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Bink & Gollie #3

Bink & Gollie: Best Friends Forever

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All righty, then! Celebrate the tall and short of a marvelous friendship with a new Bink and Gollie adventure.

Gollie is quite sure she has royal blood in her veins, but can Bink survive her friend’s queenly airs — especially if pancakes are not part of the deal? Bink wonders what it would be like to be as tall as her friend, but how far will she stretch her luck to find out? And when Bink and Gollie long to get their picture into a book of record holders, where will they find the kudos they seek? Slapstick and sweetness, drollery and delight abound in this follow-up to the Geisel Award–winning, New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book Bink and Gollie, written by the beloved and best-selling Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee and brought to hilarious life by Tony Fucile.

81 pages, Hardcover

First published April 23, 2013

25 people are currently reading
878 people want to read

About the author

Kate DiCamillo

163 books11k followers
Kate DiCamillo, the newly named National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature for 2014–2015, says about stories, “When we read together, we connect. Together, we see the world. Together, we see one another.” Born in Philadelphia, the author lives in Minneapolis, where she faithfully writes two pages a day, five days a week.

Kate DiCamillo's own journey is something of a dream come true. After moving to Minnesota from Florida in her twenties, homesickness and a bitter winter helped inspire Because of Winn-Dixie - her first published novel, which, remarkably, became a runaway bestseller and snapped up a Newbery Honor. "After the Newbery committee called me, I spent the whole day walking into walls," she says. "I was stunned. And very, very happy."

Her second novel, The Tiger Rising, went on to become a National Book Award Finalist. Since then, the master storyteller has written for a wide range of ages, including two comical early-chapter-book series - Mercy Watson, which stars a "porcine wonder" with an obsession for buttered toast, and Bink & Gollie, which celebrates the tall and short of a marvelous friendship - as well as a luminous holiday picture book, Great Joy.

Her latest novel, Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures, won the 2014 Newbery Medal. It was released in fall 2013 to great acclaim, including five starred reviews, and was an instant New York Times bestseller. Flora & Ulysses is a laugh-out-loud story filled with eccentric, endearing characters and featuring an exciting new format - a novel interspersed with comic-style graphic sequences and full-page illustrations, all rendered in black and white by up-and-coming artist K. G. Campbell. It was a 2013 Parents' Choice Gold Award Winner and was chosen by Amazon, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and Common Sense Media as a Best Book of the Year.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 185 reviews
Profile Image for Calista.
5,434 reviews31.3k followers
April 23, 2018
This finishes the series. I'm sad about that as I loved the bright shining story of Bink and Gollie. I don't think it was the strongest finish ever and I still enjoyed it. Bink has the best reactions to Gollie sometimes. Bink is tired of being so short and wow, does she ever love pancakes.

They are a great set of friends and this is great reading for that beginning reader stage. It's great story telling. It's fun and exciting and you feel like you know the characters. I will miss Bink & Gollie.

adios.
Profile Image for La Coccinelle.
2,259 reviews3,568 followers
October 25, 2018
This is the third book in the Bink & Gollie series, though I suspect you don't need to have read the second book to get something out of this one (nor would you necessarily need to read these in order). I enjoyed Best Friends Forever, just not quite as much as the first book.

In this installment, Gollie becomes a queen (much to the chagrin of Bink), Bink buys an Acme Stretch-o-Matic (probably from the same catalogue that Wile E. Coyote uses) to make herself taller, and the girls decide they want to get their picture in Flicker's Arcana by developing an extraordinary collection of... something.

I didn't find that the individual stories tied together quite as much as the ones in the first book did. (But I did like how one of Bink's rainbow socks is still in play!) As was the case with the first book, the girls (especially Gollie) use big words that can be puzzled out by kids based on context, and the illustrations are just as cute as ever. (I can totally see these books being used as the basis for an animated series or film.)

Despite not loving this as much as the first book, I still think this is a really strong series. I'll have to see if I can get my hands on the second book at some point!

Quotable moment:

"All righty, then," said Bink. "Let's eat!"

"I shall no longer be cooking pancakes for you, Bink," said Gollie.

"Why not?" said Bink.

"I regret to inform you," said Gollie, "that royalty does not cook for others."

"Oh," said Bink. "Okay. I regret to inform you that I am going home."
Profile Image for Karen.
715 reviews77 followers
March 21, 2013
"Good news, Bink," said Gollie. "I have made an extraordinary discovery."
"I'll be right over," said Bink.
"Good news almost always means pancakes," said Bink.

