Skunk's Spring Surprise [Hardcover]

Leslea Newman (Author), Valeri Gorbachev (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 2 and up

When Skunk wakes from her long winter nap, she can't wait to see all her friends. But they're nowhere to be found! Do they think she stinks? Poor Skunk is fuming ... until she discovers the real reason her friends are missing.

    

In this charming companion to Where Is Bear?, Lesléa Newman and Valeri Gorbachev have once again created a funny and warm story about doing whatever it takes to show friends how important they are.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Waking from her winter's sleep, ready for fun, Skunk eagerly looks for her friends. She finally finds them by the lake, waiting with a special treat--a talent show, just for her. Turtle, in leaf skirt, dances; Chipmunk juggles; Snake and Ladybug sing a song. At the end of the show, Skunk contributes a surprise of her own: an ode to spring and to her beloved friends. With bouncy rhymes and a cheery^B animal cast, this companion to Where Is Bear? (2004) is sure to be a lively read-aloud. The colorful watercolor-and-ink art has some clever details (while Bear snoozes away underground, Skunk passes overhead), and the bubbly prose incorporates occasional witty references to skunk traits, though hibernation isn't directly explained. Little ones will find this merry animal celebration hard to resist. Shelle Rosenfeld
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

VALERI GORBACHEV has illustrated more than forty books for children, including his own Big Little Elephant and Skunk's Spring Surprise by Lesl�a Newman. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Hardcover: 44 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books; 1 edition (January 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152056831
• ISBN-13: 978-0152056834
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #779,117 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lesléa Newman is the author of 64 books for readers of all ages including the middle grade novel, HACHIKO WAITS, the poetry collection, STILL LIFE WITH BUDDY, the short story collection, A LETTER TO HARVEY MILK, and the children's books A SWEET PASSOVER, THE BOY WHO CRIED FABULOUS, THE BEST CAT IN THE WORLD, DONOVAN'S BIG DAY, and HEATHER HAS TWO MOMMIES. Her literary awards include poetry fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Massachusetts Artists Foundation. Nine of her books have been Lambda Literary Award finalists. A past poet laureate of Northampton, Massachusetts, she is a faculty member of Spalding University's brief-residency MFA in Writing program.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Did the illustrator even read the book?, September 4, 2010

By 

Mindy (North Carolina, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Skunk's Spring Surprise (Hardcover)

The written story is pretty good but I wonder if the illustrator even bothered reading it before he did the illustrations. For example: Skunk's friends are waiting for her on the sand beside the lake. The picture shows them on a log. The Turtle is referred to as "he" however the pictures has the turtle wearing a leaf as a skirt. Ant swings Beetle by the knees but the illustration shows them floating in the air holding on to a leaf. Fox tells a joke but the pictures make it look like he's doing a magic trick with a hat.

I know it sounds like a small thing but you know, at this age kids use the pictures to understand the story and the pictures are *not* supporting the text. It's very frustrating. The editor and the illustrator should have devoted more time to this since the story is a good one, just executed poorly.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fun Story, February 12, 2010

By 

Mom 4 Rent (Denver, Colorado) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Skunk's Spring Surprise (Hardcover)

This is a book that children find exciting, and love the surprise at the end of the book. Skunk's Spring Surprise, is a delightful story of a young skunk who is looking for her friends.

5.0 out of 5 stars awesome kids book., June 8, 2008

By 

jane doe "happy mom" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Skunk's Spring Surprise (Hardcover)

this is such a great book my child loves to hear it and is one of her favorites.