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George Hogglesberry: Grade School Alien
It'¬?s a shaky landing for George Hogglesberry as he begins his first day of school on a new planet. What if nobody likes him? What if his ears fall off at recess? What if he turns into a tomato during the fall play? He never had to worry about any of these things back on Frollop II. But with the help of his gentle new teacher and understanding classmates, George may find that even a boy from across the galaxy can feel at home on planet earth.‚Ä¢ Gently and humorously introduces concepts of cultural difference, assimilation, and acceptance.‚Ä¢ Book includes "Pin the Nose on George" game-have a blast at your next party!‚Ä¢ Rich autumnal artwork, blending collage and paint, is perfect for back to school.
- GenresPicture Books
38 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2002
About the author
Sarah Elizabeth Wilson
62 books1 followerI was born in Syracuse, NY, but most of my early growing up was in Maine and Massachusetts. My mother was an artist and librarian. My father was a Naval engineer who also worked in electronics and liked to put together small inventions, ship models and toys. Both of my parents had a wonderful sense of humor and fun, which made for a lot of happy memories. There were always stories to enjoy around the dinner table, and we sang when we drove anywhere.
We moved a lot with the Navy. I went to 12 different elementary schools and four high schools, which didn't seem all that unusual at the time. Every spring and fall, I'm still ready to go somewhere and meet new people, although I've lived in Northern California for a long time now. My husband is an architect, and we have two grown children, a son who lives nearby and a daughter who has special needs and lives with us. No dogs or cats at the moment, but we live on a hill and share our back yard with deer, raccoons, possums, skunks and squirrels.
I've been writing and drawing for as long as I can remember - folding, stapling and gluing small books together. I have a BA degree from Ohio University, which let me have a double major in both English and art, and also a Diploma in Spanish Studies from the University of Madrid. When I have time, I paint. I also doodle a lot and fill up small notebooks with word-play and ideas. I use Micron pens and keep two daily journals, one in pictures (cartoons, really), and one in writing. This has been fun.
I've written and/or illustrated over 30 books for children; two non-fiction books for adults, two newspaper comic panels, a children's newsletter, "The Letter Bear," and assorted poetry. I've also worked as a freelance artist and taught workshops. On a nine-to-five schedule, I've been both a medical social worker and a children's art teacher.
Books are a joy, and I feel fortunate to be doing the same kind of happy folding. stapling. glueing and drawing which I loved at the age of five. I'm grateful for The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, for all of the creative people around me, and for my enthusiastic fifth grade art teacher who thought I could be published some day, "...If you'll just keep working and working and working at it!".
We moved a lot with the Navy. I went to 12 different elementary schools and four high schools, which didn't seem all that unusual at the time. Every spring and fall, I'm still ready to go somewhere and meet new people, although I've lived in Northern California for a long time now. My husband is an architect, and we have two grown children, a son who lives nearby and a daughter who has special needs and lives with us. No dogs or cats at the moment, but we live on a hill and share our back yard with deer, raccoons, possums, skunks and squirrels.
I've been writing and drawing for as long as I can remember - folding, stapling and gluing small books together. I have a BA degree from Ohio University, which let me have a double major in both English and art, and also a Diploma in Spanish Studies from the University of Madrid. When I have time, I paint. I also doodle a lot and fill up small notebooks with word-play and ideas. I use Micron pens and keep two daily journals, one in pictures (cartoons, really), and one in writing. This has been fun.
I've written and/or illustrated over 30 books for children; two non-fiction books for adults, two newspaper comic panels, a children's newsletter, "The Letter Bear," and assorted poetry. I've also worked as a freelance artist and taught workshops. On a nine-to-five schedule, I've been both a medical social worker and a children's art teacher.
Books are a joy, and I feel fortunate to be doing the same kind of happy folding. stapling. glueing and drawing which I loved at the age of five. I'm grateful for The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, for all of the creative people around me, and for my enthusiastic fifth grade art teacher who thought I could be published some day, "...If you'll just keep working and working and working at it!".
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 20, 2023
“Before George Hogglesberry went into his new class, he put a nose on his face.”
Fitting in at a new school is never easy, but it’s especially hard for George. He and his family have moved here from Frollop II and things are very different. His teacher and fellow students try to help George, but it isn’t easy. “No one ever knew who or where George was going to be. Not even George.” But George’s talents of transformation do come in handy at the fall play.
Fitting in at a new school is never easy, but it’s especially hard for George. He and his family have moved here from Frollop II and things are very different. His teacher and fellow students try to help George, but it isn’t easy. “No one ever knew who or where George was going to be. Not even George.” But George’s talents of transformation do come in handy at the fall play.
April 19, 2022
A charming book about how people are different: it is a different take on one of the most important lessons to teach kids when they are young. Personally, one of the more silly books I have read throughout this 40-book reading challenge, and I know little kids would think it is funny as well.
June 30, 2018
Too long for elementary, too boring for secondary. Good moral tried to be tied in (stay true to who you are) but just didn't make it.
May 24, 2008
This is quirky little story about an alien with all sorts of odd abilities. George is new in school and he worries about how he will fit in with his Earthling classmates. Some preschoolers and early grade schoolers may find it very funny as George goes through his days, others may be confused. There are probably too many words to use this book for a story time but it will be appropriate for a one to one reading and could spur some imaginative discussions about differences between people (and for that matter, extra-terrestrials!).
CIP Summary:
George Hogglesberry, the new second grade student from the planet Frollop II, gets help from his teacher and classmates with fitting in and with his performance in the fall school play.
From Kirkus:
This "first day at a new school" tale doesn't ring true. Newly arrived from Frollop II, blue-skinned George tapes a nose to his face in an effort to look more like his human classmates-but as he has persistent problems telling up from down, or keeping himself from turning into a tomato, he's convinced everyone's laughing up their sleeves. "They weren't," Wilson earnestly avers, even making George the recipient of reassuring peer hugs and kisses-but his cluelessness is so exaggerated that readers are far more likely to ridicule him than sympathize.
From School Library Journal:
K-Gr 2-George Hogglesberry, a new second grader who has just come from the planet Frollop II, gets directions and everything else all mixed up. Youngsters entering a new school and lacking self-confidence might find George's bizarre situation humorous and reassuring.
CIP Summary:
George Hogglesberry, the new second grade student from the planet Frollop II, gets help from his teacher and classmates with fitting in and with his performance in the fall school play.
From Kirkus:
This "first day at a new school" tale doesn't ring true. Newly arrived from Frollop II, blue-skinned George tapes a nose to his face in an effort to look more like his human classmates-but as he has persistent problems telling up from down, or keeping himself from turning into a tomato, he's convinced everyone's laughing up their sleeves. "They weren't," Wilson earnestly avers, even making George the recipient of reassuring peer hugs and kisses-but his cluelessness is so exaggerated that readers are far more likely to ridicule him than sympathize.
From School Library Journal:
K-Gr 2-George Hogglesberry, a new second grader who has just come from the planet Frollop II, gets directions and everything else all mixed up. Youngsters entering a new school and lacking self-confidence might find George's bizarre situation humorous and reassuring.
April 24, 2008
CIP: George Hogglesberry, the new second grade student from the planet Frollop II, gets help from his teacher and classmates with fitting in and with his performance in the fall school play.
The unique type of illustrations by Chad Cameron first caught my attention (beautiful and bright). Then as I was reading the unique way bits of the story were woven into the illustrations also caught my eye. I think this book would be great for toddlers to 1st grade since the pictures will really grab their attention and get them laughing. A side interest for teachers or storytime tellers is included on the inside front flap (a sort of pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey game). Nice touch to include!
Golden Kite Award winner.
Favorable reviewed in Kirkus Reviews 10/1/2002 and School Library Journal in December 2002.
The unique type of illustrations by Chad Cameron first caught my attention (beautiful and bright). Then as I was reading the unique way bits of the story were woven into the illustrations also caught my eye. I think this book would be great for toddlers to 1st grade since the pictures will really grab their attention and get them laughing. A side interest for teachers or storytime tellers is included on the inside front flap (a sort of pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey game). Nice touch to include!
Golden Kite Award winner.
Favorable reviewed in Kirkus Reviews 10/1/2002 and School Library Journal in December 2002.
October 17, 2013
This book was fantastic! Students transferring schools from other places or simply changing grade levels will be able to relate to this story. George Hogglesberry faces thought of rejection as he enters a different school on a new planet. He later discovers with the help of his teacher and classmates how accepted and welcomed he was. I really enjoyed this book because I was once the new student and this book explains how kids like that feel perfectly.
I believe this story won the Golden Kite Award for its unique style of pictures. It was not the typical picture book style. The pictures popped on each page and were very exciting to view.
I believe this story won the Golden Kite Award for its unique style of pictures. It was not the typical picture book style. The pictures popped on each page and were very exciting to view.
October 20, 2009
This is a silly story for young children about George Hogglesberry, a new 2nd grader who has just arrived at school from the Planet Frollop II. Things in this new place are so different from his former life that he keeps getting all mixed up and constantly worries about not being accepted. Fortunately, he is able to lean on his new classmates and teacher for assistance. Before you know it, Georgee makes a wonderful new home for himself on Planet Earth in this confidence booster of a tale.
December 2, 2012
Great for new students that come to the class. Also for students that feel different compared to the rest of the class like esols. Shows student even though students are differnt and come from different places, we can still learn from them and have to be understanding towards other students. text is writen in creative ways. Funny illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews