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Gilbert The Great
Critically lauded bestselling artist Charles Fuge ( My Dad ; Sometimes I Like to Curl Up in a Ball ; I Know a Rhino; Found You Little Wombat!; It's a Monster Party ) returns with a new, beautifully illustrated picture book on a subject that every child can relate how it feels to have a good friend move away.
Almost every child knows what it's like to move or to have a friend move away. With his dazzling undersea pictures in vibrant colors and a text full of heart and wit, Charles Fuge captures that sad feeling perfectly--and offers plenty of comfort, too. Ever since Gilbert the Great White Shark was a tiny pup, Raymond the Remora stuck to him like glue. Them, one day, Gilbert wakes to find his friend has left town to live somewhere new. "It's my fault," the little shark wails. "Last week I called him a sucker!" Nothing can console not his mother, not the funny clownfish, not his kind friends at school. Then he meets Rita, a disconsolate remora who has lost her shark. "I'd love to stick around with you," she smiles, as sunlight dances in her eyes. And that is the start of a beautiful new friendship.
It's another Charles Fuge winner.
Praise for Charles Fuge's Picture
I Know a
"[A] vivid rhyming picture book. The scenarios are all bright fun, and the ending is particularly satisfying. This will be a nice read-aloud for young children."-- Booklist
"Fuge's bright, warmhearted and silly illustrations fill each spread....The playful, rhythmic text and bold pictures make this a surefire storytime hit. "-- School Library Journal
Sometimes I like to Curl Up in a Ball :
"Buoyant and darling, charming and fun. This simple picture book will keep kids hopping."-- School Library Journal.
"Fuge relishes the opportunity to show each [character] striving for a highly idiosyncratic personal best."-- Publishers Weekly.
It's a Monster Party
"Fuge's colorfully imaginative illustrations make these lonely creatures endearing."-- School Library Journal
Almost every child knows what it's like to move or to have a friend move away. With his dazzling undersea pictures in vibrant colors and a text full of heart and wit, Charles Fuge captures that sad feeling perfectly--and offers plenty of comfort, too. Ever since Gilbert the Great White Shark was a tiny pup, Raymond the Remora stuck to him like glue. Them, one day, Gilbert wakes to find his friend has left town to live somewhere new. "It's my fault," the little shark wails. "Last week I called him a sucker!" Nothing can console not his mother, not the funny clownfish, not his kind friends at school. Then he meets Rita, a disconsolate remora who has lost her shark. "I'd love to stick around with you," she smiles, as sunlight dances in her eyes. And that is the start of a beautiful new friendship.
It's another Charles Fuge winner.
Praise for Charles Fuge's Picture
I Know a
"[A] vivid rhyming picture book. The scenarios are all bright fun, and the ending is particularly satisfying. This will be a nice read-aloud for young children."-- Booklist
"Fuge's bright, warmhearted and silly illustrations fill each spread....The playful, rhythmic text and bold pictures make this a surefire storytime hit. "-- School Library Journal
Sometimes I like to Curl Up in a Ball :
"Buoyant and darling, charming and fun. This simple picture book will keep kids hopping."-- School Library Journal.
"Fuge relishes the opportunity to show each [character] striving for a highly idiosyncratic personal best."-- Publishers Weekly.
It's a Monster Party
"Fuge's colorfully imaginative illustrations make these lonely creatures endearing."-- School Library Journal
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
4 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
About the author
Jane Clarke
152 books36 followersSee also pseudonym Hayley Daze.
Jane was born 17 December 1954 and brought up in Kettering, Northamptonshire, England. From 1972 to 1975 Jane attend the University of Birmingham where she earned a combined Bachelor of Arts with honours in archaeology and history. In 1981 she completed a PhD in archaeology from University College London.
On 5 November 1977 Jane married Chemical Engineer Martin Clarke, whose work took them to Mexico, Brazil, the United States, Wales and the Netherlands. Together they raised two sons, Andrew and Robert (both born in Wales).
During her doctoral studies Jane lectured at University College London (1978–79). Thereafter she lectured at University College Cardiff in Wales part time (1981–83), and also taught history at Bryn Hafren School in Barry, Wales (1979–83). After Jane moved with her family to the Netherlands (Koewacht), she began working part time as a librarian at the Antwerp International School. It was during this time when she started her career as a children’s author.
