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The Last Peach
From internationally award-winning picture book creator Gus Gordon comes this delightful story about friendship and sharing.
One fine summer's day two bugs discover the most beautiful peach of the season and are faced with a dilemma...
Who should eat it?
One fine summer's day two bugs discover the most beautiful peach of the season and are faced with a dilemma...
Who should eat it?
32 pages, Hardcover
Published April 2, 2018
3 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
Gus Gordon
45 books73 followersGus Gordon is an internationally acclaimed illustrator and author. He has illustrated and written over 80 books for children.
Gus’s stories are typically character orientated and appeal to both children and adults alike. His illustrations are known for their loose and energetic line work, mixed media and humour, however, collage is the medium he is widely recognised for. Much of his work contains old ephemeral paper items such as catalogue engravings, postcards, advertisements, receipts, stamps, theatre programs and maps.
His writing is always anthropomorphic – where animals take the place of humans in the narrative. He attributes this to an early love of Kenneth Grahame's Wind in The Willows and Richard Scarry’s 'Busy' stories.
Gus’ books which include Wendy, Herman and Rosie (a 2013 CBCA 'Honour Award' for best picture book), Somewhere Else and The Last Peach, have sold in over 20 countries worldwide and have received wide international recognition. He has been shortlisted for the German Youth Literature Award, the Sakura Medal in Japan, the Kirico book awards in Spain, the Les Incorruptibles prize in France, the Premio Anderson Children's Book awards in Italy and has twice been nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, the world's largest award for children's and young adult literature.
Gus is represented by Charlie Olsen of InkWell Management in New York. He lives with his wife and three kids (and a dog called Biggles) in Sydney, Australia.
Gus’s stories are typically character orientated and appeal to both children and adults alike. His illustrations are known for their loose and energetic line work, mixed media and humour, however, collage is the medium he is widely recognised for. Much of his work contains old ephemeral paper items such as catalogue engravings, postcards, advertisements, receipts, stamps, theatre programs and maps.
His writing is always anthropomorphic – where animals take the place of humans in the narrative. He attributes this to an early love of Kenneth Grahame's Wind in The Willows and Richard Scarry’s 'Busy' stories.
Gus’ books which include Wendy, Herman and Rosie (a 2013 CBCA 'Honour Award' for best picture book), Somewhere Else and The Last Peach, have sold in over 20 countries worldwide and have received wide international recognition. He has been shortlisted for the German Youth Literature Award, the Sakura Medal in Japan, the Kirico book awards in Spain, the Les Incorruptibles prize in France, the Premio Anderson Children's Book awards in Italy and has twice been nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, the world's largest award for children's and young adult literature.
Gus is represented by Charlie Olsen of InkWell Management in New York. He lives with his wife and three kids (and a dog called Biggles) in Sydney, Australia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
May 30, 2019
Wonderful picnic book - and bring a peach!
June 20, 2021
I liked that it was told entirely in dialogue. I like that the friends were different species. But I have to admit that the ending did not work *for me.* I wanted a resolution to the discussion that made sense.
Otoh, life isn't fair, and it doesn't always make sense, and not everything gets a resolution. So maybe this is actually brilliant Philosophy? Maybe more of us who whine about 'first world problems' should have read books like this when we were kids?
What do you think?
Otoh, life isn't fair, and it doesn't always make sense, and not everything gets a resolution. So maybe this is actually brilliant Philosophy? Maybe more of us who whine about 'first world problems' should have read books like this when we were kids?
What do you think?
May 7, 2019
Do you ever over-think a decision, going back and forth with it? Do you get greedy for a snack and end up fighting a friend over it? Well, this is the book for you!
And do you like surprise endings? Then, this is even MORE the book for you!
And do you like surprise endings? Then, this is even MORE the book for you!
June 20, 2019
Two little insects contemplate the most beautiful, juicy-looking peach they have ever seen in this amusing picture-book from Australian author/artist Gus Gordon, creator of such titles as
Herman and Rosie
and
Somewhere Else
. When they discover that it is the last peach, they debate whether to eat it, and then who should eat it. Their decision to proves fortuitous, when the true nature of the "peach" is revealed...
