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Gaston and Friends
Antoinette
Raised in a family of talented bulldogs, Antoinette the poodle wonders what makes her special. She gets the chance to prove herself and find what she's good at when puppy Ooh-la-la goes missing.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published February 21, 2017
6 people are currently reading
764 people want to read
About the author
Kelly DiPucchio
61 books265 followersKelly is the award-winning author of several children’s books, thousands of To-Do lists, and a few recipe cards. Two of her books, Grace For President and The Sandwich Swap, were New York Times bestsellers.
Like most kids who grew up in the 1970’s, Kelly had a pet goat and bought all her clothes from the Sears catalog. Like most teenagers who grew up in the 1980’s, Kelly had really big glasses and feathered hair.
Today, Kelly lives with her husband and three children in southeastern Michigan, where she enjoys writing just about everything except her own bio.
Like most kids who grew up in the 1970’s, Kelly had a pet goat and bought all her clothes from the Sears catalog. Like most teenagers who grew up in the 1980’s, Kelly had really big glasses and feathered hair.
Today, Kelly lives with her husband and three children in southeastern Michigan, where she enjoys writing just about everything except her own bio.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 226 reviews
April 18, 2017
I adored Gaston, and now I'll need to add this companion book to my collection. Lovely illustrations and story about finding what you're good at and pursuing it.
March 1, 2017
Adorable companion book to GASTON!
April 13, 2017
What a dynamite team!
January 19, 2021
Cute story of a brave little poodle being raised in a family of bulldogs. With fun artwork by Christian Robinson.
My favorite part was the recap of the thrilling climactic moment, told in slo-mo. Yep. I kid you not.
My favorite part was the recap of the thrilling climactic moment, told in slo-mo. Yep. I kid you not.
February 14, 2017
Beautiful and imaginative. Very child friendly and fun. DiPucchio is consistently humorous and whimsical. Christian Robinson is well on his way to becoming one of the finest children's book illustrator's of our time. Get their earlier book, Gaston as well. Just as terrific!
October 27, 2016
Readers will adore Antoinette - and will love seeing Gaston within her story!
February 21, 2019
This was a nice book, but not as special as Gaston. (My son agrees and requested multiple readings of Gaston, but was fine with just one of Antoinette.)
April 20, 2017
My View:
This is an adorable book that shouts “Read out loud.” “Read to a child.” “Enjoy.” There is such a beautiful sense of fun and innocence here, the illustrations and the words are fun, full of energy and cute.
There are many messages in the book that a child will absorb; about friendships, confidence…about individuals having different talents/abilities. All have merits. But I think you should just read this book for the simple pleasure and fun of reading a delightful, entertaining book (and for being able to say Ooh- La- La many times). :)
This is an adorable book that shouts “Read out loud.” “Read to a child.” “Enjoy.” There is such a beautiful sense of fun and innocence here, the illustrations and the words are fun, full of energy and cute.
There are many messages in the book that a child will absorb; about friendships, confidence…about individuals having different talents/abilities. All have merits. But I think you should just read this book for the simple pleasure and fun of reading a delightful, entertaining book (and for being able to say Ooh- La- La many times). :)
August 12, 2017
I loved Antoinette!! I loved Gaston! I must find and read every book in the series!!
October 30, 2017
Another book about the pups from Gaston, this one features Antionette discovering what makes her special.
October 14, 2018
A companion book to Gaston, which unfortunately lacks the brilliance of the original story. The ending is sweet, especially if you've read both books (though that is not necessary to understand it).
July 23, 2020
This was so cute and unproblematic (unlike the first one which focussed too much on gender roles) and THEN ?! D:
March 18, 2017
5 stars--that page with the replay...... amazing!!!
March 3, 2017
Adorable! I loved the pages with the slow-motion spread of Antoinette saving Ooh-La-La. That got a genuine laugh.
December 28, 2019
Cute, but not nearly as good as our beloved Gaston.
June 20, 2023
Cute book and Gaston was in it too. I liked Gaston's book better but this one was full of fun. The kids will like reading this.
January 20, 2025
disappointing sequel. i was at first enthralled with the mystery of ooh la la and where she could’ve been in paris but now all i have to say is acab (including antoinette)
April 20, 2017
While Gaston is still my favorite, this is a cute follow up. Love the name "Ooh-La-La" for a poodle!
March 17, 2017
Very cute. I love the way in which the repetition is presented in both Antoinette and Gaston. Hooray for heroic pups! Now I just need to know when DiPucchio & Robinson are going to team up again to write a story about Antoinette and Gaston as grown dogs, instead of just alluding to their sweet little romance! Gimme more puppies!!