Seriously. Do y'all understand how much I love Bink and Gollie?
Profile Image for Marika.
211 reviews
January 10, 2013
Before you open this book you must find someone to read it aloud to, or find a young reader to read it to you. Why? As Bink & Gollie know, laughter is better with a friend. Bink and Gollie are back in their third book. Though they may not always see things eye to eye (I mean, Bink is a great deal shorter than Gollie) they always realize being friends is the most important thing in the world-- even more important than pancakes or princesses. Tony Fucile's lively illustrations expand upon the text, adding humor and energy. I hope DiCamillo, McGhee, and Fucile continue the series; every book has been pitch-perfect!
Profile Image for Abigail.
8,011 reviews265 followers
July 25, 2019
Best friends Bink and Gollie, two young girls with very different personalities and approaches to life, return in this third and final collection of stories devoted to their doings. In the initial selection, Gollie decides that she is descended from royalty, and spends a day being a queen, only to discover that friendship and a warm house to shelter in during the rain is preferable to imagined glory. In the second tale, Bink decides that she wants to be as tall as Gollie, and attempts to do something about it, with predictably disastrous results. In the third and final story, Bink and Gollie try to come up with something that they can collect, in order to get their names in Flicker's Arcana of the Extraordinary.

Like its two predecessors, Bink & Gollie and Bink & Gollie: Two for One , I found Bink & Gollie: Best Friends Forever an entertaining read, appreciating the way in which these two friends manage to balance their different interests and approaches to life. Although they sometimes puzzle, and even annoy one another, the underlying affection they feel always wins out. I was reminded of Arnold Lobel's marvelous Frog and Toad books, which is high praise indeed. The artwork by Tony Fucile adds to the fun, emphasizing the humor in Bink and Gollie's exchanges. Recommended to beginning chapter-book readers who enjoy humorous tales.
Profile Image for Heidi.
2,894 reviews66 followers
April 25, 2013
I love this series! Seriously, completely, infatuated. Not only are the characters delightful, but they are genuine and not afraid to be themselves. The plots in these short stories are simple and yet profound. I'm always amazed when authors can tell stories of depth in so few words and in this case, mostly through text. In this, the third book in the series, Gollie and Bink face some interesting dilemmas. First, Gollie discovers she is royalty and decides not to fix pancakes any more which shocks Bink. And Bink decides that she isn't sure about being frie

nds with a 'queen.' Can their friendship survive? And what about when Bink thinks she's found a way to make herself taller but things don't quite work out they way she hopes? Can she handle the disappointment. And can Bink and Gollie really set a world record? I laughed my way through this book. The writing and illustrating compliment each other perfectly. The words are fabulous and the illustrations really bring home the humor and good spirits of Bink and Gollie. This series is great for early readers, but older children will enjoy it too and it would make for a great shared read. Highly, highly recommended.
Profile Image for Paula.
669 reviews15 followers
March 15, 2013
Received a copy from NetGalley.

The hilarious duo are back in their latest adventure Best Frriends Forever. Vivid and lively colored illustrations throughout the book capture the antics of young girls who are best friends. The storyline is well written and Kate DiCamillo does not disappoint. Young girls will be able to relate to Bink and Gollie as they have either done some of these things or will be inspired. Older children and adults will reflect on what they have done.

A great read!
Profile Image for babyhippoface.
2,443 reviews144 followers
May 15, 2014
I'm not sure anything will ever top "I Lost at Whack-a-Duck", but I remain forever and always a Bink & Gollie devotee. No duo can top their true devotion, hilarious use of language, and Bink's enthusiasm for peanut butter, crazy socks, and life in general.
Profile Image for Anthony.
7,258 reviews31 followers
April 7, 2018
In between the shenanigans of searching for Gollie's Empire of Enchantment, or Bink using the Stretch-O-Matic to grow taller, and the two of them trying to amass a collection of something to become world record holders, and get their picture in Flicker's Arcana of The Extraordinary, Bink and Gollie remain the best of friends, and marvelous companions.
Profile Image for Leslie.
1,100 reviews36 followers
May 29, 2013
I wrote this about the first book Bink & Gollie on Goodreads in 2010: "great words, fantastic illustrations, and a sweet friendship. and the daughter absolutely loved it (even at age 10)." The series is proving consistent, though I haven't asked N what she's thought of them of late. Best Friends Forever is the third collection of stories.

