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Where is Gah-Ning?
Gah-Ning wants to go to Kapuskasing, that bustling hub of Northern Ontario civilization. But her father doesn’t want her to go. He knows what happens to people when they go there—they shop until their money runs out—but she decides to go anyway. First she tries to go by bike, then on roller blades, but each time her father finds out and takes her back home. Then she meets a clown who is giving out balloons. She takes 300 of them and begins floating off down the highway in the direction of ...
32 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1994
3 people are currently reading
163 people want to read
About the author
Robert Munsch
287 books1,665 followersRobert Munsch was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Fordham University in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and from Boston University in 1971 with a Master of Arts degree in anthropology.
He studied to become a Jesuit priest, but decided he would rather work with children after jobs at orphanages and daycare centers. In 1973, he received a Master of Education in Child Studies from Tufts University. In 1975 he moved to Canada to work at the preschool at the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario. He also taught in the Department of Family Studies at the University of Guelph as a lecturer and as an assistant professor. In Guelph he was encouraged to publish the many stories he made up for the children he worked with.
Munsch's wife delivered two stillborn babies in 1979 and 1980. Out of the tragedy, he produced one of his best-known books, Love You Forever. This book was listed fourth on the 2001 Publishers Weekly All-Time Best selling Children's Books list for paperbacks at 6,970,000 copies (not including the 1,049,000 hardcover copies). The Munsches have since become adoptive parents of Julie, Andrew and Tyya (see them all in Something Good!)
Munsch has obsessive-compulsive disorder and has also suffered from manic depression. In August 2008, Munsch suffered a stroke that affected his ability to speak in normal sentences. He has recovered enough that he is able to perform live, but has put his writing career on hold until he is fully recovered.
He studied to become a Jesuit priest, but decided he would rather work with children after jobs at orphanages and daycare centers. In 1973, he received a Master of Education in Child Studies from Tufts University. In 1975 he moved to Canada to work at the preschool at the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario. He also taught in the Department of Family Studies at the University of Guelph as a lecturer and as an assistant professor. In Guelph he was encouraged to publish the many stories he made up for the children he worked with.
Munsch's wife delivered two stillborn babies in 1979 and 1980. Out of the tragedy, he produced one of his best-known books, Love You Forever. This book was listed fourth on the 2001 Publishers Weekly All-Time Best selling Children's Books list for paperbacks at 6,970,000 copies (not including the 1,049,000 hardcover copies). The Munsches have since become adoptive parents of Julie, Andrew and Tyya (see them all in Something Good!)
Munsch has obsessive-compulsive disorder and has also suffered from manic depression. In August 2008, Munsch suffered a stroke that affected his ability to speak in normal sentences. He has recovered enough that he is able to perform live, but has put his writing career on hold until he is fully recovered.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 24, 2020
A young Chinese-Canadian girl wants to visit the nearby town of Kapuskasing more than anything, but her father will have none of it. Her attempts to get there, first by bicycle, then by roller-blade, are foiled by her attentive parent. Then she visits the library for story-time, is given three hundred balloons by the clown/storyteller, and floats off to her destination...
Where is Gah-Ning? is the twelfth picture-book I have read from Canadian author Robert Munsch, but the first not to be illustrated by his long-time collaborator, Michael Martchenko. I was curious to see what I would make of Hélène Desputeaux's artwork, given how well I think Martchenko's illustrations complement Munsch's stories, and overall I was favorably impressed. I found the visuals here colorful and appealing. That said, somehow I wasn't quite won over by the story, even though I appreciated the detailed afterword explaining how it originated from Munsch's interaction with the real Gah-Ning. Perhaps because it was more text-heavy than many of the author's other books, it felt denser, less amusing? I'm really not sure. Still, I would imagine that some readers will find it entertaining, particularly if they are looking for stories about feisty, willful young girls.
Where is Gah-Ning? is the twelfth picture-book I have read from Canadian author Robert Munsch, but the first not to be illustrated by his long-time collaborator, Michael Martchenko. I was curious to see what I would make of Hélène Desputeaux's artwork, given how well I think Martchenko's illustrations complement Munsch's stories, and overall I was favorably impressed. I found the visuals here colorful and appealing. That said, somehow I wasn't quite won over by the story, even though I appreciated the detailed afterword explaining how it originated from Munsch's interaction with the real Gah-Ning. Perhaps because it was more text-heavy than many of the author's other books, it felt denser, less amusing? I'm really not sure. Still, I would imagine that some readers will find it entertaining, particularly if they are looking for stories about feisty, willful young girls.
March 11, 2018
COVER
When I found this book I didn't know what to expect. It's really out there compared to his usual work. I love it that they used an independent picture rather than just an image from the interior. What I really find interesting about this cover is that it's really abstract. You really have no idea what the book is about without actually reading it.
Interior
When I started to read it I was really surprised to see that it had that Munsch style he's known for. It's goofier and more imaginary than I expected. (While being based in reality.) There is a little bit of a underlying story with disobeying parents but you can also look at the story as a persistence will help you go far. The say she reasons around things in her head could be troubling if you look into it too deeply.
Something that sort of surprised me is that this book has two full page drawings. Let's talk about the artwork for a moment. Strangely enough that one drawing looks more chaotic than he normally has. The art is done well. In fact I just love how she did the the pine trees. That is really cool art choice.
Extra
This book had an extra back story to it.The heart of the book you might say. It cool to read the back story and get a feel of how this book became what it's become.
