Eat Up, Gemma [Hardcover]

Sarah Hayes (Author), Jan Ormerod (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1988 | Age Level: 4 and up

Baby Gemma refuses to eat, throwing her breakfast on the floor and squashing her grapes, until her brother gets an inspired idea.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Toddler Gemma is urged to "Eat up!" But despite continual encouragement from her mother, father, grandmother and brother, Gemma refuses to comply. Instead she takes matters into her own hands: she throws her breakfast on the floor, squashes grapes one by one, bangs her spoon on the table and feeds her dinner to the dog. When Gemma finally does decide to eat, she chooses not only an unusual time and place but also a festively presented meal. Hayes first introduced the independent Gemma in Happy Christmas Gemma , and this second book is as warm and upbeat as the first. Exuberant, gaily colored illustrations complement the brief, concise text. Ages 2-6.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreS Gemma of Happy Christmas, Gemma (Lothrop, 1986) returns in another story told by her bemused and inventive older brother. Here she's going through that frustrating (for parents) stage of being unwilling to eat anything. She throws her breakfast on the floor, and she bangs her spoon instead of eating with it. Finally, she becomes fascinated, while at church, with the artificial fruit on the hat of the woman who sits in front of the family, which gives her older brother an idea. As before, the text does not imply race, but Ormerod extends Hayes' witty prose with warm and lively illustrations of a black family dealing with a common problem, thus adding her own dimension to the story. Gemma, as before, is a lovable creation: stretching, banging, reaching, and conveying with every line the lively curiosity of her age group. When she finally begins to eat, no one is more thrilled than Gemma, last seen triumphantly flourishing a banana. This story sustains the first book's depiction of a warm and loving family, sometimes frustrated but always willing to understand and care for its youngest member. Christine Behrmann, New York Public Library
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 28 pages
• Publisher: Lothrop, Lee and Shepard Books (September 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688081495
• ISBN-13: 978-0688081492
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,683,420 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Baby Gemma refuses to eat, and her family is out of ideas -, April 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Eat Up, Gemma (Hardcover)

Story of a family's attempt to encourage baby Gemma to eat. Problem is finally solved by an enterprising older brother who disguises fruit to look like a lady's hat. Entertaining story, beautiful art, although I was struck by fact that story showed no racial diversity in the family's black neighborhood and church. Story should easily hold interest of preschoolers, and younger.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book, but unfortunately out of print, a situation which needs to be rectified, July 9, 2010

By 

NovaAlto (Davenport, IA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eat Up, Gemma (Paperback)

As a mother and a librarian, I know young parents would enjoy the release this book brings. Loving family and supportive community portrayed, colorful pictures, humourous resolution. Why is it out of print? Please, will someone bring it back into print?

0 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars my favorite book., May 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Eat Up, Gemma (Paperback)

This is hit book. It is both imaginative and fun. I would readit more than once. i fav character is genma. She is fat. gets theworms,.