In “Empire of Enchantment,” the prospect of being royal goes to Gollie’s head and threatens the sort of give & take she and Bink have established. Gollie also finds being royal pretty lonely. The reader gets to see her also looking a bit ridiculous. Gollie is best when she is just being an ordinary extraordinary Gollie.

A spunky Bink struggles with who she is in “Why Should You Be Shorter Than Your Friends?” She has come to rely on Gollie being able to reach things, but it is an advertisement in the paper that really makes her question the “inequality” in their relationship. Really, Gollie doesn’t mind helping her friend, and she likes Bink the way she is—which includes some zany behavior. Bink works herself into a bind, and when the contraption explodes, it turns into a lovely piece of art.

In “Kudos, Bink and Gollie,” Gollie is perusing the first edition of Flickr’s Arcana, a collection of photographs boasting of people’s record-making collections. The two decide they’d like to appear in a future edition and figure out what they want to collect. Unfortunately, someone else has collected more and shows it off in a creative way that lands them in the book. They are disappointed, but are nevertheless gracious about it: Gollie says kudos to them, and Bink learns that kudos means congratulations. They are disappointed but find a solution that satisfies them both.

The clean and energetic illustrations primarily in black and white with the kind of splash of color Bink and Gollie bring to the page. They’ve fun details, but there isn’t the sort of density for long text—and there isn’t a lot of text. Much of even what I describe of the stories is from strong inference. Children needn’t have these episodes spelled out for them and the experienced storytelling team knows this.

Bink & Gollie are a perfect series for young readers in early grade school. They deal in friendship issues, and each brief episode is genuinely entertaining. They also employee good vocabulary and in Bink & Gollie: Two for One dabble in mathematics. So you get the nutritious with a good dose of healthy sugars.

~L (omphaloskepsis)
http://contemplatrix.wordpress.com/20...
Profile Image for Tasha.
4,165 reviews137 followers
May 9, 2013
Bink and Gollie return in their third book of escapades as best friends. The first of the three stories in this book has Gollie wondering if she might have royal blood while Bink is much more interested in pancakes. The second has Bink worrying about being short and buying the incredibly complex Stretch-o-matic that requires “excessive assembly.” The third story has the girls wondering what collection they should start to get a record in Flicker’s Arcana of the Extraordinary.

In all of these stories, we get to see Bink and Gollie as pure individuals. It’s a relief as always to return to a storybook world where girls are not bedecked in glitter, ruffles and pink. These are two girls who read as real and tangible and completely unique. I also enjoy the way that the friendship between the two girls always has space enough for them to be themselves and not try to even mimic one another. As always the stories are clever with great endings and completely readable by young readers. The illustrations continue to have the same freshness as the stories and characters, with wonderful humor embedded in them.

Fans of Bink & Gollie will be clamoring for the third book and thanks to the unique characters and easy reading format, these books belong in every library. Appropriate for ages 5-7.
Profile Image for Courtney Umlauf.
595 reviews14 followers
May 11, 2017
Step aside...I'm using my gray matter.

So far, DiCamillo is the only author I've found who writes this type of book for kids. Books with witty, intelligent characters who use equally intelligent language. With phrases like "well-nigh impossible" in use, how can I not love this? It's the 3rd in the Bink and Gollie series, and consists of three short stories:

* Empire of Enchantment * Gollie decides, based on her family history, that she is royalty. She goes on progress throughout her kingdom, but Bink doesn't want "Queen Gollie", she just wants Gollie: best friend. Gollie decides it's time to put the crown behind her.

* Why Should You Be Shorter Than Your Friends? * Bink decides the Acme Stretch-o-Matic is the answer to her vertical problems. But Gollie doesn't think her friend needs to change in the least.

