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SURPRISE !
L'ours, l'écureuil et le raton laveur sont amis depuis longtemps, et aimeraient bien se faire de nouveaux amis. Alors quand une famille de citadins vient planter sa tente dans leur forêt, ils sont très excités ! Ils décident d'organiser une belle fête surprise pour leur souhaiter la bienvenue. La fête s'avère être une vraie surprise, mais pas exactement celle qu'ils imaginaient... Une histoire pleine d'humour sur le fait de se faire de nouveaux amis, et de savoir apprécier ceux que l'on a.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published September 25, 2018
72 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
March 26, 2022
Three woodland friends - Bear, Squirrel and Raccoon - long for some new friends and pastimes in this amusing picture-book from author/illustrator Caroline Hadilaksono. Unfortunately, their efforts to befriend some of the other creatures prove less than successful. Then a group of City Folks shows up, and the three are sure they're about to expand their social circle. They just have to plan the best surprise party ever. The party turns out to be a surprise all right - for everyone involved...
Surprise! is Hadilaksono's first picture-book, and what a debut it is! I found myself chuckling at more than one point, both at the animal companions' awkward attempts to make friends, and at their surprise-party shenanigans. The reader/listener will be able to anticipate where this is all going, and how the human visitors will react to their "party," but it is still fun watching it all unfold. The accompanying artwork is colorful and cute, capturing the humor of the situation. Recommended to young animal lovers, and to anyone considering camping.
Surprise! is Hadilaksono's first picture-book, and what a debut it is! I found myself chuckling at more than one point, both at the animal companions' awkward attempts to make friends, and at their surprise-party shenanigans. The reader/listener will be able to anticipate where this is all going, and how the human visitors will react to their "party," but it is still fun watching it all unfold. The accompanying artwork is colorful and cute, capturing the humor of the situation. Recommended to young animal lovers, and to anyone considering camping.
October 15, 2018
Subtitle: why I don't camp.
February 3, 2019
3.5 stars
A simple but fun story about a bear, squirrel and raccoon and their misguided way of making human friends. Cool illustrations, too!
A simple but fun story about a bear, squirrel and raccoon and their misguided way of making human friends. Cool illustrations, too!
October 17, 2018
This book literally made me laugh out loud in the Children's Library. This is going into my storytime rotation!
January 8, 2019
I'd rate this one a 3.5 because it has a twist that will surprise readers and a little bit of a different take on the great outdoors. The illustrations, created with watercolors and gouache and then combined digitally, are interesting and really show off the facial expressions of the characters. I also liked how the opening pages show the family's red van heading into the wilderness, and then the last two pages showing the vehicle heading home. I can just imagine the conversation the passengers are having as they leave their campground. Bear, Raccoon, and Squirrel enjoy each other's company, but they've known each other for so long that they have come to long for some new friends. When a family of campers arrives, they are eager to tempt them to stay and become friends. They go all out in throwing a party, but unfortunately, they use the family's food and supplies. Boy! Is that family in for a surprise when they return as the food has been opened for sandwiches made by Raccoon and Squirrel is juggling some of the food. But it's Bear's arrival with party hats fashioned from pine cones that takes the cake and prompts the intended guests to flee. They don't even stop to pack up the tent or grab their cooler as the three animals chase them and entreat them to stay. This one made me chortle all the way through because of the intentions of the three animals to make new friends, but how the humans misinterpret everything and freak out. I suggest reading it or sharing it when someone needs a good pick-me-up or needs to laugh out loud. I'll never look at the wildlife in the national parks in quite the same way again, though.
August 22, 2021
Ha! They just wanted new friends so they went out looking for them yet it didn’t turn out how they thought it would. The animals had good intentions but the other individuals didn’t see it like that. I think the illustrations were fantastic and they really were the highlight of this book. I also believe that by knowing the bigger concept of the relationship between animals and humans made this book a fabulous read.
These three, longtime friends need some excitement in their lives. Perhaps some new friends would bring that excitement so they set off together, looking for new friends. Now, this is a bear, a raccoon, and a squirrel and as they visited other animals, they weren’t looked at kindly. They were seen more as a predator. They decided to just sit and wait for some friends to arrive. And they did! As the new friends get comfortable to their new surroundings, the longtime friends decided to throw them a Welcome Party so they would stay. This is so hilarious, looking at the pictures as I’m imagining what will occur later. As they plan, it looks as if they’re enjoying having the new friends already. It’s quite a “Surprise!” when the party begins ahead of schedule.