Jane’s husband, Martin, died of a heart attack in Antwerp, Belgium on 20 December 2001. In June 2005, Jane moved from the Netherlands back to Kent (near Deal) in England where she now lives.
Aside from writing children’s books, Jane spends a significant amount of time inspiring children to read and write. She frequently visits schools throughout the UK and Europe to do so.
Jane Clarke is a team writer on three different popular series. Dinosaur Cove (series created by Working Partners Ltd. and published by Oxford University Press), Puddle the naughtiest puppy (series created by Working Partners Ltd. and published by Ladybird Books Ltd.) and Battersea Dogs and Cats Home (created by Random House Children's Books and published by Red Fox.)
Jane has also done support work for various charitable organisations including Ellenor Lions Children’s Hospice, Institute of Cancer Research (The Clapham Grand), Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and READ (promotes reading in Africa).
Jane was born 17 December 1954 and brought up in Kettering, Northamptonshire, England. From 1972 to 1975 Jane attend the University of Birmingham where she earned a combined Bachelor of Arts with honours in archaeology and history. In 1981 she completed a PhD in archaeology from University College London.
On 5 November 1977 Jane married Chemical Engineer Martin Clarke, whose work took them to Mexico, Brazil, the United States, Wales and the Netherlands. Together they raised two sons, Andrew and Robert (both born in Wales).
During her doctoral studies Jane lectured at University College London (1978–79). Thereafter she lectured at University College Cardiff in Wales part time (1981–83), and also taught history at Bryn Hafren School in Barry, Wales (1979–83). After Jane moved with her family to the Netherlands (Koewacht), she began working part time as a librarian at the Antwerp International School. It was during this time when she started her career as a children’s author.
Jane’s husband, Martin, died of a heart attack in Antwerp, Belgium on 20 December 2001. In June 2005, Jane moved from the Netherlands back to Kent (near Deal) in England where she now lives.
Aside from writing children’s books, Jane spends a significant amount of time inspiring children to read and write. She frequently visits schools throughout the UK and Europe to do so.
Jane Clarke is a team writer on three different popular series. Dinosaur Cove (series created by Working Partners Ltd. and published by Oxford University Press), Puddle the naughtiest puppy (series created by Working Partners Ltd. and published by Ladybird Books Ltd.) and Battersea Dogs and Cats Home (created by Random House Children's Books and published by Red Fox.)
Jane has also done support work for various charitable organisations including Ellenor Lions Children’s Hospice, Institute of Cancer Research (The Clapham Grand), Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and READ (promotes reading in Africa).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
March 22, 2020
Sildīs sirdi visiem haizivju mīļotājiem.
June 19, 2012
As a childhood shark nut I would have been delighted if this wonderful story about a young great white shark who loses his friend had been around. But it wasn't so I had to make do with stories about anthropomorphic bears and giants and dragons and so on. Poor Gilbert loses his remora friend and attempts to deal with the feelings of loss and sadness. Along the way he meets another remora who has lost her friend and bound together by separation anxiety the two become fast friends. The story deals very delicately with the pain that young children often feel when a close friend moves away and could provide a great deal of succour. I read the story to my Maths set and they just liked the fact it was about talking sharks. Suitable for KS1 and early KS2.
March 12, 2020
A picture book about losing your best-friend and finding a new one!
PSHE - relationships, emotions
PSHE - relationships, emotions
February 18, 2020
Taj, age 5: I like this book so much that I wish that I could read it every single day.
Harper, age 7: I would give this 3 stars because I don’t think that it is called Gilbert the Great because what is great about Gilbert?
Harper, age 7: I would give this 3 stars because I don’t think that it is called Gilbert the Great because what is great about Gilbert?
June 15, 2022
Not good to kiddish
November 15, 2022
Gilbert, a great white shark, is lonely when his best friend Raymond, a remora fish, must move away. Gilbert's mother does her best to cheer him up, even taking him to a ship wreck and lets him eat the garbage there, although she feels that Gilbert shouldn't be eating that "junk food." At the wreck, Gilbert meets another remora fish who also had a best friend move away, and they happily decide to become friends.