* Kudos, Bink and Gollie * Bink and Gollie decide they need to collect enough of something, anything to get them into the record books. After a few failed attempts, they decide their friendship is enough.
Profile Image for Barbara.
15k reviews315 followers
July 18, 2013
Nothing can separate best friends Bink and Gollie, but when Gollie thinks she might have royal blood in "Empire of Enchantment," one of three stories in the book, Bink finds her exceedingly annoying. But ruling a kingdom can be exhausting and lonely as Gollie discovers. The second story, "Why Should You Be Shorter than Your Friends" focuses on Bink's desire to grow taller, a desire that prompts her to purchase a Stetch-o-Matic. The third story, "Kudos, Bink & Gollie" follows the two friends as they try to gain fame by collecting the largest number of gold stars ever. The digital illustrations show their personalities perfectly, and the experiences described in the stories typify the experiences of so many children as they grow up. I can't wait to see what they'll get up to next.
Profile Image for Rachel.
738 reviews10 followers
July 30, 2014
These books are very cute (both the writing and the illustrations), but if you think about them even a little, they're strange. They take place in a world without parents, where kids have their own houses, always have spending money, cook for themselves, light candles, whatevs.

(Also, in this alternate universe, the inventor of peanut butter is not George Washington Carver, for some insane reason. The character who loves peanut butter has a portrait over her mantle labeled "the inventor of peanut butter" and it's some made-up guy. I'm going with "alternate universe" because why else would you just lie about who invented peanut butter?! I'm so annoyed.)
Profile Image for Kelley Mitchell.
552 reviews4 followers
March 7, 2018
Loved this sweet, short little book. The LC catalogued it as fiction and I am leaving it there for now, but the structure reminded me soooo much of Frog and Toad, as did the gentle humor of the stories. It really felt like a modern, human version of those characters. LOVE <3!
Profile Image for Laurie.
880 reviews
March 14, 2014
Booklist (March 15, 2013 (Vol. 109, No. 14))
Grades K-3. Ah, best friendship. Short, wild-haired Bink and tall, neat-haired Gollie epitomize its ups and downs. In this sequel to Bink & Gollie (2010) and Bink & Gollie: Two for One (2012), DiCamillo and McGhee once again cleverly merge early reader, graphic novel, and picture book into a delightful ode to an unlikely duo. In the first of three short chapters, Gollie, looking through an old family album, finds a picture of crown-wearing Aunt Natasha, dated 1908, which confirms what she’s long suspected: “royal blood flowed in my veins.” So Gollie dons an impressive outfit of crown and scepter; only, Bink is not impressed, especially since no pancakes are involved in celebrating the royal news. The second finds Bink struggling with her petite stature, and so she orders the “Stretch-O-Matic” to try and lengthen herself out. Finally, in the last adventure, Bink and Gollie look into breaking a world record. Droll, and with spot-on emotions, this return of the dynamic, roller-skating pair will make fans cheer.


Horn Book (March/April, 2013)
Gollie (Bink & Gollie, rev. 1/11; Bink & Gollie: Two for One, rev. 5/12) has always had her imperious side, and it comes out in spades in the first of this book's three stories. "I have long suspected that royal blood flowed in my veins," she swoons after finding a photo of her great-aunt Natasha in fancy dress and a crown. Gollie dons her own cape, crown, and scepter (and roller-skates, natch) and goes bragging all over town. Commoner Bink is supportive when her pal finally comes back down to earth. In the second tale, diminutive Bink sends away for a mail-order Stretch-o-Matic kit ("Why should you be shorter than your friends?" "Why shouldn't you be tall?"), assembles it (sort of), then hangs upside-down from the ceiling waiting for gravity to work its magic. Finally, the pals decide to start a collection, hoping to amass enough stuff to have their photo included in Flicker's Arcana of the Extraordinary. Just as in the first two series entries, the friends' wildly different sensibilities -- and their interests, both shared and disparate -- tumble out through personality-filled dialogue and digital illustrations of barely contained chaos. Details from previous books (Bink's preoccupation with pancakes; both girls' love of roller-skating) will reward the BFFs' existing fans while bringing new friends into the fold. elissa gershowitz


Horn Book starred (Fall 2013)
Just as in the first two series entries, Bink and Gollie's wildly different sensibilities--and their interests, both shared and disparate--tumble out through personality-filled dialogue and digital illustrations of barely contained chaos in three stories. Details from previous books (Bink's preoccupation with pancakes; both girls' love of roller-skating) will reward the BFFs' existing fans while bringing new friends into the fold.


