilbert book I have read. This is a fun little Thanksgiving Book. They even go to the "Pilgrim Town" on a field trip.

Cute books, something a little different and not boring at all!

[Kaethe]

One of the nice things about children getting older is that you don't have to try and check out every picture book with a turkey on the spine for Thanksgiving.

[Allisa Zamarripa-Garza]

My favorite Thanksgiving book!!! Lesson learned...we must always be nice to our friends!

[Phillip]

3.5 stars