Having enjoyed the two other picture-books mentioned above, as well as Jason Carter Eaton's The Catawampus Cat , which Gordon illustrated, I came into The Last Peach with a pleasant sense of expectation. All in all, I was not disappointed, finding the dialogue-based text engaging and humorous, and the collage artwork lovely. The revelation about the peach at the end of the tale provided a fun conclusion to the reading experience. Recommended to fans of Gus Gordon, and to anyone searching for entertaining new summer picture-books.
Having enjoyed the two other picture-books mentioned above, as well as Jason Carter Eaton's The Catawampus Cat , which Gordon illustrated, I came into The Last Peach with a pleasant sense of expectation. All in all, I was not disappointed, finding the dialogue-based text engaging and humorous, and the collage artwork lovely. The revelation about the peach at the end of the tale provided a fun conclusion to the reading experience. Recommended to fans of Gus Gordon, and to anyone searching for entertaining new summer picture-books.
July 20, 2020
Featured in a grandma reads session.
You will want to have peaches available for all once you are done reading this. . .two companionable bugs discuss a beautiful so-close-to-them-that-they-cannot-see-it-all peach they see through the leaves of the peach tree they are in. Discussion follows on many aspects of the peach, shape, form, flavor, what to do with, how to handle, who deserves, who doesn't, right ways to eat, wrong ways to eat and there is even a scuffle-fight.
There is a surprising twist at the end which I will not spoil. The kids loved it.
And seriously. Have some peaches ready to hand out, with napkins.
3 stars. Freestone, Clingstone & White. Mmm.
You will want to have peaches available for all once you are done reading this. . .two companionable bugs discuss a beautiful so-close-to-them-that-they-cannot-see-it-all peach they see through the leaves of the peach tree they are in. Discussion follows on many aspects of the peach, shape, form, flavor, what to do with, how to handle, who deserves, who doesn't, right ways to eat, wrong ways to eat and there is even a scuffle-fight.
There is a surprising twist at the end which I will not spoil. The kids loved it.
And seriously. Have some peaches ready to hand out, with napkins.
3 stars. Freestone, Clingstone & White. Mmm.
June 27, 2019
A delightful picture book for kids! I ordered a copy for my grandson right after I read it to another grandchild! I recommend this!
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July 29, 2018The Last Peach by Gus Gordon is an adorable and humorous picture book about friendship, food, and objects that are not as they may first appear.
The Last Peach is the story of two friends (mosquitoes?) who have found the most wonderful peach and can not wait to bite into it. After a couple of arguments and warnings from friends, the pair must decide what their feelings on the Peach are and if they are brave, and quick enough to snag a bite of it. ... but is everything as it seems? And do they get the peach at the end? Only time will tell.
The first things I noticed about this book was the beautiful end papers featuring 18 different types of peaches - don't read this book if you are hungry! -, all of which that are so realistically and scientifically drawn that it took me longer than I am willing to admit to realise they weren't pictures.
The next striking feature of The Last Peach is the form in which Gus Gordon has used to tell his story. The narrative is told through colour coded dialogue between two friends once they stumble upon the most beautiful and ripe looking peach - possibly even the last one of the season. The tone is easy and conversational, and sure to leave young readers smiling and laughing at their rather unusual predicament.
Showcasing themes of friendship, sharing, the importance of listening and taking on advice, and how seemingly small issues can turn into massive fights when care is not taken. Lastly The Last Peach is a story that takes the reader by surprise, especially when they are so sure they know what is going on. It asks the reader to think twice and for themselves, so that they dont believe everything they see, for things are not always what they may first appear to be.
Each double page spread features one full page colour illustration on the left hand side, accompanied by one page of colour coded dialogue narrative on the right hand side. The form is unusual, but it works so well with the story and it makes the narrative feel so much more immediate and as though the reader is there spying on the mosquitoes.
All in all, The Last Peach is a cute and unique picture book that is sure to delight readers of all ages - just make sure you have peaches on hand in case you too find yourself with a desire to bite into a juicy ripe peach!