Kirkus Reviews (March 1, 2013)
Fans of Bink and Gollie will be pleased to welcome them back in three more humorous linked adventures that, as in their earlier appearances, play off their differences but ultimately affirm their mutual affection. First, Gollie has dreams of grandeur that don't impress Bink a bit--and don't quite work out as she hopes. Next, Bink succumbs to the siren song of an advertisement for an unusual device that promises to make her grow. It succeeds, after a fashion, but doesn't actually change the status quo. Finally, the two girls seek fame and glory through (relatively) traditional means but wind up deciding to use a different measure of success when their plans don't pan out. At the end, of course, they discover what readers already know: Friendship is the best prize of all. Fucile's digital artwork extends both the humor and the broad appeal. With wide-eyed, smiling characters, crisp black outlines and exaggerated details, they're reminiscent of (really good) old-fashioned Saturday-morning cartoons. They also offer lots of entertaining elements to linger over, including visual references to earlier exploits, clever use of color to keep the focus clearly on the two main characters and sly jokes to supplement the amusing wordplay. There may be no new ground broken, but there is still another bumper crop of fun to be had with these two BFFs. (Early reader. 6-8)


Publishers Weekly Annex (April 29, 2013)
In their third chapter book, Bink and Gollie remain as thick as thieves and just as prone to squabbling. In the first of three stories, Gollie discovers a photograph of a royal distant relative and immediately embraces her newfound regal bloodline ("I have long suspected that royal blood flowed in my veins," she muses), donning a crown, cape, and holier-than-thou expression. She soon learns it can be lonely as queen: when Gollie "regret[s] to inform" pancakes-obsessed Bink that "royalty does not cook for others," Bink replies, "Okay. I regret to inform you that I am going home." In the second tale, Bink's desire to be taller leads her to order a highly dubious "Stretch-o-Matic" machine that promises "dramatic change," and in the third, the girls hatch a scheme to become world-record holders. Readers may recognize some aspects of their own close friendships in Bink and Gollie's odd-couple relationship, but these two remain true originals. As in the previous books, the fresh, wry dialogue and Fucile's witty cartooning are as dynamic a pairing as Bink and Gollie themselves. Ages 6-8. Agent: Holly McGhee, Pippin Properties. (Apr.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.


School Library Journal (April 1, 2013)
Gr 1-3-Bink and Gollie dream of royalty, fame, and stature in three amusing tales. In "Empire of Enchantment," Gollie is certain that queenly blood flows through her veins when she finds a picture of a regal aunt. She drives Bink crazy with all her airs. She sweeps through the streets complimenting the townsfolk on "their efforts on behalf of the empire." When it starts to rain, Gollie's snooty demeanor falters, and she's back to her old self. In the second story, Bink decides to get a Stretch-O-Matic since she is sick of being short and is sure that this device will do the trick. She is suspended from the ceiling in the complicated contraption when flabbergasted Gollie walks in. The whole thing comes crashing down, but Bink comes up with a creative way to fix the machine and feel tall at the same time. In "Kudos, Bink and Gollie," the friends decide to become famous by appearing in Flicker's Arcana of the Extraordinary, a Guinness Book of World Records-type compilation. Figuring that some sort of collection will land them in the book, they head off to Eccles' Empire of Enchantment. They buy 100 packages of 66 gold stickers each that they are sure is their ticket to fame. The plan doesn't pan out, but the clever duo comes up with a face-saving solution. The first story would make a fun read-aloud, as it lends itself to using alternately haughty and exasperated voices. All three stories feature Fucile's expressive and attitude-filled line drawings. Another humorous selection for those just beginning to dip into chapter books.-Diane McCabe, John Muir Elementary, Santa Monica, CA (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Cadee.
404 reviews5 followers
February 26, 2022
"I like that they are still best friends forever even though they are so different." -Cadee, age 9
Profile Image for Donna.
293 reviews11 followers
May 5, 2023
Less interesting for young children than the first two books. Storyline and vocabulary too over their heads.
Profile Image for Catey Steele.
28 reviews1 follower
November 19, 2014
Bink and Gollie: Best Friends Forever by Kate DiCamillo and Alison Mcghee is a book with three smaller stories, or episodes, within. This book is part of the Bink & Gollie series. The first episode of the book is called, "Empire of Enchantment." "Empire of Enchantment," begins when Gollie figures out some exciting news about one of her ancestors. She takes this news to heart, and begins to walk around and act like a queen. Bink,does not appreciate the way that Gollie acts while pretending to live up to her ancestor's lifestyle. As the episode goes on, Bink becomes extremely agitated and Gollie slowly catches on. At the end of the episode, readers are able to see just how good of friends Bink and Gollie are when they over come this annoyance.