What an entertaining book. I had plenty of laughs with this one and I really enjoyed it. I think this book has lots of wonderful opportunities for future discussions with little ones. Discussions about what happened? Why did it happen? Could something different had happen in the story? What do you think could happen next in the story for the longtime friends and for the new friends?
These three, longtime friends need some excitement in their lives. Perhaps some new friends would bring that excitement so they set off together, looking for new friends. Now, this is a bear, a raccoon, and a squirrel and as they visited other animals, they weren’t looked at kindly. They were seen more as a predator. They decided to just sit and wait for some friends to arrive. And they did! As the new friends get comfortable to their new surroundings, the longtime friends decided to throw them a Welcome Party so they would stay. This is so hilarious, looking at the pictures as I’m imagining what will occur later. As they plan, it looks as if they’re enjoying having the new friends already. It’s quite a “Surprise!” when the party begins ahead of schedule.
What an entertaining book. I had plenty of laughs with this one and I really enjoyed it. I think this book has lots of wonderful opportunities for future discussions with little ones. Discussions about what happened? Why did it happen? Could something different had happen in the story? What do you think could happen next in the story for the longtime friends and for the new friends?
May 9, 2022
I first wrote this review for my Instagram @miloureadsbooks
This story is about Bear, Raccoon and Squirrel, who are bored and wish for some new friends. They can't believe their luck when city folks decide to camp in their part of the forest. To ensure that the family has a great first impression, the animals decide to throw a welcome party including splendid snacks, fantastic entertainments and cute party hats. Yet for some strange reason, the city folks were not that impressed by seeing forest creatures all over their camping site. When they saw Bear, they ran off, without even bringing their party hats! Yet, the three friends know exactly what to do with the leftover food and had the best time next to the camp fire.
Such a whimsical and funny story! I love that the kids were so excited to see the animals in real life. I think they were thrilled to see a juggling squirrel, I mean so would I! It was just the parents who were not open-minded enough to enjoy wild creatures touching their food, haha.
Caroline Hadilaksono was born in Indonesia and moved to the US without speaking any English when she was 12. I think it is so impressive how she created both this humorous story and the gorgeous drawings, even more so if you know that her parents would have much rather she succeeded academically. Still she followed her passion, work hard and made such a beautiful picture book. The perfect first read for #aapiheritagemonth.
This story is about Bear, Raccoon and Squirrel, who are bored and wish for some new friends. They can't believe their luck when city folks decide to camp in their part of the forest. To ensure that the family has a great first impression, the animals decide to throw a welcome party including splendid snacks, fantastic entertainments and cute party hats. Yet for some strange reason, the city folks were not that impressed by seeing forest creatures all over their camping site. When they saw Bear, they ran off, without even bringing their party hats! Yet, the three friends know exactly what to do with the leftover food and had the best time next to the camp fire.
Such a whimsical and funny story! I love that the kids were so excited to see the animals in real life. I think they were thrilled to see a juggling squirrel, I mean so would I! It was just the parents who were not open-minded enough to enjoy wild creatures touching their food, haha.
Caroline Hadilaksono was born in Indonesia and moved to the US without speaking any English when she was 12. I think it is so impressive how she created both this humorous story and the gorgeous drawings, even more so if you know that her parents would have much rather she succeeded academically. Still she followed her passion, work hard and made such a beautiful picture book. The perfect first read for #aapiheritagemonth.
February 10, 2019
It was the Scholastic Book Fair last week and the librarian announced over the intercom that every teacher would receive a $5 voucher, but that she wouldn't put them in our boxes because she didn't want us to forget about them. Guess what? Because there was nothing in my box, I forgot all about it. Parent teacher conferences were over and I was just passing through the book fair on the way to the restroom before heading home. The book fair was closing. The room erupted with PTA volunteers calling out my name, "There's Mrs. Kyburz now! Hurry, we're closing!" They exclaimed that I hadn't spent my $5. I immediately had a committee searching for books priced at $4.99. I already owned most of them. And then I spied this little cute looking picture book and grabbed it because it had animals on it (I'm outdoorsy). Well, it's still kind of cute for little kids, but I can't decide if it would teach humans to be more careful with food out in nature or if would teach humans to try to feed animals more than they do now. Perplexed.
