Gum

by Nancy Willard, Jeff Newman (Illustrator)

In a timeless tale of small moments and big victories, two boys' singular obsession with an elusive prize pays off in a most surprising way.

James has five quarters and Danny has four. That means nine whole tries to get the little silver race car out of the gumball machine at Mr. Wright's store after school. Only very, very lucky people get both gumballs and the silver racer. It's a good thing that one of James's quarters is a Canadian quarter, which just so happens to be very, very lucky. But is it lucky enough to get him that silver racer? Bing! Bang! Kaboom! He's about to find out! Retro-style illustrations in vivid colors add to the classic feel of this new story by poet Nancy Willard, author of the 1982 Newbery Medal winner, A Visit to William Blake's Inn.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship, Food, Humor, Money

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 24, 2017

About the author

NANCY WILLARD was an award-winning children's author, poet, and essayist who received the Newbery Medal in 1982 for A Visit to William Blake's Inn. She wrote dozens of volumes of children's fiction and poetry, including The Flying Bed, Sweep Dreams, and Cinderella's Dress. She also authored two novels for adults, Things Invisible to See and Sister Water, and twelve books of poetry, including Swimming Lessons: New and Selected Poems. She lived with her husband, photographer Eric Lindbloom, and taught at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Reviews

[Barbra · Rating 1 out of 5]

A young boy has five quarters and knows that sometimes when you put your quarter in the gumball machine you get extra prizes. His last quarter is Canadian, so obviously this is set in the United States. Hoping this quarter will be his lucky one, he takes a chance and he ends up getting everything in the machine. However the store keeper takes all the gumballs and prizes back and the boy also looses his lucky quarter. After complaining the gets his racer but it only has 3 wheels. Not sure what young readers will get from this story. The only good part is when his friend shares his wheel.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit of a long book, but I liked it. I didn't realize one boy had a wheel of the other boy's prize until I read it a second time. Now I get it and the ending makes complete sense. I don't know how I missed that detail the first time around. The illustrations are I want to say a bit old fashioned. They remind me of the 1960s or 1970s drawings. They're not bad, it's just what I'm reminded of when I see them.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure why so many were lukewarm on this book. Everything about it, from the illustrations to the feel of the story and dialogue, is a pitch-perfect homage to classic picture books of the 1970s. I really liked this one.

[Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ha! This was a cute one! I can remember us kids and the gumball machines with small toys and other baubles in them as a kid in the 1950's and 60's! Oh! the coveted prizes we sought...
The story is a tad long for the age group that would be into the prizes, but it's entertaining. And I love the retro illustrations; so fun! I think maybe the diehard kid (like my daughterwas and still is...) will enjoy the story again and again as they try to get the coveted prize out of the machine.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spent so much change in gumball machines thru the years. Such a fun part of my childhood. What a treat when my grandpa gave me change, for the machine at the bowling alley. This story is fun and I was surprised with the ending.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 6 year old loved this book. I've had to renew it 2 times so far. It has become a nightly read at bedtime. Disregard older adult reviews, your children will love this book.

[Jenn Chou · Rating 1 out of 5]

Literally one of the worst children's books I've ever read. Two idiot kids waste their money trying to get a prize from a gumball machine at a neighborhood store, destroy the machine in the process, make a mess, and cajole the store owner into giving them the prize by whining and crying.

This book teaches horrible lessons about gambling, wasting money, and respectful behavior at establishments, to say the least. Seriously, WTF. Thank God this was a library book and not something I spent money on. Spending money on this sadness would make me as dense as the kids in the book.

Also, it was boring AF. Half the book is sitting through dull descriptions of the kids putting quarters in the machine one by one.

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty true-to-life as I recall it from childhood. The only thing I'd do is add one more page to the narrative: where, after all that fuss & emotion to get the silver racer, the boys lose it for a month-plus in one of their bedrooms & more or less don't even miss it, then rediscover it after a mom demands a big room turnout. They promptly start to play with it - until it breaks into a million pieces. Last sentence: "Oh well, I didn't really like it much anyway." Kids.
Great illustrations.