The Last Peach is the story of two friends (mosquitoes?) who have found the most wonderful peach and can not wait to bite into it. After a couple of arguments and warnings from friends, the pair must decide what their feelings on the Peach are and if they are brave, and quick enough to snag a bite of it. ... but is everything as it seems? And do they get the peach at the end? Only time will tell.
The first things I noticed about this book was the beautiful end papers featuring 18 different types of peaches - don't read this book if you are hungry! -, all of which that are so realistically and scientifically drawn that it took me longer than I am willing to admit to realise they weren't pictures.
The next striking feature of The Last Peach is the form in which Gus Gordon has used to tell his story. The narrative is told through colour coded dialogue between two friends once they stumble upon the most beautiful and ripe looking peach - possibly even the last one of the season. The tone is easy and conversational, and sure to leave young readers smiling and laughing at their rather unusual predicament.
Showcasing themes of friendship, sharing, the importance of listening and taking on advice, and how seemingly small issues can turn into massive fights when care is not taken. Lastly The Last Peach is a story that takes the reader by surprise, especially when they are so sure they know what is going on. It asks the reader to think twice and for themselves, so that they dont believe everything they see, for things are not always what they may first appear to be.
Each double page spread features one full page colour illustration on the left hand side, accompanied by one page of colour coded dialogue narrative on the right hand side. The form is unusual, but it works so well with the story and it makes the narrative feel so much more immediate and as though the reader is there spying on the mosquitoes.
All in all, The Last Peach is a cute and unique picture book that is sure to delight readers of all ages - just make sure you have peaches on hand in case you too find yourself with a desire to bite into a juicy ripe peach!
July 25, 2019
Two bugs (plus some passing characters) debate the pros and cons of devouring the last, perfect peach of the season. There it is, hanging in the tree as the bugs bicker, argue, agree, and ultimately walk away from the decision.
The reader gets the last laugh, of course, as the peach isn't quite what it appears to be. It's a gently humorous poke in the ribs as the reader sees the importance of a new perspective.
Young children may catch the humor more readily than adults will. My first reaction was, "Huh? That's the end?" And, yes, there's plenty that doesn't make sense if you think too hard. But it's still a funny sketch with a good lesson for life.
The reader gets the last laugh, of course, as the peach isn't quite what it appears to be. It's a gently humorous poke in the ribs as the reader sees the importance of a new perspective.
Young children may catch the humor more readily than adults will. My first reaction was, "Huh? That's the end?" And, yes, there's plenty that doesn't make sense if you think too hard. But it's still a funny sketch with a good lesson for life.
May 28, 2019
A clever story about sharing the last peach - but is it really the last one or even a peach?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2019
Wonderful paper cuts out adorn the pages of this story of two bugs debating over who gets the last peach of the season. Silly...
July 16, 2019
Another great two reader book for storytime!! The banter in this one is particularly good.
July 19, 2019
I absolutely love this picture book. The illustrations and ending are critical to the story. The , which entire story is told in dialogue, which will make it so much fun to read (in different voices/ inflections). There are two flies/ insects who contemplate eating the last peach on a tree of the season. Their rationales for eating or leaving it are stated, along with a few pieces of advice from other tree creatures. I can't wait to share this as a read aloud with my students!
August 29, 2019
Clever and fun to read aloud with a partner or small group!
September 20, 2019
Two bugs have a long conversation about whether or not to eat the peach.
June 18, 2021
I found it helpful that the different characters had different color of words to help with my voice change when reading
July 21, 2019
Supremely funny with beautiful collage art illustrations. A winner!
February 2, 2020
The Last Peach by Gus Gordon. PICTURE BOOK. Roaring Brook Press (Macmillan), 2019. $18. 9781626723504
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Two bugs find the most beautiful peach they have ever seen and proceed to debate whether or not they should eat it. They deliberate for a long time, until they finally decide to not eat the peach. As they walk away we can see that the peach was really the sun all along.
Everything about this book is gorgeous. The end pages are life-like illustrations of peaches and the illustrations in the book are made from paper (with writing) collages. I had predicted a different ending and was delighted to be surprised. This book is certainly better on the first reading than later readings.
Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Two bugs find the most beautiful peach they have ever seen and proceed to debate whether or not they should eat it. They deliberate for a long time, until they finally decide to not eat the peach. As they walk away we can see that the peach was really the sun all along.
Everything about this book is gorgeous. The end pages are life-like illustrations of peaches and the illustrations in the book are made from paper (with writing) collages. I had predicted a different ending and was delighted to be surprised. This book is certainly better on the first reading than later readings.
Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
October 20, 2019
The three things I loved most about this book:
1.) The ending. Not because it was over but because... it was good. You'll see what I mean when you read it.
2.) The different colored dialogue. There were no quotation marks or any uses of "he said, "she said" in there. Instead, each color of dialogue was unique to a specific character. I thought that was cool.
3.) The humor. That part where they said, "Oh, wait. We can already fly..." Yeah, that was probably my favorite part. :)
Fun book!
1.) The ending. Not because it was over but because... it was good. You'll see what I mean when you read it.
2.) The different colored dialogue. There were no quotation marks or any uses of "he said, "she said" in there. Instead, each color of dialogue was unique to a specific character. I thought that was cool.
3.) The humor. That part where they said, "Oh, wait. We can already fly..." Yeah, that was probably my favorite part. :)
Fun book!
February 28, 2019
This is such a quirky book from Gus Gordon. Two little bugs find a lovely peach. They really want to eat it. But they keep finding reasons to convince themselves not too.
This story doesn't follow a regular narrative, but it is quite a funny dialogue and would be enjoyable to read aloud with 2 people.
This story doesn't follow a regular narrative, but it is quite a funny dialogue and would be enjoyable to read aloud with 2 people.
March 11, 2019
Love this book. It's entirely in dialogue between two insects (flies?) and always read on the right hand side with illustrations to the left, than a full double spread illustration to end. It's got humour with a cute surprise ending.
April 10, 2018
Full review here - http://bronasbooks.blogspot.com.au/20...
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September 25, 2019I loved the illustrations in this book.
November 9, 2019
"You warm my heart like my favorite pajamas."
May 17, 2019
Two bugs happen upon the last peach of the summer, still hanging high in the peach tree. The two agree that is is the most beautiful peach they have seen that year. They decide to eat it immediately, until a grasshopper mentions that it must be the last peach of the season. They once again decide to go ahead and eat it. Then another insect says that it is probably rotten inside. The two go back and forth about whether to eat it. Maybe just one little bite? Maybe they should share it with everyone else? Maybe they should just leave it? Or perhaps each of them just wants it for their own. In the end, the two walk away from the glorious peach. But is it a peach after all?
Gordon is an Australian author and illustrator. Writing solely in dialogue in this picture book, he captures what friendship looks like with its give and take. He also shows how small decisions can become major friction in a friendship and how not to navigate those issues, since our bug friends get in a brawl because of it. This picture book reads aloud beautifully and could quickly be turned into a reader’s theater. The illustrations are done in collage that skillfully uses a variety of different types of paper that pops against the white background. The result is a minimalist feel with great pops of green and peachy colors. The twist at the end, revealed only in the illustrations adds a sense of delight to the entire book.
A tantalizing peach of a book. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
https://wakingbraincells.com/2019/05/...
Gordon is an Australian author and illustrator. Writing solely in dialogue in this picture book, he captures what friendship looks like with its give and take. He also shows how small decisions can become major friction in a friendship and how not to navigate those issues, since our bug friends get in a brawl because of it. This picture book reads aloud beautifully and could quickly be turned into a reader’s theater. The illustrations are done in collage that skillfully uses a variety of different types of paper that pops against the white background. The result is a minimalist feel with great pops of green and peachy colors. The twist at the end, revealed only in the illustrations adds a sense of delight to the entire book.
A tantalizing peach of a book. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
https://wakingbraincells.com/2019/05/...
