Groucho's Eyebrows

by Tricia Brown, Barbara Lavallee (Illustrations)

Groucho’s name is obvious to Kristie when she names her new kitten. He’s as white as a cloud everywhere except for those two black smudges above his eyes. What other name could she have given him? Kristie and Groucho become fast friends and playmates, reading together, snuggling under the quilt, and playing hide-and-seek, tracking games in the snow of a far north winter. When Grouch wanders away one wintery day, Kristie must rely on her Alaskan outdoor skills and woodsy savvy to follow various animal tracks. Young readers join her in a search for those precious black eyebrows in a scary, snowy world full of moose, fox, and other creatures of the wild.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Megan McKenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Personal reaction: I loved that this story shows a child's love for her pet. I can relate to Kristie as I lost a dog as a child and did not want to give up in finding her! She thinks that Grouncho's eyebrows are silly and she makes fun of them but we know her love for him is true.

Purposes: Read aloud for first grade. Children will love the theme of this book, never give up. The story also shows children that despite someone being different we should love them the same. The book uses a variety of sentence structures with many complex sentences. The book also introduces some unique words (Nanook). Children will also enjoy the silly eyebrows on the cat! Asking the children before the story what they think it may be about would be an excellent start and may result in some great answers.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following animal tracks is a fascinating art, one with great appeal to some of us, and this book can serve as an introduction.

Besides that, Tricia Brown offers all kids a beautiful example of persistance at doing all she can to find her beloved pet, who has gone missing.

Beautifully written, yes! For instance:

"I'm not giving up yet,
Groucho" she grumbled to herself.

In a while, she spied another set of tracks.
These were set wider in the snow and had a broad smudge between them.

Maybe Groucho's dragging something, Kristie thought.
Maybe his leg? Could he be hurt?!

This time she ran up the trail.

Will there be a happy ending? Please!

No spoiler from me, but this is a kid's picture book. And my library copy sure wasn't leaking blood. Fear not, Goodreaders.

FIVE STARS for this brilliant book. And thanks, author TriciaBrown and illustrator Barbara Lavallee.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about a little girl in AK that had a white cat with black eyebrows. She loves him and luckily those eyebrows save him when he gets lost outside in all that white snow. I love that the cat's picture that the story is based on is in the back.

Really cute colorful illustrations.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little book about appreciating the unique traits of others. Read with my 4yo daughter.