I Don't Like Gloria! [Hardcover]

Kaye Umansky (Author), Margaret Chamberlain (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 9, 2007 | Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

A jealous pup learns that rivals can become unexpected allies in a picture book loaded with preschooler appeal.

Why didn't anyone ask Calvin if it was all right to bring Gloria home? Now Calvin has to live with Gloria — and to make matters worse, this cat eats from his dog bowl, sleeps in his basket, and gets all the attention! Calvin will never like Gloria, and he will certainly never share anything with her. Or will he? With a kid-friendly text and light, expressive illustrations, this is the perfect tale for every child who has ever begrudgingly shared the spotlight.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1–Here's another look at the age-old predicament of feeling supplanted by an unwelcome newcomer to the household. Calvin, a small dog, is perfectly happy being the only animal in the house until, out of the blue (Nobody asked me), a cat named Gloria moves in. Feeling ignored and unsure of his status, Calvin states fervently, I don't like Gloria. The family pays more attention to the newly adopted feline than to the familiar pup, which upsets Calvin's comfortable routine. The animals remain adversaries until the two learn they share a common feeling when yet another pet is brought home, displacing them both. The digitally colored pencil illustrations, in aqua, pink, and yellow with flashes of red, have a '50s appearance. There is not much action in the pictures but, with plenty of facial expressions, meaning is freely communicated. The type on the spreads is large and will appeal to beginning readers. A humorous look at a familiar situation.–Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI
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Review

"For sheer, high-spirited inventiveness, there's little to beat [Kaye Umansky]... an invigorating blend of anarchy and humour destined to charm the most reluctant reader." She" --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (January 9, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763632023
• ISBN-13: 978-0763632021
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 0.4 x 10.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,395,450 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Paperback not the same as the hardcover, December 9, 2009

By 

Melissa Marino "Lisa M." (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: I Dont Like Gloria (Paperback)

I am very disappointed that the paperback edition I received contains many changes in the text of the story I was familiar with, including changing the dog's name to Colin instead of Calvin???!!!! I don't understand why this would be done, as well as why the wording was changed throughout the story. My daughter had me read the hardcover edition from the library so many times and the version I just received just does not flow the same. I am very disappointed and will be looking for the original that we liked so much.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny & quirky, February 20, 2009

By 

Mommy O' Two "Maggie" (MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Don't Like Gloria! (Hardcover)

My son, age 3 and daughter, age 6 both LOVE this book. The great news...so do I! It cracks us all up. Because of its simplicity, the kids feel they can "almost" read it on their own. That makes them feel special, and encourages their love of books and reading. The illustrations are so adorable, and retro...and I would definitely say that with this book, "less is more". If you don't buy it, check it out at the library. Then, I'm sure you'll soon buy it! My kids actually "get" the dog's sarcasm in this book. Love it. Love Calvin. Love Gloria.

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally- a realistic children's book.., December 30, 2008

By 

Alvie "alvie_singer" (Napa, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: I Don't Like Gloria! (Hardcover)

Okay, that's a bit of an exaggeration but this is one of the few that doesn't necessarily have a happy ending. It's a real world story that things don't always go your way & that sometimes you have things happen that must require compromise. That is if you want to find "meaning" in things, which I don't think is always required. Sometimes didactic requirements many place on kids' books are a bit annoying.

The illustrations (including text) are spot on. Kuddos to both author & illustrator.

Won't give away the story (as it has kind of a twist ending) but will say we read this book almost every day to our 2 year old & he thinks it hilarious. We think it's pretty funny too.