September 3, 2018
Surprise! By Caroline Hadilaksono. PICTURE BOOK. Arthur A. Levine (Scholastic), 2018. $18. 9781338139198
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Bear, Raccoon, and Squirrel really want new friends, but they can’t find anyone in their forest that is interested. When a human family comes along, the trio is ready to make a great surprise for their new neighbors – using all the things the family conveniently left around the campsite for food, decorations, and entertainment. Will their new friends like all of their work?
The forest friends are pretty funny! Their well-intentioned antics are reminiscent of awful Mother’s Day breakfast made with little, loving hands. And the opportunity to talk about how to set up a campsite so that woodland creatures really can’t invade and destroy is a happy side-plot.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Bear, Raccoon, and Squirrel really want new friends, but they can’t find anyone in their forest that is interested. When a human family comes along, the trio is ready to make a great surprise for their new neighbors – using all the things the family conveniently left around the campsite for food, decorations, and entertainment. Will their new friends like all of their work?
The forest friends are pretty funny! Their well-intentioned antics are reminiscent of awful Mother’s Day breakfast made with little, loving hands. And the opportunity to talk about how to set up a campsite so that woodland creatures really can’t invade and destroy is a happy side-plot.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
February 5, 2019
This cute picture book tells the story of a group of forest creatures - Bear, Squirrel, and Raccoon - who are terrific friends, but want to grow their community by making new relationships. But because sometimes it's hard for those outside of a peer group to look past their preconceived notions about the unique personalities of those of other groups, these guys have trouble making new friends. But when a car arrives with a family from the city, they jump at the opportunity to throw a surprise party to welcome them. They find terrific party food and decorations in the coolers, grocery sacks, and tent while the newcomers go off on a hike. Young readers will definitely giggle when they see what a mess this welcoming party has created! The brightly colored illustrations of the family, food, and campsite are definitely welcoming and fun, making this a good book to read aloud and share with young children.
September 3, 2018
{My thoughts} – A surprise indeed. I enjoyed reading through this book. It’s about a group of animals that are friends, but they are bored because it is always just the three of them. They want to make some new friends and try to when a family of humans sow up for a camping trip. However, their surprise doesn’t go as planned. Instead of being able to enjoy the day with the human’s they scare them off.
I think that any child can enjoy this book. It has it’s laugh out loud moments, especially when you are looking through the illustrations while reading the words on each page. Both help to bring the story to life quite splendidly.
I think that any child can enjoy this book. It has it’s laugh out loud moments, especially when you are looking through the illustrations while reading the words on each page. Both help to bring the story to life quite splendidly.
January 31, 2019
Bear, Raccoon, and Squirrel just wanted to make some new friends, so when some city folks come to visit, the three decide to throw a surprise party to welcome the newcomers. On the plus side, they ARE surprised. On the minus side, they don’t stick around for the party.
This is pretty cute, and it’s great for kids learning to discern the difference between what is said and what is happening. Pictures worth a thousand words! Opportunities abound for dialogic reading, as you can ask the children to tell you what’s REALLY happening.
Full disclosure: I received a free copy from the publisher (Scholastic) at ALA-Midwinter2019. No strings attached, though!
This is pretty cute, and it’s great for kids learning to discern the difference between what is said and what is happening. Pictures worth a thousand words! Opportunities abound for dialogic reading, as you can ask the children to tell you what’s REALLY happening.
Full disclosure: I received a free copy from the publisher (Scholastic) at ALA-Midwinter2019. No strings attached, though!
October 21, 2018
Bear, Squirrel and Raccoon are best friends. They're bored at the start of the book and try to make some new friends - not easy. They see some city folk arriving and want to welcome them with a surprise party. They set out food and decorate the tent using food they found at the family's site. The family is definitely surprised by Squirrel and Raccoon. They run for their van when Bear comes back with pine cone party hats. They leave but the three friends stay and enjoy the party.
January 17, 2019
Oh, my goodness. This one is so cute and funny. A lonely trio of woodland critters are so overjoyed when a family of campers shows up, they decide to throw a surprise party! Unfortunately, the party's recipients aren't as pleased as the animals had hoped...