Gilbert, the main character, is a lovable and kind shark who deeply misses his best friend Raymond. Gilbert's mother is another prominent character, and she is loving and affectionate towards Gilbert as she tries to help him process the emotions he is feeling. Raymond was only in the beginning pages of the book, but as readers we can gather that he was an amazing friend to Gilbert. The last character is the new remora fish friend Gilbert made, and she is kind and was also feeling lonely.
The illustrations are full page spreads in this book, and are very blue in color because the story takes place in the ocean. The text provides context for the illustrations, but isn't too complicated or lengthy.
I like this book because many students can relate to the feeling of missing a friend or loved one, and this book demonstrates that making new friends is always a healthy way to help the sad feelings of losing someone. I think it would have been cute if the book showed more of Gilbert's new friendship, but other than that I do not have any dislikes about the book.
I could use this book in the classroom for a fun read-aloud during a sea creature unit, or as a read aloud simply for the message. I think there are many students that can relate to a friend moving away, so this book will be relevant any day.
Overall, I thought this was a cute and short picture book and I would include this in a early elementary classroom library.
Gilbert, the main character, is a lovable and kind shark who deeply misses his best friend Raymond. Gilbert's mother is another prominent character, and she is loving and affectionate towards Gilbert as she tries to help him process the emotions he is feeling. Raymond was only in the beginning pages of the book, but as readers we can gather that he was an amazing friend to Gilbert. The last character is the new remora fish friend Gilbert made, and she is kind and was also feeling lonely.
The illustrations are full page spreads in this book, and are very blue in color because the story takes place in the ocean. The text provides context for the illustrations, but isn't too complicated or lengthy.
I like this book because many students can relate to the feeling of missing a friend or loved one, and this book demonstrates that making new friends is always a healthy way to help the sad feelings of losing someone. I think it would have been cute if the book showed more of Gilbert's new friendship, but other than that I do not have any dislikes about the book.
I could use this book in the classroom for a fun read-aloud during a sea creature unit, or as a read aloud simply for the message. I think there are many students that can relate to a friend moving away, so this book will be relevant any day.
Overall, I thought this was a cute and short picture book and I would include this in a early elementary classroom library.
March 31, 2020
Gilbert is a great white shark and Raymond a remora stuck to Gilbert. Raymond was Gilbert’s buddy and always took care of him. Then one day Raymond told Gilbert that his family had to move across the ocean. Gilbert became very sad. Then Gilbert, finds a new friend! The focus of this book is a very strong friendship that has to end due to Raymond having to move across the ocean. The book does encourage curiosity as children might think if Gilbert will ever see Raymond again. The topic or curriculum I would connect this book to is friendships having to end due to having to move. Many many children have to move to a new school and they are forced to leave their friends and all of things they know and make new. The illustrations are beautifully painted.
I gave this book a 5/5 stars. This is an extremely relatable topic to young children. Many kids in school move to different schools. This forces children to make new friends and adapt to a new environment. I would share this book to my students if we got a new student or even in the beginning of the school year being with a new teacher.
I gave this book a 5/5 stars. This is an extremely relatable topic to young children. Many kids in school move to different schools. This forces children to make new friends and adapt to a new environment. I would share this book to my students if we got a new student or even in the beginning of the school year being with a new teacher.
August 17, 2019
Gilbert is a shark, and his best friend is a remora who follows him around. Then the remora's family has to leave town. Gilbert mopes for awhile until he eventually meets a new remora in a similar situation and they become friends.
The story dragged a bit. A little too wordy, maybe. Did the text really need to explain the sunlight shining down at the moment of new friends bonding? Shouldn't that be purely visual? I'm a fan of Fuge's artwork, though I feel like some of the pages were pretty similar. There are lots of undersea puns, if you like that sort of thing.
So why is this called Gilbert the Great? What makes him great, exactly? It's not a story of pride or accomplishment. Other than he's a great white shark, I don't know. It just sounds good, I guess.
The story dragged a bit. A little too wordy, maybe. Did the text really need to explain the sunlight shining down at the moment of new friends bonding? Shouldn't that be purely visual? I'm a fan of Fuge's artwork, though I feel like some of the pages were pretty similar. There are lots of undersea puns, if you like that sort of thing.
So why is this called Gilbert the Great? What makes him great, exactly? It's not a story of pride or accomplishment. Other than he's a great white shark, I don't know. It just sounds good, I guess.
September 5, 2017
Gilbert is a Great White Shark and Raymond the remora is his best friend. They have been together through thick and thin as long as they both can remember. Until one day when Gilbert's mom tells him he has to move away. Raymond cannot go, he has to stay with his family so both of them are very, very sad.
Their moms both help them through their sadness and in the end both of them have learned to adjust and make new friends.
This is the perfect book if your child has to move to a new place or has a best friend that has to move away. I highly recommend it for all children as it could really help them deal with their feelings.
Their moms both help them through their sadness and in the end both of them have learned to adjust and make new friends.
This is the perfect book if your child has to move to a new place or has a best friend that has to move away. I highly recommend it for all children as it could really help them deal with their feelings.
June 24, 2018
another kohl's cares book to add to the list of kohl's cares and children books I have read! this was an adorable story about a great white shark who loses his best friend because his friend had to move a way. I could see it being a great story to read to your child if their friend has to move and to help the understand, that even though it is tough and hard to lose a friend because they have to move, they will make new friends, and be able to have fun with them too! I really liked how sweet and genuine the story was. I liked how the shark would be really be relatable to kids in a real human sense. A great fun little kids story, would also be really good to have as a bedtime story.
August 16, 2018
OK. This book was beyond ridiculously cute! It's about a young great white shark and his best friend the remora. It tells of their adventures together and the remora needing to move away. Sad over loosing his friend, Gilbert eventually meets another remora and makes a new friend.
The art in the book is so well done. Cute exppressive images. There is some cheekyness in them, but the best scene is that of Gilbert and his mom visiting The Wreck. It's a sunken fishing boat named Orca. ;)
The art in the book is so well done. Cute exppressive images. There is some cheekyness in them, but the best scene is that of Gilbert and his mom visiting The Wreck. It's a sunken fishing boat named Orca. ;)
April 19, 2018
It's cute but.....the Shark didnt cope very well and spent most of the book pining. Yes, it's sad to lose a friend but kids still try fun things and another lonely kid doesn't always prove a solution. But artwork was nice and still a cute little story of friendship. I like that they didnt make the shark a bad guy 😊
April 23, 2018
Gilbert and Raymond are best friends, but Raymond has to move away. This is the story of Gilbert, as he adjusts to not having Raymond with him anymore, and learning to make new friends. Adorable illustrations and a beautiful story. Really cute!!!
February 14, 2020
This would be a cute story to share with a child who has a friend or family member moving away. There were a lot of sea inspired puns/word play within the book which isn’t exactly my style but I’m sure appeals to some.
January 11, 2021
A beautiful story that deals with the loss of a loved one. My kids have enjoyed this book for 5 years.
Other reviews mention that Gilbert’s friend moves away, but that is not in the story and the reason for his departure can be left up to the imagination of the reader and audience.
Other reviews mention that Gilbert’s friend moves away, but that is not in the story and the reason for his departure can be left up to the imagination of the reader and audience.
March 31, 2021
A fantastic story about a shark who loses his friend, a remora. Gilbert is really upset but eventually finds a new friend in a similar position. A lovely story about friendship and losing someone. A good book to explore with a ks1 class about feelings.
October 22, 2021
As soon as it's hometime, this is the book that repeatedly gets picked out! Besides the children's obsession with sharks, this book is beautifully illustrated and has a lovely message, conveyed through the dialogue in the book and vivid imagery.
June 7, 2018
Reasonable book about having your best friend move. There is one big coincidence in the resolution, but not too bad. Mainly, it takes time and kindness from others, and that's about right.
October 29, 2018
Such a great book to deal with the situation of moving, friends, and young kids. Love the way the characters play out!
December 13, 2018
Cute story about making friends when your friend moves away.
February 7, 2019
Good social studies use to talk about friends leaving and making new friends.
March 7, 2019
Actually a great book covering grief. I liked it a lot.
July 16, 2019
Wonderful illustrations that convey a love and knowledge of sea creatures, as well as a sense of whimsy. It's always nice to see the shark as the good guy!
February 1, 2020
Saai, te gemakkelijk einde.
June 19, 2020
Gilbert was so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so happy with his friend Raymond the remora. but then he turned into a grump when Raymond left. What happened to Gilbert? Read to find out!