April 7, 2017
Love.
I loved Gaston and I love Antoinette.
I loved Gaston and I love Antoinette.
February 12, 2017
First sentence: Mrs. Bulldog watched her puppies race through the yard. Rocky, Ricky, Bruno, and Antoinette. Here they come again! Rocky, Ricky, Bruno, and Antoinette. Busy, aren't they? And ridiculously cute, but please don't tell them that.
Premise/plot: Antoinette, the poodle puppy being raised in a family of bull-dogs, doesn't know what makes her special, what makes her unique. Mrs. Bulldog keeps assuring her that she is, but gives no specifics as to how or why. But when Antoinette's friend Ooh-La-La (Gaston's sister) goes missing, it is her turn to shine. This determined pup WILL find her friend no matter what...proving that she is brave, resourceful, persistent.
My thoughts: I enjoyed this one and Gaston. I read this one first actually. I enjoyed it so much I wanted to read Gaston as well. I like Gaston and Antoinette as a couple, and I like knowing that one day these two pups will have pups of their own to love and raise. I like the setting (France) and the sprinkling of French throughout the text. It's just a very fun book.
Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10
Premise/plot: Antoinette, the poodle puppy being raised in a family of bull-dogs, doesn't know what makes her special, what makes her unique. Mrs. Bulldog keeps assuring her that she is, but gives no specifics as to how or why. But when Antoinette's friend Ooh-La-La (Gaston's sister) goes missing, it is her turn to shine. This determined pup WILL find her friend no matter what...proving that she is brave, resourceful, persistent.
My thoughts: I enjoyed this one and Gaston. I read this one first actually. I enjoyed it so much I wanted to read Gaston as well. I like Gaston and Antoinette as a couple, and I like knowing that one day these two pups will have pups of their own to love and raise. I like the setting (France) and the sprinkling of French throughout the text. It's just a very fun book.
Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10
May 11, 2017
All of Antoinette's brothers know what they are good at, but Antoinette still hasn't figured out her special skill. When Ooh-La-La goes missing, Antoinette feels something new, discovers her special skill, and saves the day.
It's not often that a book features a double take slow-mo flashback, but this one does. It's also unusual for picture books to skip far ahead to the future, show romantic endings, and how the special skill works out as a career. A great sequel to Gaston that might be a good read for career days. And of course, it is a good pick for dog lovers.
It's not often that a book features a double take slow-mo flashback, but this one does. It's also unusual for picture books to skip far ahead to the future, show romantic endings, and how the special skill works out as a career. A great sequel to Gaston that might be a good read for career days. And of course, it is a good pick for dog lovers.
March 29, 2018
J'avais mieux aimé le premier tome de cette collection (Gaston), mais je suis tout de même tombé en amour avec les illustrations de cet album. La situation est plutôt invraisemblable en soi, et c'est ce qui fait certainement tout le charme de cette histoire. Le récit met, de plus, l'accent sur un personnage féminin, et démontre que les filles aussi sont capables de l'extraordinaire. Un album envoûtant et bien ficelé, bref!
June 29, 2017
3.5 stars -- Oh my, how very cute. If it weren't for the cellphones the crowd of people are holding in one scene, I could have easily imagined this classic-looking book being set in turn-of-the-century Paris. The story of the one little poodle in a family of bulldogs also brings to mind an interesting fact of dogdom--one litter can have multiple daddies!
August 21, 2017
Loved this follow up story from Gaston. Antoinette is like most of us and is searching for her special self. We are all unique and have unique traits to share with this world and through this simple story children will learn this too. Again, the art is playful and is as enjoyable as the story. Another great one from Kelly!
September 13, 2017
Sometimes our talents are apparent early on, but sometimes it takes a while to discover what it is that we do really well. Such is the case with our dear Antoinette. Her siblings each have a special something they are good at that makes them different, but Antoinette doesn't have something obvious that makes her special. What will it take for her to find that special talent?
March 16, 2017
Adorable sequel to Gaston! Antoinette wants to find out what she's good at... and boy, does she!
I liked that she was able to turn her talent into an illustrious career - you go, girl!
I liked that she was able to turn her talent into an illustrious career - you go, girl!
December 2, 2019
The adoption aspect is never touched on in this one. It is a companion to Gaston. The "everyone has a talent" has been done before, but still is a fun story. Art is almost abstract and that could be awkward at times. The colors are muted. Details as needed, but not overly done.
January 4, 2018
Family is not only those that you are related to by blood.
September 9, 2019
Gotta love this petite classic about Gaston and Antoinette the cutest little doggies!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 226 reviews