When I found this book I didn't know what to expect. It's really out there compared to his usual work. I love it that they used an independent picture rather than just an image from the interior. What I really find interesting about this cover is that it's really abstract. You really have no idea what the book is about without actually reading it.
Interior
When I started to read it I was really surprised to see that it had that Munsch style he's known for. It's goofier and more imaginary than I expected. (While being based in reality.) There is a little bit of a underlying story with disobeying parents but you can also look at the story as a persistence will help you go far. The say she reasons around things in her head could be troubling if you look into it too deeply.
Something that sort of surprised me is that this book has two full page drawings. Let's talk about the artwork for a moment. Strangely enough that one drawing looks more chaotic than he normally has. The art is done well. In fact I just love how she did the the pine trees. That is really cool art choice.
Extra
This book had an extra back story to it.The heart of the book you might say. It cool to read the back story and get a feel of how this book became what it's become.
February 12, 2022
The piece at the back about the origin of the story was great, but the actual story in the book was full of discomfort. All the Asian Canadian stereotypes from the early 90s haven't aged well. The combination of the style of the writing and this illustrator make me think of my favourite Robert Munsch book, Purple, Green, and Yellow, so I was excited to get into this one. Unfortunately the story and the stereotypes (both in the text and the otherwise charming artwork) made it fall short especially as someone who is half Asian myself and spent time living in Northern Ontario the racism there is still very current and I don't think this story would help to lessen it.
December 30, 2018
Well, this story was okay. It's not the most amazing story that Robert Munsch has ever written, but it's still okay.
I didn't really know what Kapuskasing was, I don't think I really understand why Gah-Ning wanted to go there so badly, but I think she got there.
I thought the backstory after this story was more interesting than the actual story, but still, I just don't feel the same about this book as I do many other Munsch books.
I didn't really know what Kapuskasing was, I don't think I really understand why Gah-Ning wanted to go there so badly, but I think she got there.
I thought the backstory after this story was more interesting than the actual story, but still, I just don't feel the same about this book as I do many other Munsch books.
February 28, 2024
Honestly the story behind the story (included at the end of the book) is funnier, and more meaningful than the purported story! However this is fun enough, I do remember liking the idea of floating away with 300 balloons over the highway, and Helene Desputeaux (who also illustrated Purple, Green and Yellow) is an underrated Munsch illustrator.
April 2, 2018
A very determined little girl wants to go to Kapuskasing but her father won't let her, although she makes attempts on her bicycle and on her roller blades. Finally she finds an amazing way to get there.
The author included the backstory of how he came up with the idea for this story.
The author included the backstory of how he came up with the idea for this story.
March 27, 2024
I think this is the last Robert Munsch book for me to read. This book is in my top 5 RM books, but it did not displace Purple, Green, and Yellow as my favorite. I truly wish they had been around when I was little.
June 17, 2020
Annoyingly repetitive. Too much strange wording. (Seriously, what kid wakes up and says, "Oh here I am and I really want to go on a trip"?)
January 22, 2022
Love the detailed busy illustration and the story is cute. My child loved it.
May 25, 2025
Haha I enjoy when kids outsmart adults using technicalities and precise wording.
September 27, 2025
Such a cute story. But the best part is the end, “about this story”. Mr. Munsch is such a dear person.
January 8, 2012
A funny story a bout a little girl named Gah-Ning who wants to visit kapuskasing shop. Her father says NO and prevents her from going there because he thinks that people spend all their money there! It doesn't make sense to her cause she just wants to go there!! So, she uses her bicycle and then her roller blades to go there and every time her father finds her half way through and brings her back home after giving her a lecture of what might happen to her going there alone. She comes up with a creative idea by asking a clown she meets in the library to give her 300 balloons! And she floats to kapuskasing shop to land on her dad's car infront of the shop.
I really enjoyed it much and its drawings is so childishly colorful.
I really enjoyed it much and its drawings is so childishly colorful.
August 25, 2013
Another little gem by Robert Munsch, with another new illustrator - Helene Desputeaux. Having been to both Hearst Ontario and Kapuskasing Ontario (northern towns on highway 11), I really appreciated the illustrations of the moose and coniferous forests. Litlle Gah-Ling is a pretty adventurous and determined character who, having made the decision to go to Kapuskasing, will find a way no matter what. My favourite illustations are of the 300 balloons, of all different colours and shapes. What a child's heaven to have so many balloons!
December 19, 2009
Gah-Ning announces to her father that she wants to go on a trip to Kapuskaing. Her father threw the food he was preparing up in the air and said, "No. When people go to Kauskaing they spend hundreds of dollars."
After awhile Gah-Ning hops on her bicycle and starts pedalling down the road to Kapuskaing.
Her father went to tell her that it was time for lunch but... Please read the rest of my review here: http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2009/10...
After awhile Gah-Ning hops on her bicycle and starts pedalling down the road to Kapuskaing.
Her father went to tell her that it was time for lunch but... Please read the rest of my review here: http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2009/10...
January 31, 2013
I would definitely give this book two stars... BUT the story from Robert Munsch at the end, about the story-behind-the-story... THAT deserves a bonus star! I don't love the fiction story that is this book... but the seed that this story sprouted out of is lovely.
December 18, 2013
I'm a huge fan of Robert N. Munsch. This book is about a little girl who wants to visit a faraway land, but is having some difficulty getting there. I do question whether or not the book may portray some stereotypes of Asian people and whether this would be found offensive.
August 3, 2011
My son and I started this and didn't finish so my rating isn't entirely fair but it didn't interest us at all.
October 19, 2014
Loved it! What a fun story!
January 4, 2013
Great Munsch book based in a location close to home.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews