Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink [Library Binding]

Diane De Groat (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1996 | Age Level: 5 and up

When Gilbert writes two not-so-nice valentines to his classmates, his prank quickly turns into pandemonium. But there's always time for a change of heart of Valentine's Day. This warm and funny book about a favorite holiday also provides a subtle message about forgiveness and being a good friend. Ages 5 up.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Following teacher's orders, Gilbert, a fuzzy-looking woodland creature, inscribes Valentines for his classmates, devising "nice" rhymes for each. But his bonhomie disappears when he comes to Lewis, who tweaked Gilbert's nose, and Margaret, who teased him about his glasses. As the clever, kid-obliging title attests, Gilbert does not make nice on their cards; to escape the consequences, he signs Margaret's name to Lewis's Valentine and vice versa. Of course, when neither receives a card signed with Gilbert's name, the identity of the prankster is clear. In a predictable resolution to this sweet if minor tale, Gilbert does the right thing and composes friendly Valentines to the two, who apologize for having hurt his feelings. The winning touch here is de Groat's (Annie Pitts, Swamp Monster) characteristically buoyant watercolor art, which features an amiable crew of assorted animals, many festively clad in Valentine's Day-appropriate reds and pinks. Ages 5-up.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2?Gilbert writes not-so-nice Valentine poems for two rude classmates and signs their names to the cards. Since Margaret and Lewis both receive two Valentines from each other?one good and one bad?and none from Gilbert, his ploy is discovered and all the students ostracize him. The dilemma is resolved when all three apologize and Gilbert writes them new poems and shares his homemade cookies. Human foibles, humorously yet accurately revealed, are given practical, realistic, nondidactic solutions. DeGroat's delightful anthropomorphic critters are usually shown from readers' point of view, which draws them into the action. But occasionally the artist places Gilbert in a bird's-eye, omniscient view. Large, two-page watercolor spreads and a simple but smooth third-person narrative make this book a good choice for group sharing.?Claudia Cooper, Ft. Stockton Independent School District, TX
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Library Binding
• Publisher: William Morrow & Co Library (February 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688136052
• ISBN-13: 978-0688136055
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,408,698 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Diane deGroat is the illustrator of more than 120 children's books and the author-illustrator of other bestselling books about Gilbert, including Mother, You're the Best! (But Sister, You're a Pest!); Last One in Is a Rotten Egg!; Trick or Treat, Smell my Feet; Jingle Bells, Homework Smells; Happy Birthday to You, You Belong in a Zoo; No More Pencils, No More Books, No More Teacher's Dirty Looks!; Brand-new Pencils, Brand-new Books; and the New York Times bestseller roses are pink, your feet really stink. She lives in Amherst, Massachusetts.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Valentine's Day with a Message, January 30, 2001

By 

Roz Levine - See all my reviews

This review is from: Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink (Paperback)

Gilbert has a real dilemma. He's writing poems on his Valentine cards, for his classmates, but doesn't want to write something nice to Lewis and Margaret. Lewis tweaked his nose and made it red and Margaret said mean things about him in front of the class. So he decides to write each an unkind poem and instead of signing his own name, since he's afraid they'll be angry, he signs Lewis's name to Margaret's card and Margaret's name to Lewis's Valentine. It doesn't take long before Margaret and Lewis figure out who really gave them these mean cards and they, along with the rest of the class won't have anything to do with Gilbert. First he has to eat lunch all alone, no one will sit with him and at then at recess, no one will play with him. As soon as he gets back to class, Gilbert gets to work making new cards for Lewis and Margaret and apologizing for his unkindness. As the class party begins all is forgiven and Lewis, Margaret and Gilbert are friends again..... Diane De Groat has written a simple, charming story with a powerful message about the importance of second chances, that youngsters 4-8 will easily understand. Her gentle text and wonderful watercolor illustrations really capture the small hurts and slights kids experience and her positive, uplifting ending and sensible solution should open good discussions at home and at school.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Valentines are hearts...., February 2, 1998

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink (Hardcover)

Make yours good from the start. Kids will love the funny (and sometimes not so nice) rhymes. The watercolors are charming and the message is good. Gilbert discovers that what appears to be meanness is often just a misunderstanding. He also learns that two wrongs don't make a right. The author conveys these "feel good" messages without being too heavy handed. This is a great book to read with your children before they embark on writing their own valentines.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good story to teach about other's feelings, July 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink (Paperback)

I really enjoyed this book. It shows how sometimes getting even may not be the best solution. Sometimes children don't realize how what they do can affect others. In this story, Gilbert learns this lesson the hard way. He sends two not-so-nice valentines to two of his classmates who had done something ugly to him. Instead of making him feel better, he ends up feeling awful. His classmates didn't want to be friends with someone who would say mean things about others. He swallows his pride and makes new valentines to apologize for the way he acted. This book is a good way to integrate character education in elementary school. It has a serious message but does not come across too strong.