Gumption!

by Elise Broach, Richard Egielski (Illustrator)

Peter's been invited to go on a safari. He's

1. Uncle Nigel, who's an explorer

2. hiking shorts

3. a canteen

But what he will need most is a bit of gumption.

( n. Courage; spunk; fortitude; resourcefulness; good sense. )

Oh, wait...there are crocodiles in the river? Then he might need a lot of it!

Genres: Picture Books, Adventure, Childrens, Humor, Animals, Family, Nature

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Elise Broach is the New York Times bestselling author of children's books including Masterpiece, Shakespeare's Secret, Desert Crossing, Missing on Superstition Mountain (the first book in the Superstition Mountain Trilogy) as well as several picture books. Her books have been selected as ALA notable books, Junior Library Guild selections, a Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book, a New York Public Library Best Book for the Teenage, an IRA Teacher's Choice, an E.B. White Read Aloud Award, and nominated for an Edgar Award, among other distinctions. Ms. Broach holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in history from Yale University. She was born in Georgia and lives in the woods of rural Connecticut, walking distance from three farms, a library, a post office and two country stores.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/eliseb...

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally a worthy successor to Hey, Al which is absolutely magical, perfect, and unparalleled. Broach, who has written an MG I liked, gave Egielski the right story for his talents. Lots of detail told in the pictures that is not told in the text, and that is a joy to spend time looking at. Plot and theme of story both entertaining. I do recommend this picture book for ages 4-8, and for young-at-heart adults.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uncle Nigel, the explorer, is taking Peter on an African expedition. It looks like Uncle Nigel could use a refresher course on how to survive in the jungle. Peter is younger and smaller than Uncle Nigel and has trouble dealing with the dense vegetation. With no fear, Peter gets help from various animals to make his way. His goal to see a Zimbobo Mountain Gorilla. Peter used his GUMPTION to not only traverse the jungle but to be alert to what is going on around him.
At the end Uncle Nigel is without his knife, his hat, his canteen and his life vest. He can be glad he still has Peter.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter is going on a safari with his favorite Uncle Nigel. Hiking five miles through the jungle to find a rare Zimbobo Mountain Gorilla won't be easy, but Uncle Nigel reminds Peter is all that he needs is a bit of gumption. This humorous and fantastic tale of situation awareness will bring smiles to the reader as Peter and his favorite Uncle Nigel trek onward to their final destination.

[Tony Pope · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little boy goes with his favorite uncle on an expedition to find the elusive Zimbobo Mountain Gorilla. On this exploration, the uncle always seems to just miss out seeing amazing sites and animals (including the gorilla) on the adventure.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Art feels heavily influenced by Maurice Sendak. Kids will enjoy it, but I felt a little put off by the adult being a dolt, completely oblivious to what was happening . . . and I can also appreciate it that that's what a young audience will be tickled about.

[Janet Schleh · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those children’s books that I always used to use as a teacher when discussing vocabulary and one of those “old” words that kids never hear these days!!
The pictures are fun to follow because that tell you so much more than the “story”!

[Ms.Gaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

A colorful and funny adventure. Sure to be a hit with the preschool crowd.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story, language, and pictures. Something new to discover with each reading.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was amazing; Gumption showed a lotta pictures that were cool.

[Y.Poston]

very cute, fun & funny!

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

An elementary and up adventure between a boy and his uncle roaming the outdoors in gun and silly ways.

[BreAnna (Bre'sBooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Sherry Tobin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My boys laughed so much at this one. It was their favorite of the day

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gumption! by Elise Broach, illustrated by Richard Egielski is the story of Peter and an African safari with his loud, funny, brave Uncle Nigel, an explorer, to spot the rare Zimbobo Mountain Gorilla. Uncle Nigel keeps urging his Peter on by saying "All it takes is a bit of gumption." Yet the oblivious Nigel never sees the problems Peter is having, or all the animals that assist his nephew.

The text focuses on the observations of Uncle Nigel, while the illustrations show the action taking place behind him between Peter and the jungle animals.

The humorous, zany illustrations carry this story. They reveal the ingenuity of Peter versus the stiff upper lip doggedness (and lack of awareness) of Nigel. The illustrations are rendered in ink, pens and watercolor on paper. Bright colors draw readers to the action.

For ages 6 to 9, humor, adventure, animals, jungle themes, and fans of
Elise Broach and Richard Egielski.

[Jenny Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Age:
Grades K-4

Genre:
historical fiction; science (space) fiction

Diversity:
African American; history

Illustrations:
The illustrations are created with pens, ink, and watercolors.

Personal response:
The book is very clever because it tells half the story with pictures, so it is important to really pay attention to what is going on in the pictures. The uncle, who's supposed to be the explorer, reminds me of Inspector Gadget from cartoons because he is very oblivious to things and the boy Peter would equate to being Penny from the cartoon. I found the book to be very fun and really enjoyed the illustrations. This book also has repetition through the story so it would be great to read to younger children.

Curricular or programming connections:
This book would be good for a science lesson on jungle animals or language arts lesson surrounding the word "gumption".

[Lynn K. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the story of a boy and his beloved uncle going on an adventure. The uncle is seemingly oblivious to any difficulties the boy is experiencing and subsequent assistance the nephew received from the wild animals, repeatedly telling his nephew all he needs is a little gumption (of which, the nephew never needs).

Cute story, but not amazing. However, the illustrations are engaging visually and allow for young readers to tell the story-behind-the-story!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uncle Nigel is teaching his nephew, Peter, how to be a great explorer. As they start their expedition from the Wanabutu Adventure Camp, they are seeking the Zimbobo Mountain Gorilla. "The jungle is full of surprises. Now, tally ho!" As they reach obstacles, Uncle Nigel tells Peter that all he needs is a little gumption. But Peter is getting a lot more help than Uncle Nigel realizes.

A great book where the pictures reveal things to the reader that the character misses.

[Kortney Lyman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gumption is a realistic fiction book about a boy, Peter, and his uncle going on an African safari. The book does a good job of using connective sentences to start challenging the reader as well as many pictures still for the children. I would use this book in my classroom to teach students that anything can be possible as long as you have some gumption!

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book about a little boy named Peter. He is invited by his Uncle Nigel to take a trek through the jungle to look at some interesting life. When Peter thinks he can't do something while on the trail, his uncle always tells him, "Gumption, my boy!" C.2010, genre-concept/fantasy

[Phoebe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Uncle Nigel takes Peter along on his search for the Zimbobo Mountain Gorilla, declaring that though the trek will be tough, a bit of gumption will get them through. Cute enough story but sometimes the art is hard to interpret.

[Jess Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Nonsense, my boy! All it takes is a bit of gumption," says Uncle Nigel to his nephew Peter. Anything that seems difficult can be overcome on this jungle exploration with a bit of gumption. Cute story with bold illustrations done by Caldecott medalist Richard Egielski, albeit a tad forgettable.

[Christine Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Peter goes on an African adventure with his beloved Uncle Nigel, who hopes to spot a rare gorilla, the oblivious Nigel urges Peter on by telling him to have gumption, while Peter keeps his eyes open and uses his ingenuity. www.hcpl.net

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome. I picked it for the name ... couldn't we all use a bit of gumption?


Best shared in a small group where kids can get a good look at the pictures. Those are where most of the jokes happen. ;]

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silly story that reminded me a bit of the Berenstain Bear books. The ones where Papa bear is trying to teach brother bear a lesson but ends up having Brother save him or help him through the whole adventure.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, I had to work it a bit but the kids LOVED This in Ready to Read. If you read it flat and don't explain the pictures this would be best in a one-on-one setting. By the end the kids were screaming 'GUMPTION"

[Laura Komos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reminds me of how children are so in-tune to wonder and observing the world around them. while adults overlook so much! It will also be a good book to remind my first graders to use the picture clues.

[Aimee Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter and his favorite uncle trek through the jungle in search of the rare and wild Zimbobo Mountain Gorilla! To keep up with Uncle Nigel, Peter must prove that he has the gumption to be a real explorer.

[Serina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I loved the mix of words and nonwords. And the great theme of just sticking with something. I loved the tongue in check action of the little boy 'defeating' the animals while th uncle remained oblvious. Also enjoy the style of pictures too, realistic with a small cartoonish effect.

[Brenda Pritchard]

preschooler story times; narrative skills, print motivation, vocabulary building

This book is about a boy who goes on an adventure with his uncle. It reminds me of "Where the Wild Things Are". They go through the jungle and spy all kinds of animals.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clever and amusing.