Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink (Paperback)

by Diane Degroat (Author, Illustrator) "Gilbert thought the poem was funny, but maybe Lewis wouldn't..." (more)

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. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (January 20, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688152201
• ISBN-13: 978-0688152208
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.7 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #169,714 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Roz Levine (Virginia) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

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.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

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

By A Customer

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.

12 of 12 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

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.