Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire

All of Diane de Groat's books in the Gilbert are enjoyable to read, but this is one of the stellar ones. As always, the illustrations are wonderful with lots of interesting details it them, and they add wonderfully to the story. Often children's books that intend to teach a lesson can be very heavy handed, but this one is not. Yes, Gilbert learns that lying is bad, and learns that always speaking the full truth isn't always a good thing (sometimes it's better to keep quiet), but you aren't bashed over the head with it again and again. It makes the point nicely and then keeps moving on, interspersed with humor and good entertainment. My child aged 4.75 *loves* this book and asked me to read it multiple times a day during it's first week in the house, including twice in a row at bed time. (A very high endorsement from her!) This is the type of well done book that I truly enjoy reading over and over again, too. (So many children's books can be a real chore to read multiple times.) The story is charming, interesting, sweet and believable, without being patronizing, condescending or smarmy. For other people just starting into the Gilbert series, I especially recommend the Halloween one (my personal favorite), the birthday one and the Easter one. Unfortunately, some of the older ones are getting harder to fine, but fortunately the author is still writing new ones. Hurrah, for good books!

Let me tell you a feel-good story. It involves love - the love of a mother for her daughter, and a child's passionate, exhilarated, uncomplicated love for books. This is the true story of Deb Raymer, and her daughter Sabrina, and how I came to know them. This holiday season, I am grateful that Deb has shared parts of her story, and that through her mom, Sabrina has shared a wonderful cast of characters previously unknown to me. A couple of months ago, Deb asked me to help her find a series of books. All Sabrina wants for Christmas is "Gilbert". Deb needed to order multiple copies of each book in the collection, she explained. Sabrina loves the "Gilbert" books so much, that she reads them to pieces. Literally. While I am always thrilled to see someone who loves books that much, that's not even the best part of the story. Sabrina is mentally and physically handicapped. She has a job at Partners in Progress that she enjoys. Whenever she rides to work on the bus, she has a "Gilbert" book - or two, or three - in her bag, and she "reads" them to the other passengers. Sabrina has memorized her favorite books. Her mother needs to keep buying new copies of them because Sabrina pages through them so much and so often that they fall apart. Gilbert, the hedgehog, and his sister Lola, are creations from the paintbrush and pen of Diane de Groat. This author/illustrator started working in children's literature by doing the artwork for some well-known children's authors, such as Lois Lowry and Eve Bunting. De Groat started on her Gilbert series in 1996 with "Roses are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink", which is still Sabrina's favorite. I hadn't heard of de Groat, and Deb gave my literary ego a boost by reassuring me that I'm not alone. Often, when Deb and Sabrina have searched for Gilbert in libraries and bookstores, he is nowhere to be found. So, it's time to spread the word. Diane de Groat has created a fun, inexpensive series with sympathetic characters, situations that kids can relate to, and a little lesson that doesn't come across like a 2"x 4" to the forehead. The titles themselves produce a smile for kids and adults alike. Now there's a Gilbert for every season in a child's life. A reader can start school with Gilbert in "Brand New Pencils, Brand New Books" and end the school year with the companion volume, "No More Pencils, No More Books! No More Teacher's Dirty Looks!" In these final months of the year, we have been enjoying "We Gather Together, Now Please Get Lost" for Thanksgiving, and "Jingle Bells, Homework Smells" for Christmas. The Gilbert books have been so successful that now his sister Lola has her own series, books for slightly younger children, that often include Gilbert, but from Lola's point-of-view. When Lola can't decide what to be for Halloween, she finally decides to be "a Gilbert", because she knows he's an original. I think Sabrina and Lola are on to something good. Author,"Hobo Finds A Home"

This is a book that has beautiful big illustration. The characters are animals (which I think children relate to better) and the story revolves around the idea that Lying is a bad habit and you get in less trouble if you tell the truth rather than lie. The story inside the story is about a teacher teaching her children about Presidents Washington and Lincoln (Mainly President Washington). The main character Gilbert is the one who learns a valuable lesson. This book would be great to read to a elementary history class especially around presidents day. I would recommend this book for kids over the age of four. I don't feel that most children under age four would understand the way the story teaches the lesson as it makes reference to the story of the Cherry Tree.