Gabby

by Joyce Grant, Jan Dolby

Rainforest of Reading Award nominee, 2014 On CCBC's Best Books for Kids and Teens list 2013 On Ontario Library Association Best Bets List 2013 Gabby reaches up, up, up, to put away her last book when suddenly, the book tumbles out of her hand and the letters inside scatter around her playroom! Before Gabby can collect them all, the letters take on a life of their own, "spelling" disaster! Will Gabby manage to tame her new "word-mates" and show them how letters can also make "f-r-i-e-n-d-s"?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship, Fantasy, Humor, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published November 30, 2012

About the author

Joyce Grant is a freelance journalist and professor at Humber College.
Her books:
* CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? How to Spot Fake News and Find the Facts (illus Kathleen Marcotte)
* SLIDING HOME and TAGGED OUT, fast-paced MG baseball novels
* GABBY picture book (illus Jan Dolby)
* GABBY: WONDER GIRL
* GABBY: DRAMA QUEEN
Joyce also publishes the internationally award-winning kid-friendly news website, TeachingKidsNews.com.

Reviews

[Lisa Dalrymple · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun story about letters and the magical things they can do. I love this book as it's not didactic but, rather, it teaches kids through their sheer engagement with Gabby and her dilemma when all of the letters fall out of her book, leaving her with a cat and a bird and big trouble!
The art is engaging and textured in that way that serves to pull readers further into the book as they reach out to touch it and the 2 pages of extension activities provide fun ideas for kids to try at home or school. Terrific!

[Janine Brouillette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute book with great illustrations for little girls ages 3 - 7. Gabby is a cute little girl with red pigtails and glasses who has a book that tumbles out of her hands and spills letters all over her room. "The C was on the carpet, T on the table, and F on the floor." The letters not only spill out but come together and form words such as bird and cat. Not only does she see these words.....but the animals suddenly appear in her room. The author, Joyce Grant, includes activities such as "make your own letters, how to draw, and other fun activities at the end of the book.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

When the letters spill from her book, Gabby gathers them up and makes simple words, including cat, fish, and bird. As each word forms, the animal it represents appears on the page. Gabby has to make another word quickly since the three aren't getting along. After they become friends, she can go back to her reading. The illustrations are filled with bright colors and a smiling Gabby, and back matter includes two activity pages to add to readers' enjoyment of the book.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to spend some more time with this. Joyce Grant is an early literacy advocate and has a website teachingkidsnews.com and a blog gkreading.com

A great letter recognition and phonological/print awareness book. Like I said...my copy is going out on reserve but I intend to read again. Last page offers literacy activites, too.

[Ann Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabby is an adorable (and smart) heroine who starts making sense of what it means to read when letters start falling out of her books. This is a delightful story that will be enjoyed by both parents and kids. Highly recommended.

[Michelle Kadarusman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is our go-to picture book at Raising Readers to inspire some fun literacy activities. The kids are always very responsive to the bold & colourful illustrations and Gabby's plucky character. Highly recommended for a classroom setting, or to read at home.

[Marie Cataquet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from a good reads giveaway. Gabby is a fun book for early readers. I liked when Gabby's letters spilled out of the book and actually showed things that are actually the spelling of the words. My son really enjoyed looking for the frog on every page.

[Brindi Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun and unique picture book for children that is perfect for beginning readers. Plus, the extension activities in the back of the book are great interactive ideas.

[Angela Misri · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book for kids just starting to get into reading!

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

First page in, I recognize the heroine, Gabby, as totally relatable.

Meanwhile, I'm laughing at the state of her room. Soon the plot really gets going:

Lively letters don't just litter Gabby's playroom. They come alive, and mix in with ordinary things like an armchair.

Then those letters make words.

OF COURSE, IN REAL LIFE
DISCOVERIES ABOUT LETTERS AND WORDS LEAD TO READING

It's so important to devote a lively, relatable picture book to the process of learning how to read. Well, this one is AMAZEBALLS!

Today I started reading "Proust and the Squid" by Marianne Wolf. Joyce Grant, I'm very sure that world-renowned reading expert and neuroscientist would be cheering you on, if she had a chance to read this important picture book.

As for you, the colorful character named Jan Dolby, your illustrations strike me as SUPERB.

Thank you, Joyce and Jan!

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book falls from Gabby's bookshelf and letters bounce out. She puts letters together to spell different words.

[Tanaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this picture book. I can see parents using it to teach their kids how to spell and also highlight the importance of friendship. The illustrations that accompany the writing are beautiful; it was a pleasure to turn each page and see a new one.