The second episode is called, "Why Should you be Shorter than your Friends?" Bink finds it extremely difficult to do the things that Gollie does because of her height. When Bink sees this genius advertisement benefitting shorter people, she is all in to try the contraption. This was not your ordinary contraption though. This took a lot of time, and instructions to put together. Bink gave everything she had to put it together, but fell short. Gollie had no idea what exactly Bink was up to until she came over to see Bink hanging from the ceiling attached to the Acme Stretch-O-Matic. When things failed, Bink and Gollie worked together to make their own masterpiece out of the gadget, and together they lie there gazing at its beauty. Their teamwork shows just how the two remain best friends through all obstacles.

The last episode is called, "Kudos, Bink and Gollie." As Gollie goes through the world record book, she and Bink become inspired to become a record holder of their own. As Bink and Gollie venture out to Eccles' Empire of Enchantment to find a special trinket to collect. Together, they decide to collect golden star stickers. After buying what they think is the record breaking amount of stars, Gollie finds out that someone has already beat them to the punch. When the two friends realize they just want their pictures taken to put in the book, they know just the place to go. Mr. Eccles can take their picture, and just like that Bink and Gollie have the largest collection of marbles in the record book. Kudos, Bink and Gollie.

The illustrations are done by Tony Fucile, and they are so nicely done. I really enjoyed how the main characters, Bink and Gollie, stood out in the foreground, and most of the illustrations focused on them. This book made me laugh a few times, it is so cute. The story does show good examples as to what friends go through like, sometimes being rude to one another, being upset because the other has something that you do not, and being adventurous with one another. To me, that is what friendship is about: going on a roller coaster ride together.
Profile Image for Katie Fitzgerald.
Author 30 books253 followers
December 19, 2016
Bink and Gollie are back, with three new stories celebrating best friendship. In "Empire of Enchantment" Gollie begins acting like royalty when she sees a picture of a queenly relative in an old photo album, but Bink refuses to acknowledge her until she comes to her senses. In "Why Should You Be Shorter Than Your Friends? " Bink laments being so much shorter than Gollie, and she orders herself a contraption that will supposedly help her to grow, despite Gollie's practical knowledge that this is a bad idea. In the final story, "Kudos, Bink and Gollie," the girls try to attain a world record so their photo can be published in a book, but when their plan fails, they find a way to give themselves some kudos on their own.

This third installment in the Bink & Gollie series is every bit as charming as the earlier volumes. The characters' different, but complementary personalities and sophisticated, but funny dialogue continue to be the highlights of each story. Tony Fucile's illustrations perfectly capture the girls' personalities in their facial expressions and physical movements, and the stories themselves are the perfect combination of silly and sweet. As in previous volumes, print is present in many of the illustrations, inviting kids to read not just the text, but lots of signs and banners in the background as well. Kids who take the time to read every word both in and out of the story will be rewarded with extra laughs - and so will the adults who read with them!

I was a little bit disappointed that the stories in this book didn't revolve around a central setting, like the carnival in Two for One, because I thought that structure worked really well. The stories in this book are related in the sense that the second and third story refer to events in the first story and in each other, but I missed that sense of true cohesion that came from the carnival theme. I also didn't think this book added much of anything new to the overall Bink & Gollie canon. To me, it felt like a repetition of a lot of what happens in the original Bink & Gollie. Still, series characters are beloved by the beginning reader age group, and those who have fallen in love with Bink and Gollie's friendship will be thrilled to have yet another book to lose themselves in.

Pair this book with Freckleface Strawberry: Best Friends Forever and George and Martha for a literature unit - or a long story time - on being best friends. Continue the Bink & Gollie fun online at binkandgollie.com, where you can color a sock, help Fred fulfill his longing for speed, and solve word jumbles to help Gollie reach the top of a mountain, and where teachers and parents can find teacher's guides for the first two books.
Profile Image for Josiah.
3,488 reviews158 followers
September 27, 2015
Like the other books of this series, Tony Fucile's illustrations in Bink & Gollie: Best Friends Forever play as important a part in the telling of the story as the writing contributions of Alison McGhee and two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo. Facial expressions and reactions weigh heavily in understanding the narrative's meaning, and the authors do a good job of writing it so that is the case.

Whether it's Gollie becoming convinced she's a legitimate heir to royalty, and thus should be served by Bink rather than ever having to serve her, or Bink's insecurity at her own short stature causing her to buy a bizarre body-stretching machine through the mail, or a book of world records making both friends desire to somehow, someway get their name in its pages, no trouble run into by this team ever threatens their relationship permanently. Bink and Gollie know how to roll with the punches. They've experienced the highs and lows of friendship, as well as a whole lot of middle ground, and know that while external terrain can change quickly and unexpectedly, there's nothing like best friendship to get one through even the toughest day. Is it so bad to find that being a distant relative of royalty doesn't especially impress others, or that a gizmo which promised a miracle is no better than an expensive hunk of junk, or that being included in a book of world records is every bit as hard as it seems, and even a determined duo may not be able to finagle their way into it? It isn't so bad as long as you've got a "best friend forever". If you're spending your days in step with a friend you love and who loves you back, then no outside offer could possibly serve up so sweet a deal as you already have. And like most legendary sets of friends, Bink and Gollie know it.

I would give one and a half stars to Bink & Gollie: Best Friends Forever, and I easily could have rounded that up to two stars rather than down. While I may not have found it quite as affecting as the first two entries in the series, I did like this book, and believe it has something important to teach about the enduring value of friendship. Take a cue or two from Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee, and learn something from their friendship. I think you'll be glad you did.
Profile Image for Catherine Nichols.
Author 109 books18 followers
April 26, 2013
In their third outing, Bink and Gollie are again true to form. Gollie is superior as ever and Bink as stubborn. Luckily these character traits make for some great stories. In the first of the three tales that make up this beginning reader, Gollie sees a photo of her great aunt wearing a crown. Always suspecting she came from royal blood, Gollie now has all the proof she needs. (I confess I have a slight preference for Gollie. Perhaps it has something to do with the nickname my family bestowed on me as a child: Her Majesty.) Gollie's haughty manner does not hold water with Bink, and how Gollie is brought back to her senses is subtly and touchingly portrayed.

Story two showcases Bink's pressing desire to be tall. She falls prey to an advertisement for a Stretch-o-Matic device, something akin to a medieval torture rack, only this one suspends you from the ceiling with weights. Needless to say, results don't turn out as planned, but Bink finds a way to be satisfied with her purchase. The last story has Bink and Gollie on the search for something to collect. Inspired by Flicker's Arcana of the Extraordinary, the girls attempt to get their names and photos in the hefty tome. In the end they succeed, but not in a way most readers would have predicted.

As always, Tony Fucile's illustrations are a delight and in this book they are especially strong. The image of Gollie standing all alone in the rain adds to the story's pathos and the depiction of what happens to the Stetch-o-Matic is dramatic indeed. I especially like the fun details Fucile includes, such as the portrait hanging on Bink's wall of Marcellus Gilmore Edson, inventor of peanut butter. According to Google, Edson did, in fact, hold a patent for peanut butter, issued in 1884. Who knew?
Profile Image for Monique.
1,031 reviews62 followers
May 27, 2017
Alright so finished this cute little book because I thought it was the award-winning first book in the series but it turns out our library has the third copy only and so I read it in about fifteen minutes and am only recording it in the middle of reading and writing because I like records of my books to cut down on rereads and help with recommendations LOL..Okay so this little cute "chapter" book follows two adorable friends who apparently live alone and do their own thing but hey..so Gollie is the taller one and Bink is the little blond one with the shock of childlike fun hair and so begins their little adventures with super easy text and three stories and a mini lesson..the first deals with Gollie and her finding out she may be related to a princess which causes her to act snobby to Bink and leaves her all alone until she realizes acting like a princess is not being a good friend..the next story deals with Bink and her adorably short self wanting to be taller so she invests in a machine to lengthen her body only to have Gollie come over and remind her she is fine just the way she is..lastly the book ends with Bink and Gollie working together to start a collection to get a picture in a record book and they decide to buy alot of gold stickers only to realize there are people with way more so they just decide to focus on what they really wanted in the first place which was a picture of the both of them--best friends forever..Really fun little book but sigh the wrong one for class, right one to recommend to emerging and beginning readers..will have to look into this series as ALL my scholars want seems to be series and the same exact ones..alright so back to reading...:) Really cute-recommended.
Profile Image for Tiffany.
332 reviews5 followers
March 28, 2013
See my full review here: http://misstiffreads.blogspot.com/201...