January 2, 2022
Story was ok, but Theo absolutely ADORES the cover.
August 19, 2019
The subtle Jaws movie reference in the book was a delightful surprise for the parents.
February 2, 2017
Gilbert The Great is a book all about friendship and how lonely you can feel after losing a friend. This book could appeal to all ages as the emotional side of it affected me now at 20.
I would aim this book at year 2/3 as some of the concepts may be difficult to understand any younger. This book could be used throughout key stage 2 as some of the themes could apply to older ages appealing to situations they may have gone through recently.
I would use this in the classroom across the curriculum. Some of the subjects I would use this in are DT asking the children to create their own wreck for the purpose of a tuck shop - hopefully with real food though and this could be further linked to healthy eating within school.
I would also use this in English, looking at visual literacy can the children create their own version of the story just using the pictures. Including sensory objects could also help to incorporate SEN and EAL children who may struggle with the reading and understanding.
The moral of this story is friendship and so I believe using it in citizenship could allow children to relate better to the shark rather than the teacher. An idea could be to have a shark toy for the children to talk to and share ideas and experiences with.
I thought this book was lovely and a good read for any age!! It is definitely one that tugs at the heart strings and the friendships formed throughout are heartwarming to read about!
I would definitely recommend 10/10
I would aim this book at year 2/3 as some of the concepts may be difficult to understand any younger. This book could be used throughout key stage 2 as some of the themes could apply to older ages appealing to situations they may have gone through recently.
I would use this in the classroom across the curriculum. Some of the subjects I would use this in are DT asking the children to create their own wreck for the purpose of a tuck shop - hopefully with real food though and this could be further linked to healthy eating within school.
I would also use this in English, looking at visual literacy can the children create their own version of the story just using the pictures. Including sensory objects could also help to incorporate SEN and EAL children who may struggle with the reading and understanding.
The moral of this story is friendship and so I believe using it in citizenship could allow children to relate better to the shark rather than the teacher. An idea could be to have a shark toy for the children to talk to and share ideas and experiences with.
I thought this book was lovely and a good read for any age!! It is definitely one that tugs at the heart strings and the friendships formed throughout are heartwarming to read about!
I would definitely recommend 10/10
September 19, 2012
Gilbert the Great is an extremely cute story about having to deal with a best friend moving away. Gilbert, who is a great white shark, was best friends with a remora fish named Raymond. They were inseparable until the day that Raymonds family decided to move across the ocean. Gilbert was not sure what he would do without his best friend. In the end, Gilbert finds another remora fish who becomes his new friend. This is definitely a story that would appeal to children because all kinds of different sea creatures appear all throughout as Gilbert is mourning the transition of finding a new friend. The moral of this story is great for kids to understand. It tells them that if they have a best friend that moves away or they move away, they can always make new friends to have fun with. New friends are everywhere if you just accept that you need to make new ones.
The illustrations in this book would also appeal to children. The facial expressions on the fish throughout the book definitely help you understand the emotions that are going through their heads. Children would definitely enjoy the pictures of all the different fish. I think that even if there were no words in the story, one would be able to know what was going on because of the great pictures and especially because of the expressions on the faces.
The illustrations in this book would also appeal to children. The facial expressions on the fish throughout the book definitely help you understand the emotions that are going through their heads. Children would definitely enjoy the pictures of all the different fish. I think that even if there were no words in the story, one would be able to know what was going on because of the great pictures and especially because of the expressions on the faces.
January 14, 2015
I read a book called Gilbert the Great. It was a sad but it turned out in the end. This book is about friendship and it is a very good book. I thought that it would be a non-informing book but it taught me that there isn’t just one friend there is a lot many fish in the sea. You can’t always have your heart set on one person, you can pick and choose.
There is this shark named Gilbert that had a best friend for a long time his name was Raymond and he was always by Gilbert's side. Then one day, Raymond had to move across the ocean and he had to leave Gilbert. Gilbert cried and cried for a day. The next day his mom went to cheer him up and took him to the wreck. It was a restaurant that served junk food so they rarely went there. Then he met a fish named Rita and she also had to move from the other side of the ocean here. And they became best friends and play the same games that Gilbert and Raymond played.
I recommend this book to the age group of any age. It tells a good story that is very informing to children and to remind adults. This is who and why I would recommend it to.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews