Arthur's Great Big Valentine (I Can Read Book 2) [Paperback]

Lillian Hoban (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 14, 1991 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: I Can Read Book 2

"[In] this lovely valentine from Hoban to all beginning readers, a minor squabble with his best friend, Norman, has left Arthur all alone this wintry Valentine's Day [until] Norman's little brother saves the day, and the two best friends are reunited. This title will warm up any snowy, blustery day."—SLJ.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Arthur's best friend Norman ripped his jacket while they played Tarzan; now Norman will not let Arthur belong to his secret club. It's Valentine's Day, and feeling friendless, Arthur refuses to make a valentine for Norman. He turns down an invitation to a party when he learns that Norman will be there, and spends his time writing verse in the snow: "Valentines are stupid. / Some people get many. / I don't care / if I never get any." Then Norman's little brother Tony confides that Norman has made a Valentine for Arthur. That changes everything; Arthur reciprocates by making a huge Valentine in the snow by Norman's house. This is somewhat protracted for such a slim idea, and it's unfortunate that rather than initiating a truce, Arthur's actions are only in response to Norman's. Still, Hoban's drawings are characteristically full of charm, and fans of the Arthur books will find this a heart-warming addition to the series. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2 This is a lovely valentine from Hoban to all beginning readers, many of whom are already fans of Arthur the monkey and his wise little sister, Violet. A minor squabble with his best friend, Norman, has left Arthur all alone this wintry Valentine's Day. Although Violet generously offers to join him, she is distracted by the arrival of her friend, Wilma, who has brought invitations to a big Valentine's party. Arthur declines because Norman will be there. But Norman's little brother, Tony, saves the day, and the two best friends are reunited. Wilma's party is a special celebration of fun and friendship. In this welcome addition to a popular series, Hoban's lively, colorful illustrations add humor and meaning to the text. Arthur's early "I-don't-care" attitude to being left out is believable, but not forced. This title will warm up any snowy, blustery day, and it should be particularly useful where holiday titles for this age group are in demand. Martha Rosen, Edgewood School, Scarsdale, N.Y.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (February 14, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064441490
• ISBN-13: 978-0064441490
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #351,558 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #14 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( H ) > Hoban, Lillian

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes you CAN ........read, February 14, 2009

By 

a gentle sound (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Arthur's Great Big Valentine (I Can Read Book 2) (Paperback)

This is the test book in the Sarah "See if they can read" program. By February if the 1st grade I am teaching reads this to me (over the week of Valentine's, or on the day), I know things are ok.
And once more they did it this year, yeah!
No, not incredibly well, but just fine.

So beyond the remarkable sight word festival it contains, what makes this so nice? (I own 20 copies for one thing ( minus 4 somebody needs to return, grr) And the story is sweet. ) WELL, It' a boy's book which sits in an interesting place for us. Boys really do like Valentine's Day with a fervor. (Take that to the old-timer's secrets grave will yah? )

In the story a little monkey named Arthur has gotten in a big jam with his good buddy Norman. Arthur is terrific at carrying this to us, he's angry, grumpy, surly and then has to have snowball fights with himself! His Little sister Violet tries in her ever so very helpful way to point out "solutions" but it just isn't remotely helpful to him. He and Norman got in this mess over Norman's jacket being torn playing Tarzan. And it was new! Arthur of course is carrying just all the blame. It's guilt.
So there is a big party coming, Wilma (Violet's best friend) is throwing it with invitations, and then there is a traveling Valentine seller named Peter, a little brother Tony and a very cool way this gets happily resolved.

It's amazing every year to watch my reader's read their way through it. And they do want to read so much, plus it has rhymes, and kind of, for the 2nd language learner, enough of a frame to help them along. It's darling.
I really enjoy watching and remembering this holiday through this book.