[Ms. Jeane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tells a story about two boys quest to get a car out of a gum ball machine. The story itself is a bit long but if you had an engaged audience I'm sure they would enjoy it. What I LOVED about this book was the vintage-feeling illustrations! They just felt so nostalgic to me! I saw the cover and actually had to look and see when it was published!

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could completely relate to the two boys in this story: they were just like my two sons totally swept up in the frenzy of getting the dinky little prize inside the machine. And just when you think all was lost, it wasn't. This book made me laugh. So much drama! They laughed, they cried, and then they shared the prize. And the store owner, Mr. Wright, wasn't a jerk.

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two boys collect their allowance and go to the gumball machine in Mr. Wright's store to get the small silver car in the machine with all the gumballs. When they finally come to their last quarter of allowance they decide it is lucky and will get what they want. But James doesn't want to give up the quarter that is special. What to do?

[Kristin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found the characters to be bratty and annoying. Yes, at the end, the two boys share, which I'm guessing is what the author wants the reader to glean from this story, but their demanding, whiny behavior before the last page makes that message become lost in my opinion.

[Tina Eckenroth · Rating 2 out of 5]

B.O.R.I.N.G. I gave it two stars because a one star book has to be outwardly offensive. I wouldn't share this book with my own kids one and one and I would not share it during story time. Not a purchase I would have made.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminds me of the "Leave it to Beaver" era. Two boys want a toy that is stuck in the gumball machine. They do everything to get it, and in the end they get what they have been after by sharing. Cute book. Funny illustrations.

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

What an odd way to write a book. The story itself is not unusual and the blurb on the back makes it fairly intriguing. The illustrations are colorful but not my style. It seems quite dated, but is not.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 2 out of 5]

Far, far too wordy. Dumb pointless story.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lucky Canadian quarter. Maybe a bit too clever for the intended audience.

[Jess Verzello · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the retro illustrations and simple story. A fun read anytime.

[Christine (Tina) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Silly...and not in a very good way

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two boys save their quarters to try and get the prize in the gumball machine.

[Marcie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure what to think about this. Wonder if it is Nancy Willard's last book. The story and illustrations seemed very retro.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

two young boys spend their allowance on gumballs trying to get the prize in the machine. can they get it? loved the way things worked out very cute. length is one on one or preschool.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do kids still get excited about gum ball machines??

[Lindsey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Do kids today understand this experience?

[Andrea Lorenz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. It reminded me of classic picture books of my youth - Ezra Jack Keats, Beverly Cleary, Round Robin. Two kids doing kid things in kid ways. Just a super fun read.

[Heydi Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute. Best for one on one Reads. Super adorbs retro feel.

[Colleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh, these kids shouldn't have received a prize for being whiny complainers.

[Keriann's Picture Book Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would make a better beginner reader. Also when was the last time 25 cents got you more than one gumball?

P.S. It's a caribou, James, not a dear. *grumbles in Canadian*

[Allison Turkish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple story. Better for kids 6-8. I like that the story involves a special Canadian quarter.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is Nancy Willard's last book, and unfortunately, it is a dull end to an otherwise illustrious career. I like the way the story starts out - the dialogue is fun and the writing style has an old-fashioned flair that reminds me of some of the original I Can Read books. But the story just never picks up after that initial introduction of characters and setting, and it's just not satisfying to read. Jeff Newman's artwork is nice to look at (I love his wordless book, The Boys) but the text just doesn't give him very much to work with. This book does not represent Nancy Willard's typical writing style at all - if this is your first experience reading something of hers, try something like A Visit to William Blake's Inn, Pish, Posh, Said Hieronymus Bosch or The Sorcerer's Apprentice before you decide whether you like her books.