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Gem
Look carefully. There may be a gem in your garden.
For nearly four decades, watercolorist Holly Hobbie has drawn inspiration from the wonders of nature. During one especially hard winter, she found herself imagining the story of a determined toad's spring journey. Her vivid depiction of this endearing creature's glorious yet fragile world is a sparkling celebration of survival and renewal. From the muddy brown road outside a farmhouse to the sweet-smelling garden to the cool lily pads in the pond, readers will feel their senses rejuvenated by Holly Hobbie's gemlike, detailed paintings in this nearly wordless work.
For nearly four decades, watercolorist Holly Hobbie has drawn inspiration from the wonders of nature. During one especially hard winter, she found herself imagining the story of a determined toad's spring journey. Her vivid depiction of this endearing creature's glorious yet fragile world is a sparkling celebration of survival and renewal. From the muddy brown road outside a farmhouse to the sweet-smelling garden to the cool lily pads in the pond, readers will feel their senses rejuvenated by Holly Hobbie's gemlike, detailed paintings in this nearly wordless work.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published April 3, 2012
1 person is currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Holly Hobbie
97 books97 followersBirthed with the name of Denise Holly Ulinskas in 1944, Holly Hobbie first sold her distinctive artwork of the little cat-loving girl who carries herself in a rag dress and giant bonnet. It wasn’t until she married Douglas Hobbie in 1964 when she named her originally nameless character after her.
When the first images of the rag-clothed little girl came to the public’s consciousness, the character has been nothing but the most common design chosen to grace greeting cards. When the girl’s popularity started to soar high, that’s when people started to adopt the name “Holly Hobbie” in reference to the character’s creator.
When the first images of the rag-clothed little girl came to the public’s consciousness, the character has been nothing but the most common design chosen to grace greeting cards. When the girl’s popularity started to soar high, that’s when people started to adopt the name “Holly Hobbie” in reference to the character’s creator.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
July 4, 2021
While I tend to much prefer written narrative based to wordless picture books (and mostly because as an inherently textual person, I often rather end up a bit lost if there are only illustrations, if there basically are no printed words alongside the featured artwork), I do have to admit that Holly Hobbie’s 2012 wordless (or rather I should say for the most part wordless) creation Gem has been in all ways quite wonderful, quite delightful.
Because for one and unlike so often for me with wordless picture books, Holly Hobbie’s lushly earth and vegetation toned illustrations are colourful enough and with sufficient visual detail to be aesthetically pleasing and enjoyable (not to mention enlightening and engaging) but also never too complicated in aesthetic set-up so as to become potentially confusing for those of us who usually would rather be reading words, for those of us who in fact usually require a written narrative. And yes, this (a presented word penned text) Gem does in my humble opinion not really even all that much require, since the simple but powerful illustrations Holly Hobbie provides do not just tell a sweet little illustrated account that one can indeed quite easily follow with only pictures, Gem also and very clearly just with and by visual images shows some of the many dangers that toads often have to face, such as for example the wheels of a car or the talons of a hungry and looking for sustenance bird of prey, a raptor like a hawk.
And furthermore, and for two, the written letters at the beginning and at the end of Gem, they also provide more than enough verbal background to both make Gem the toad’s wordless journey absolutely crystal clear without the need for more words within the “text” proper, and also very much strengthen Holly Hobbie’s intended message that wildlife needs to be left alone, that toads should not be taken from their environment to be made into pets (and yes, with Hobbie’s list of basic toad facts being the icing on the cake for me, and indeed, that I am also rather surprising myself in so far that I really do not really think that Gem absolutely requires a bibliography with suggestions for further reading, albeit yes, that this inclusion would in my opinion make Gem even better, as such a listing would of course also and hopefully feature further and a bit more extensive and intensive picture books about toads and frogs to discover).