June 4, 2019
There is nothing as desirable as the last of a whole lot of things. It does not matter if it's the last for a day, month, season, year or possibly forever. We all understand how vital the remaining minutes of light before night comes are when something needs to be done outside. Is there anything more delicious than the final scoop of your favorite ice cream? The world is bathed in magic on full moon nights. It's hard to wait an entire month for the next one to appear. It could also be cloudy! The conclusion of summer vacation is bittersweet. It's full of wonderful memories but signals the end of a welcome season, and for many a return to a more restricted schedule.
When faced with a last item, the situation is more complicated when appreciation turns into desire and that desire is denied for a variety of reasons. The Last Peach (Roaring Brook Press, April 2, 2019) written and illustrated by Gus Gordon explores this dilemma with considerable insight. Two bugs find themselves debating multiple issues after their magnificent discovery.
My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
When faced with a last item, the situation is more complicated when appreciation turns into desire and that desire is denied for a variety of reasons. The Last Peach (Roaring Brook Press, April 2, 2019) written and illustrated by Gus Gordon explores this dilemma with considerable insight. Two bugs find themselves debating multiple issues after their magnificent discovery.
My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
November 30, 2019
The end papers featuring various types of peaches at different stages in their lives are lovely to ponder, reminding hungry readers that sometimes it's a good idea to spend some time just enjoying the scent and the appearance of their food before consuming it. But maybe, just maybe, not always. Using two different colors for the font in which this story is told as a conversation between two characters, two bugs consider the merits of a most perfect peach, most likely the last one of the season. Although they are eager to eat it, they're also indecisive since it might not taste as good as it looks. In their exchange, each bug tries to persuade the other one to wait or to eat just a tiny bite, and one of them ends up writing a poem to it. After arguing about which one of them should get to eat it, in the end, they leave it alone. But as readers will realize when they turn to the very last page, that most perfect of peaches isn't a peach at all. This one made me smile because of all the dithering over that peach, which many readers can relate to, and because of the surprise ending.
September 8, 2019
I enjoy books with a surprised ending and this book did not disappoint. Reading this book made me go out and buy some peaches. I even took the time to admire it in its glory and wandered if this was the last peach picked. The story begins with two flies ( probably fruit flies) admiring what they think is a peach. The story goes through how they contemplate eating this peach. Just when they decide other insects interject with their decisions as to how to proceed. Laughable moments continue between them and their dilemma. What is disturbing is that they do finally find themselves at odds but soon disperse not feeling worthy of such a find peach. I on the other hand ate mine. Enjoyed their rhetoric
You will too.
You will too.
September 18, 2019
This is the story of two insect friends who come upon the last peach. It is a fine peach but what should they do with it?
The text is written in color coded dialogue between the friends. Their conversation revolves around their indecision on what to do. Eat it? Share it? Save it? Other insects offer advice which just makes the two friends more confused.
The illustrations are as quirky and fun as the text. Done in collage using a variety of different papers, each page invites exploration. This is a book that children (and adults) will want to read again and again. Then, everyone will want to eat peaches.
The text is written in color coded dialogue between the friends. Their conversation revolves around their indecision on what to do. Eat it? Share it? Save it? Other insects offer advice which just makes the two friends more confused.
The illustrations are as quirky and fun as the text. Done in collage using a variety of different papers, each page invites exploration. This is a book that children (and adults) will want to read again and again. Then, everyone will want to eat peaches.
December 28, 2019
This is such a funny little story. I adored the mixed-media illustrations and the main characters who are odd little bugs. It may just be the peach, but I was reminded vaguely of James and the Giant Peach, but for a much younger crowd. I love how the story gets into the feelings we have when we come to the end of something wonderful (summer/delicious treats). The bugs try hard to keep it/to hoard it for themselves, but in the end they say goodbye with grace. The author does this in a very age-appropriate and fun way. I can definitely see this in our family storytime next summer.
August 28, 2025
I wish this app was organized like Letterboxd sometimes where you could have sort it by sections instead of the tags being like lists. I didn’t think this was that good but my little cousins understood that it wasn’t a peach, it was the sun at the end! It reminded me of James and the Giant Peach and obviously James and the Giant Peach is better. My little cousin didn’t say whether she liked it or not. I didn’t like it and thought it wasn’t a very good children’s book. The bugs (the main characters) are cute though!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews