WE GATHER TOGETHER... NOW PLEASE GET LOST!
by Diane deGroat
DeGroat brings back Gilbert, the young hedgehog/porcupine, in a story that resounds with getting one’s just deserts. Gilbert is so torqued about going on a field trip to Pilgrim Town that he tosses and turns all night. But then he ends up with Philip, the class tattletale, as his partner for the day. Philip is annoying—he has threatened to tell on Gilbert for a minor infraction before they are even off the bus—and Gilbert cuts him absolutely no slack. Particularly when they get the Pilgrim Town, where he does nothing but hide from Philip. Then Gilbert inadvertently gets locked in the bathroom and scary visions of being trapped all night dance through his mind. But Philip saves the day and Gilbert gets sprung. Gilbert decides that Philip just might be an okay buddy, given half a chance. DeGroat’s illustrations—handsome watercolors on two-page spreads—serve as ideal scene-setters for this thoughtful reminder that you never know who your friends are, or will be, and so everybody deserves a break—especially the class sad sack. (Picture book. 5-8)