Because for one and unlike so often for me with wordless picture books, Holly Hobbie’s lushly earth and vegetation toned illustrations are colourful enough and with sufficient visual detail to be aesthetically pleasing and enjoyable (not to mention enlightening and engaging) but also never too complicated in aesthetic set-up so as to become potentially confusing for those of us who usually would rather be reading words, for those of us who in fact usually require a written narrative. And yes, this (a presented word penned text) Gem does in my humble opinion not really even all that much require, since the simple but powerful illustrations Holly Hobbie provides do not just tell a sweet little illustrated account that one can indeed quite easily follow with only pictures, Gem also and very clearly just with and by visual images shows some of the many dangers that toads often have to face, such as for example the wheels of a car or the talons of a hungry and looking for sustenance bird of prey, a raptor like a hawk.
And furthermore, and for two, the written letters at the beginning and at the end of Gem, they also provide more than enough verbal background to both make Gem the toad’s wordless journey absolutely crystal clear without the need for more words within the “text” proper, and also very much strengthen Holly Hobbie’s intended message that wildlife needs to be left alone, that toads should not be taken from their environment to be made into pets (and yes, with Hobbie’s list of basic toad facts being the icing on the cake for me, and indeed, that I am also rather surprising myself in so far that I really do not really think that Gem absolutely requires a bibliography with suggestions for further reading, albeit yes, that this inclusion would in my opinion make Gem even better, as such a listing would of course also and hopefully feature further and a bit more extensive and intensive picture books about toads and frogs to discover).
September 13, 2012
This little toad just won me over!!! He is sooo adorable, so expressive, so humorous and so compelling. I just fell in love with this little guy and I have to give the book four stars for that. The majority of the story--involving Gem, the toad--is told through illustrations alone; it is framed by a touching letter from a grandma to her granddaughter, and a reply from the granddaughter. I very much appreciated the message that toads--like all wild creatures--are not meant to be captured or kept as pets (no matter how gentle and caring the child finding them might be). The back matter contains a bit more factual information about toads--nothing extensive, but perhaps enough to pique the interest of little ones to learn more. I've always been a Holly Hobbie fan (love those sunbonnet girls from my childhood in the 80s!); this is a very different style, but I still adore it.
April 7, 2019
Using the framing device of a letter exchange between grandmother and granddaughter - perhaps this was a real exchange between author/artist Holly Hobbie and her own granddaughter? - this mostly wordless picture-book follows the adventures of one little toad. Making his way through a number of dangerous situations - crossing a road, passing a pond - our batrachian hero eventually finds himself in a garden, where he is confronted with a young girl who wants to play with him. Fortunately, her better instincts prevail, and he is soon free again...
Like many of the better wordless picture-books available - titles like David Wiesner's Flotsam , or Sector 7 , or Raymond Briggs' The Snowman - Holly Hobbie's Gem manages to tell a story with artwork alone, and to tell it well. The illustrations, done in watercolor and in pen and ink, are just lovely, capturing the fresh feeling of a spring day in the country, and communicating all the excitement of Gem's journey. While the opening and closing letters might be said to offer a written narrative, the story would work just as well without them. Highly recommended to all young would-be herpetologists, and to anyone looking for wordless picture-books.
Like many of the better wordless picture-books available - titles like David Wiesner's Flotsam , or Sector 7 , or Raymond Briggs' The Snowman - Holly Hobbie's Gem manages to tell a story with artwork alone, and to tell it well. The illustrations, done in watercolor and in pen and ink, are just lovely, capturing the fresh feeling of a spring day in the country, and communicating all the excitement of Gem's journey. While the opening and closing letters might be said to offer a written narrative, the story would work just as well without them. Highly recommended to all young would-be herpetologists, and to anyone looking for wordless picture-books.
July 12, 2012
I was so very excited that Holly Hobbie came out with a new book. Little did I know how gorgeous the format would be. A lovely letter from a grandmother in the beginning, a wordless picture book in the middle, and a thoughtful letter from a granddaughter at the end. The story following a toad and then the informative back portion about toads was a beautiful completion of the book. I think I'd partner this with Melvin and the Boy by Lauren Castillo since children in both books think about having a creature as a pet and then decide to release them instead. Here's my favorite Holly Hobbie so far which is saying a lot, I'm a huge fan. I think this one could be a Caldecott contender...
March 2, 2012
Lovely wordless story framed between letters exchanged between a grandmother and granddaughter.
February 23, 2019
Beautiful illustrations. Great book to read while waiting for spring.
August 26, 2020
Read on openlibrary. So lovely. Story wordless, naturally, but preface and epilogue important and interesting.
April 8, 2024
The illustrations are exquisite. Tot was happy to look at them together.
August 1, 2022
Really charming book. No words, just pretty watercolors following a little frog.
November 19, 2015
Summary: Gem is the main character of a wordless book. He is a little toad that makes his way into a garden. The pictures are beautiful and expressive and there is a lot of detail that can be discussed by a class during a read aloud. It also has two letters; one at the beginning and one at the end that would be great to share. It gives the story perspective. This book would be a great pre-reading tool.
Activity: I could see this book being useful for two grade levels; for pre-K and kindergarten and third graders. It is a visual book with lots of detail and a relatable story line that the kids could examine. They could then work in groups to create a picture story for an animal that they have seen before. What happened before they found it? What happened afterwards?
Another possibility would be with third graders. Read the letter at the begnning of the story, examine the story, then read the letter at the end. The illustrator and her granddaughter shared a special moment. Use this as a way to teach about letter format and content. Have them write a letter to a parent, grandparent, guardian, or other relative about a special moment that they shared together. They may choose to include a picture, if they wish. Have them fold it up and save them for parent teacher conferences so that they can be sent to the recipient. Read the letters and examine the pictures for propriety first.
APA:
Hobbie, Holly. (2012). Gem. Hachette Book Group: China.
Activity: I could see this book being useful for two grade levels; for pre-K and kindergarten and third graders. It is a visual book with lots of detail and a relatable story line that the kids could examine. They could then work in groups to create a picture story for an animal that they have seen before. What happened before they found it? What happened afterwards?
Another possibility would be with third graders. Read the letter at the begnning of the story, examine the story, then read the letter at the end. The illustrator and her granddaughter shared a special moment. Use this as a way to teach about letter format and content. Have them write a letter to a parent, grandparent, guardian, or other relative about a special moment that they shared together. They may choose to include a picture, if they wish. Have them fold it up and save them for parent teacher conferences so that they can be sent to the recipient. Read the letters and examine the pictures for propriety first.
APA:
Hobbie, Holly. (2012). Gem. Hachette Book Group: China.
March 11, 2013
Holly Hobbie is one of those real life people who has transcended her worldly existence into becoming a fictional icon. This began, of course, with her Holly Hobbbie drawings which in turn became Holly Hobbie and friends — characters whom filled my ever waking thought when I was in preschool through to about second grade. Now as an adult, I have rediscovered Holly Hobbie, the author and illustrator through her more recently published books such as Everything But the Horse (review coming) and Gem.
Gem is a wordless picture book that is introduced with a letter from "Gram" where she asks her grand-daughter to imagine a spring day adventure, even though it's still the middle of a harsh winter. What follows, all in pictures, is the adventure of a determined toad.
While Everything But the Horse is autobiographical and rather wordy, Gem is just Hobbie's delightful watercolors. They are so intricate and yet whimsical. They capture so perfectly those little moments in a garden. The toad's journey through the garden provides a tour through flower beds, puddles, tall grasses and all number of other scenery.
Gem is a wordless picture book that is introduced with a letter from "Gram" where she asks her grand-daughter to imagine a spring day adventure, even though it's still the middle of a harsh winter. What follows, all in pictures, is the adventure of a determined toad.
While Everything But the Horse is autobiographical and rather wordy, Gem is just Hobbie's delightful watercolors. They are so intricate and yet whimsical. They capture so perfectly those little moments in a garden. The toad's journey through the garden provides a tour through flower beds, puddles, tall grasses and all number of other scenery.
October 24, 2012
When I saw a new book by Holly Hobbie I instantly knew I had to read it. She was a staple from my childhood. This book is absolutely delightful. There are only two pages of words and they are in the form of letters between grandmother and granddaughter (Holly and Hope). The rest of the pages are done in watercolor and portray the daily life of the toad, Gem. This is a perfect book for a beginning reader. They can tell the story themselves based on what they see on the pages. I would use this book for my students who are, as I stated before, beginning readers or are having difficulties grasping the concept. It is also a great book to use as a beginning writing proficiency. Students could be asked to write a story based on what they see. I could then take it a step further and ask the students to continue the story of Gem without the pictures of the book. That would incorporate the higher stages of Blooms. This book ideally would be used for K-6, but I think that it has great appeal for all ages.
Hobbie, Holly. Gem. First ed. New York: Little, Brown, 2012. Print
Hobbie, Holly. Gem. First ed. New York: Little, Brown, 2012. Print
June 3, 2013
This is just a gem of a book. Sorry, I had to.
This sweet book starts out with a letter from a grandmother to her granddaughter talking about a very cold winter that seemed to last forever. She says the only thing that got her through that winter was remembering a spring when her granddaughter had found a toad and named it Gem. She spent the winter painting pictures of the toad's life, and the rest of the book is made up of these pictures (without words).
At the end, we read the granddaughter's letter response after she has seen the book her grandmother made.
I thought this was darling. The pictures are beautiful and sweet. I love the correspondence at the beginning and end.
This book has a special place in my heart because of my own little backyard adventurers who will surely be catching toads of their own someday (right now it's slugs and worms).
This sweet book starts out with a letter from a grandmother to her granddaughter talking about a very cold winter that seemed to last forever. She says the only thing that got her through that winter was remembering a spring when her granddaughter had found a toad and named it Gem. She spent the winter painting pictures of the toad's life, and the rest of the book is made up of these pictures (without words).
At the end, we read the granddaughter's letter response after she has seen the book her grandmother made.
I thought this was darling. The pictures are beautiful and sweet. I love the correspondence at the beginning and end.
This book has a special place in my heart because of my own little backyard adventurers who will surely be catching toads of their own someday (right now it's slugs and worms).
October 26, 2012
One winter, Holly Hobbie started to wonder about a toad her granddaughter once found in the garden. Her wondering led to this book. Readers will find out how the toad came to be in the garden in the first place.
What I thought: I always enjoy wordless picture books and Gem is a great one. I can predict the fun I'll have during story time with this book. I love to give the children an opportunity to tell me the story. The illustrations are fantastic. Watercolor is one of my favorite mediums. (Beatrix Potter gets the credit for my love of watercolor.) I love the soft vibrancy of the colors and the excellent use of white space. I also like hoe the illustrations all show some movement.
Story Time Themes: Wordless Books, Toads, Spring
What I thought: I always enjoy wordless picture books and Gem is a great one. I can predict the fun I'll have during story time with this book. I love to give the children an opportunity to tell me the story. The illustrations are fantastic. Watercolor is one of my favorite mediums. (Beatrix Potter gets the credit for my love of watercolor.) I love the soft vibrancy of the colors and the excellent use of white space. I also like hoe the illustrations all show some movement.
Story Time Themes: Wordless Books, Toads, Spring
September 22, 2012
Full review at Cracking the Cover
“Gem,” the story of a little toad’s adventures is told almost exclusively with illustrations. The above letter at the very beginning and a return missive from Hope at the very end make up the only text in this charming picture book.
As always, Holly Hobbie’s watercolors are beautiful. A mix of full spreads and simpler single-page illustrations explore Gem’s journey from a home lily pond to a muddy road and a truck to hopping away from a predator and being caught by a curious little girl. The beauty of “Gem” is that words aren’t needed. Holly’s expressive artwork speaks for itself.
“Gem,” the story of a little toad’s adventures is told almost exclusively with illustrations. The above letter at the very beginning and a return missive from Hope at the very end make up the only text in this charming picture book.
As always, Holly Hobbie’s watercolors are beautiful. A mix of full spreads and simpler single-page illustrations explore Gem’s journey from a home lily pond to a muddy road and a truck to hopping away from a predator and being caught by a curious little girl. The beauty of “Gem” is that words aren’t needed. Holly’s expressive artwork speaks for itself.
April 4, 2012
"Look carefully. There may be a gem in your garden. For nearly four decades, watercolorist Holly Hobbie has drawn inspiration from the wonders of nature. During one especially hard winter, she found herself imagining the story of a determined toad's spring journey. Her vivid depiction of this endearing creature's glorious yet fragile world is a sparkling celebration of survival and renewal. From the muddy brown road outside a farmhouse to the sweet-smelling garden to the cool lily pads in the pond, readers will feel their senses rejuvenated by Holly Hobbie's gemlike, detailed paintings in this nearly wordless work." (Goodreads blurb)
Ages 3-7
Ages 3-7
May 5, 2012
Here's a book that kept me guessing. Starting out with a lengthy handwritten letter from Gram to her granddaughter Hope, I thought this would be a complex, wordy story. Not so! After the first page, the art takes over, and we follow the wordless adventures of little Gem the toad who survives nearly being hit by a car and being chased by a hungry hawk until he's rescued by a little girl, and set free in a nighttime garden full of flies. The book is appended with a few toad facts. Many of the watercolor, pen and ink illustrations would be lovely as framed art - particularly those scenes featuring Gem happily hidden amidst the greenery.
June 23, 2012
This book is awesome! Only recently have I discovered wordless picture books through the books we are reading with Sonlight P3/4 yet so far I've been a little bored with them. I might just hand the book to AppleBlossom and let her look, but I would probably not sit and "read" through the pages with her. Gem, however is different.
What a treasure! I find myself giggling, gasping and even grinning again while flipping these pages. There is definitely opportunity with this book. Expand the imagination and open up for discussion. I've known I liked and enjoyed Holly Hobbie's art, but this is fantastic! :)
*Thanks to LB Kids for providing a copy for review.*
What a treasure! I find myself giggling, gasping and even grinning again while flipping these pages. There is definitely opportunity with this book. Expand the imagination and open up for discussion. I've known I liked and enjoyed Holly Hobbie's art, but this is fantastic! :)
*Thanks to LB Kids for providing a copy for review.*
October 7, 2015
Gem is the story of a grandmother recounting the adventure of a frog reaching her garden. The only text is on the first and last pages - the story is told through delicate watercolor and ink illustrations that capture the joys and challenges of Gem the toad.
This book is great for exploring the power of illustrations as readers are immersed in the journey of Gem. A familiar story, readers can connect with the granddaughters experience of finding a creature in the wild, and knowing it is best to let it be free.
This book is great for exploring the power of illustrations as readers are immersed in the journey of Gem. A familiar story, readers can connect with the granddaughters experience of finding a creature in the wild, and knowing it is best to let it be free.
October 15, 2019
This book is so precious! I love the way that the story is mostly wordless despite the letters being exchanged between Hope and her grandma. I think that although there are not many words to tell the story, the illustrations are able to tell the story of how Gem the toad was able to find his way to Hope. All of Holly Hobbies illustrations are beautiful, but I especially enjoyed the way she framed her pictures. I thought her use of multiple small illustrations of Gem across the page to show his movements, was very clever and really helped show his journey.
July 7, 2012
How does Holly Hobbie do it? She somehow is able to tell the story of a toad in a way that is both beautiful and fresh and charming without edging into cutesy or preciousness. This wordless book depicts the spring of toad, a spring full of adventures and follies and near-fatal experiences as well as a little romance. The toad is completely at home in the animal world, yet, when he turns to look at us, I can almost see a wink and a grin.
Charming.
Charming.
December 9, 2011
There is a preface letter and a prologue letter between a grandmother and granddaughter that frames this otherwise wordless story of one lucky frog.
Gem is a gem, there's no doubt about it. The watercolors are fine and the story touches on the cycle of life and the natural desire for freedom.
Best for ages 4 & up, grandmothers, and K-2 teachers.
Gem is a gem, there's no doubt about it. The watercolors are fine and the story touches on the cycle of life and the natural desire for freedom.
Best for ages 4 & up, grandmothers, and K-2 teachers.
September 6, 2016
This is a delightfully-illustrated picture book with an important humane message. A toad is followed throughout his adventures, until a little girl captures him. After her grandma sets her straight about the true place of wildlife in our world, the little girl quickly sets him free with the acknowledgement:
Toads are not pets. They want to be free, like everything does.
Toads are not pets. They want to be free, like everything does.
August 15, 2012
EEEEEW! Toads eat their own skin? That is gross. (Fact courtesy of the last page.)
But this is a LOVELY book. The illustrations are so lifelike. The toad's eyes show what he is thinking. ;]
The opening and closing letters are the only words in the book (besides those closing facts). They are all that was needed.
I'm so glad other people can make pictures like this. I can't!
But this is a LOVELY book. The illustrations are so lifelike. The toad's eyes show what he is thinking. ;]
The opening and closing letters are the only words in the book (besides those closing facts). They are all that was needed.
I'm so glad other people can make pictures like this. I can't!
August 15, 2012
Great pictures that show what a toad has to endure to live (not getting run over by a car, bird's dinner). Text in a letter format at the beginning and the end of the story with a few facts about toads at the very end. Pictures are done in a unique way that could lead to some good discussion questions with students.
June 14, 2012
an utterly enchanting wordless picture book, with outstanding paintings framed in white space
September 22, 2019
I love toads.
January 29, 2020
My 4-year-old found this book so engaging. There isn't a single word in the whole book, but the watercolor pictures so such action that it's easy to follow that story.
Talking Points: This frog has lots of bad things almost happen to him, and lots of good things happen to him. What are some of the bad things and good things that you've experienced in life? This from has 16 little frogs, how many children in your family? How many children do you want to have when you grow up? This frog has lots of scary things that almost happen. What things are you scared of? Could you paint or color a tranquil picture? And could you paint or color a picture of something that gives you a tranquil feeling.
Essential Oil Pairing Tip: I'd diffuse doTERRA's Adaptive because it helps us take all that life can throw at us. And this frog has a lot happening to it, from almost getting hit by a car to becoming a dad of 16 little frogs, to almost getting eaten by an hawk and lots of fun times and even tranquil times in between. Life has it's ups and downs and doTERRA's Adaptive essential oil blend helps.
Talking Points: This frog has lots of bad things almost happen to him, and lots of good things happen to him. What are some of the bad things and good things that you've experienced in life? This from has 16 little frogs, how many children in your family? How many children do you want to have when you grow up? This frog has lots of scary things that almost happen. What things are you scared of? Could you paint or color a tranquil picture? And could you paint or color a picture of something that gives you a tranquil feeling.
Essential Oil Pairing Tip: I'd diffuse doTERRA's Adaptive because it helps us take all that life can throw at us. And this frog has a lot happening to it, from almost getting hit by a car to becoming a dad of 16 little frogs, to almost getting eaten by an hawk and lots of fun times and even tranquil times in between. Life has it's ups and downs and doTERRA's Adaptive essential oil blend helps.
March 31, 2022
My 2.5yo loves frogs and toads, and she really liked this book. It's wordless except for a pair of letters between a Grandma and granddaughter that frame the story, and for the most part the paintings tell a great story on their own. There are a couple pages that seem a bit disconnected from the narrative, which is why I've taken off a star. I love how expressive Gem is while still being very realistic.
December 20, 2021
Aside from a short missive at the beginning and end from the author to her granddaughter and vise versa, this book just consists of pictures illustrating the imagined life's journey the two of them found in their garden.
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