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Mr. Gumpy's Outing by John Burningham — book cover

Mr. Gumpy's Outing

by John Burningham
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Overview

At last, a board book edition of this beloved preschool story.

One sunny day Mr. Gumpy decides to take a ride in his small boat. It’s a perfect idea for a lovely summer day, and soon he is joined by children, a rabbit, a cat, a pig, and a host of other friends. But when the goat kicks, the chickens flap, the dog teases the cat and the children squabble — the boat tips into the water and everyone tumbles out. No one minds getting wet on such a nice day, though, especially since Mr. Gumpy invites everyone to his house for tea.

A colorful new design and sturdy board book format bring this beloved classic to a whole new audience of children.

John Burningham is a highly acclaimed author and illustrator with numerous books to his credit. With Mr. Gumpy’s Outing, he became the first artist ever to win England’s prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal twice. He lives in England.

Mr. Gumpy lives by a river. One day he takes a boat ride. "Mr. Gumpy's little scow becomes a miniature ark when he takes two children and one each of various domestic animals for a ride."--Kirkus Review. Full color. A School Library Journal Best of the Best, ALA Notable Book, New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of the Year, Boston Globe/Horn Book Award, Kate Greenaway Medal.

Synopsis

It's a pleasant day, so Mr. Gumpy decides to go for a boat ride. Each barnyard animal begs to join him, and Mr. Gumpy agrees-as long as each behaves! Two children join the fun, and as soon as the boat is launched, everyone does exactly what Mr. Gumpy asked them not to do. The result? Splash! This tale fits right into the toddler's sense of humor.

Publishers Weekly

Despite Mr. Gumpy's warnings to the multitudinous animals and children on his barge, the outing turns soggy when the boat capsizes. Ages 2-6. (Mar.)

About the Author, John Burningham

John Burningham is a highly acclaimed author and illustrator with numerous books to his credit. With Mr. Gumpy's Outing, he became the first artist ever to win England's prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal twice. He lives in England.

Reviews

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Editorials

From the Publisher


"Mr. Gumpy’s little scow becomes a miniature ark when he takes two children and one each of the various domestic animals for a ride. . . . The water appears so warmly inviting, and the tea they all share so satisfying, that the promise of the first glowing page is fulfilled. Burningham's sketchy yellow lines make the sun shine on his pages, and his animals--sometimes jaunty, more often appealingly hesitant--are his alone, unostentatiously distinctive. Mr. Gumpy has bumbling charm, and his outing is an unqualified pleasure.”--Kirkus Reviews

"A real charmer of a picture book for the very young."--Booklist

"Mr. Grumpy's Outing is out of sight."--School Library Journal

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Despite Mr. Gumpy's warnings to the multitudinous animals and children on his barge, the outing turns soggy when the boat capsizes. Ages 2-6. Mar.

Children's Literature

Mr. Gumpy owns a boat and has a house by the river. As he goes out in his boat one day, two children ask if they can join him. He agrees, on the condition that they won't squabble. The children are followed by a rabbit, a cat, a dog, a pig, a sheep, chickens, a calf and a goat. Mr. Gumpy sets conditions for them as well. For a while all is fine, but then the goat kicks, setting off a chain of events that sends everyone into the water. The brief and simple text holds delights for the ear with such words as "squabble," "tramp," and the wonderful admonition to the pig, "Don't muck about." The left-page, black-line illustration shows Mr. Gumpy in his boat with the addition of his new passengers at each turn of the page. The right-page illustration is in color and presents a large-size picture of the children and the animals as each asks to come along. This winner of the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, the Kate Greenaway Medal, and a New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book is a solid choice for the board book format. Toddlers will delight in the words and pictures and the satisfying ending of everyone sitting down to tea. 2001, Henry Holt, $6.95. Ages 1 to 5. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo

Book Details

Published
March 1, 1990
Publisher
Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Pages
32
Format
Paperback
ISBN
9780805013153

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