In this set of three short adventures, Gollie discovers she is related to royalty and goes out to see her kingdom, but learns that even queens need a friend. Then, Bink tries to become taller with a crazy looking contraption that ends up adorning the ceiling of her home. And finally, the girls want to start a record breaking collection, but they end up realizing that they are already winners.

Bink and Gollie work well together since Gollie is mature and sensible, while Bink is fun and carefree. I love Bink's determination to be taller, and her intensity as she fixes the stretching machine-the look on her face in that illustration is too much. The illustrations are great because the characters really stand out against the black and white background, and all of the little details that should be noticed are in color. Not only does the simple text teach children to read, but this book also helps teach children to read the pictures.
50 reviews
Read
November 10, 2015
Bink and Gollie: Best Friends Forever is about a marvelous friendship. This book is a new Bink and Gollie adventure. Their very first adventure starts with, Gollie is thinks she has royal blood in her veins. But Bink doesn't know if she can put up with her acting like a queen and ordering him around, especially if pancakes are not part of the deal.Then, Bink wishes she could be as tall as Gollie so she stretches out as far as she can.Finally, when Bink and Gollie wish that they can get their picture into world record holding books, so they set off to see what they can accomplish.

Classroom: I would use this book in my classroom for best friends to read. It is a good book for friends to find new ways to have fun and accomplish new tasks. This book could also be used when students are arguing with one another in the classroom. You could make them read this book together and complete some tasks to make them be best friends.
Profile Image for Fromwordstoworlds.
316 reviews2 followers
April 24, 2018
I enjoyed discovering Bink and Gollie and also reading an illustrated book about friendship between two kids. This is the third book in the series and consists of three stories, all of them hilarious and quite well written.

Bink and Gollie are the best friends in the world but things seem to change when Gollie suspects she has royal blood flowing in her veins. She changes her attitude and begins to act like a queen. Bink totally disagrees with the new behavior and avoids meeting Gollie who finally realizes how difficult it is to rule the kingdom all by herself. Feeling lonely, she returns to her little friend.

The second story is even funnier with Bink trying to stretch taller by using a Stretch-o-Matic. The last episode in the book follows the two friends trying to become famous by collecting the most gold star stickers in the entire world.

See the complete review on the blog:
https://fromwordstoworlds.wordpress.c...
Profile Image for Becky B.
9,349 reviews184 followers
September 24, 2014
Bink and Gollie have three adventures in this book. In the first story, Gollie decides she is descended from royalty and must act the part, distancing herself from Bink. But that doesn't last too long before they fix things. In the second story, Bink decides she is too short and takes drastic measures to try and get taller. But eventually she figures out she is ok the way she is. In the third story, the two friends want to get their picture into a book of records so they try to find something to collect, but that proves a little difficult so they settle for putting a picture of their friendship in a book.

Three more cute stories from Bink & Gollie. I didn't find this collection quite as enchanting as the first book, but it was still fun. And of course, I still love Tony Fucile's illustration style of black and white with just splashes of color.
Profile Image for The Styling Librarian.
2,170 reviews194 followers
July 4, 2013
Bink & Gollie Best Friends Forever by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee, illustrated by Tony Fucile – How much do I love reading Bink and Gollie? Can’t tell you, can’t measure it! But Bink can measure that she is shorter than Gollie, and she thinks a Acme Stretch-O-Matic might be just the answer…. and Gollie thinks that she is a queen because of her relatives- how does Bink react? Read to find out! Here are a few other things I love about Bink & Gollie books: rollerskates, old fashioned in a present day world, collections, friendship, lack of parents, adventures, easy to read and fun to approach, colored pictures in an early chapter book… and much much more. Highly recommend you grab one soon!
Profile Image for orangerful.
953 reviews50 followers
June 15, 2013
I adore this series, perfect for the precocious beginning chapter book reader since the language and humor can be a bit advanced, even if there are only a few sentences on each page. Tony Fucile's artwork is some of the best out there (he works for Disney/Pixar so it is not really a surprise).

In this book Gollie discovers her great-great-[...]aunt was royalty and decides she will be queen for awhile (Bink is not amused), Bink decides she should be tall and places and order with Acme, and then Bink & Gollie decide they want to break a world record of some kind...and end up making their own fun.

I always recommend these titles for parents and kids to read together because I feel like the humor and art will appeal to all ages.
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