We Gather Together...Now Please Get Lost!

Publishers Weekly

DeGroat's (Happy Birthday to You, You Belong in a Zoo) fifth book starring Gilbert follows the furry fellow on a school outing to Pilgrim Town. When he gets stuck with Philip the tattletale as his field trip buddy, Gilbert tries to give him the slip. But Philip proves that he can be a true friend when Gilbert gets into a jam. Though the author sprinkles in a few tidbits about pilgrim life, she deemphasizes the historical backdrop to stress instead the themes of friendship and gratitude. Ages 5-8. (Aug.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Children's Literature

Gilbert is too excited to sleep; he is going on a field trip to a Pilgrim Town. When morning arrives, Gilbert is exhausted and to make matters worse he is late for school and doesn't have time for breakfast. When he gets to class, his buddy already had a partner for the trip and he is stuck with Philip, the class tattletale. Gilbert ignores his teacher's advice and tries several times to give Philip the slip. When Gilbert accidentally locks himself in the bathroom, it is Philip who brings help. They then head for the Lost Child Corner to wait for their teacher, Mrs. Byrd. It all ends well with Mrs. Byrd treating the class to a picnic with pumpkin pie and then they all relate what they are thankful for. Gilbert is thankful that he was rescued and he and Philip become friends. It all ends on a happy note. DeGroat has populated this story with a host of anthropomorphic characters, who are a delightful lot. Gilbert is especially appealing and kids will have no trouble relating to this story. 2001, SeaStar, $15.95. Ages 5 to 8. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot

School Library Journal

K-Gr 2-Another entry in deGroat's amiable series of school stories featuring a little opossum and his animal pals. This time Gilbert and his classmates are off on a field trip to Pilgrim Town to learn about the daily life of early settlers. Late to school, he gets stuck with Philip as his partner for the day. He's missed breakfast, can't play checkers on the bus with his friend Frank, and dreads spending the day with "tattle-tale" Philip. At the park, a series of minor misadventures winds up with Gilbert locked in a rest room. Luckily, Philip tracks him down and then finds someone to unlock the door. Once reunited with their class, Gilbert gives Philip the credit and takes responsibility for his foolish behavior. Their teacher displays remarkable forbearance. She reassures them that no harm has been done and celebrates their return with pumpkin pies and pilgrim hats. While the action isn't terribly exciting, this low-key story captures the emotions and behavior of early elementary students. DeGroat's watercolor illustrations add charm and humor to the straightforward text. The home and school environments are cozy and familiar, while details of the park scenes offer potential topics for further discussion. Teachers and librarians in search of a fun read-aloud for Thanksgiving (a rare bird indeed) will welcome this title.-Lisa Dennis, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

DeGroat brings back Gilbert, the young hedgehog/porcupine, in a story that resounds with getting one's just deserts. Gilbert is so torqued about going on a field trip to Pilgrim Town that he tosses and turns all night. But then he ends up with Philip, the class tattletale, as his partner for the day. Philip is annoying-he has threatened to tell on Gilbert for a minor infraction before they are even off the bus-and Gilbert cuts him absolutely no slack. Particularly when they get the Pilgrim Town, where he does nothing but hide from Philip. Then Gilbert inadvertently gets locked in the bathroom and scary visions of being trapped all night dance through his mind. But Philip saves the day and Gilbert gets sprung. Gilbert decides that Philip just might be an okay buddy, given half a chance. DeGroat's illustrations-handsome watercolors on two-page spreads-serve as ideal scene-setters for this thoughtful reminder that you never know who your friends are, or will be, and so everybody deserves a break-especially the class sad sack. (Picture book. 5-8)