Veg*n parents note: the family has several types of meat and a carton of eggs in their picnic baskets. However, this is just a minor part of the illustrations.
Veg*n parents note: the family has several types of meat and a carton of eggs in their picnic baskets. However, this is just a minor part of the illustrations.
January 13, 2021
Bear, Squirrel and Racoon have been friends for a very long time. They are ready for a new friend. But no one around them wants to be friends with them. When a family shows up to camp, the three friends are excited to throw a party welcoming them. But their party efforts are all for naught as the intent is wasted on the humans.
Children will enjoy laughing at the animal antics. The beginning of the story is clunky.
Children will enjoy laughing at the animal antics. The beginning of the story is clunky.
March 18, 2021
Friends Bear, Squirrel, and Raccoon are bored. They wait to see if a new friend will come into the woods. Finally they see a city family. They decide to do something splendid like a welcome party. They get the food ready, and the entertainment, and the decorations (they mess up the family's food and camping supplies). When the family comes back to the camp site, they are scared of the animals and they leave. The animals have a great time without them. Art is watercolors, gouche, and digital
January 7, 2019
A bear, a squirrel, and a raccoon walk into a forest to find some friends. One day city folk arrive and the three friends want to throw a welcome party. Well... the animals love their party and the city folk just run away.
Funny and adorable. I love the party hats! Definitely a book to share at storytime for either a party, camping, or summer theme.
Reviewed from a library copy.
Funny and adorable. I love the party hats! Definitely a book to share at storytime for either a party, camping, or summer theme.
Reviewed from a library copy.
January 19, 2019
Bear, Raccoon, and Squirrel wanted to meet new people so they found some city people and wanted to throw a surprise party for them, but they didn't understand animal language and instead ran away.
This is a great book for the classroom of early young readers that will keep them interested as well as show people don't all have to be alike to be friends.
This is a great book for the classroom of early young readers that will keep them interested as well as show people don't all have to be alike to be friends.
October 2, 2018
I totally love this! The illustrations are vibrant and inviting, and the story is really funny! A group of forest friends collect some campers' grub for a surprise party feast, but when the campers return they misinterpret the situation. Also: great for the fall vibes!
November 28, 2018
I could probably make this work for a preschool storytime if I needed. The illustrations were really funny (the forest animals are trying to throw a surprise party for the humans but they essentially just trash their campsite)
December 4, 2018
SO FUN! I'd like to pair this up with MONSTER AND MOUSE GO CAMPING by Deborah Underwood and DON'T FEED THE BEAR by Kathleen Doherty. This book gave me some much-needed laughs. (I don't care if I looked crazy laughing out loud at the reference desk.)
September 21, 2019
Three woodland friends decide to try to befriend some "city folk" by turning their campsite into a surprise party. However, from the human's point of view, they did not quite like the surprise! With beautiful illustrations, this read aloud will make children laugh.
August 31, 2020
Bear, Squirrel, and Raccoon are three friends who live in the forest. One day, some "new neighbors" move in, a family of humans from the city. The animals decide to welcome their new neighbors with a surprise party and... well... the humans are surprised all right! This is a hilarious picture book about what happens when things don't go as planned. Readers will feel like they're in on the joke from the beginning. Unlike the animals, they will recognize right away that the humans are on a camping trip... and that their reaction to the surprise party may not be what the animals were expecting.
Caroline Hadilaksono's humorous illustrations often tell a very different story from what is stated in the text, making this a better choice for kids who are old enough to make inferences about what they see on the page. The illustrations consist of mostly earthy browns and greens, putting readers right in the middle of the forest. In contrast, the human family and their camping supplies are clad in bright colors that pop against the neutral backgrounds, making them look out of place and suggesting they don't know what they're in for!
This book requires some higher level thinking that makes me hesitate to suggest it for storytime. I can see it working well as a classroom read with early elementary schoolers who are old enough to get the joke.
Caroline Hadilaksono's humorous illustrations often tell a very different story from what is stated in the text, making this a better choice for kids who are old enough to make inferences about what they see on the page. The illustrations consist of mostly earthy browns and greens, putting readers right in the middle of the forest. In contrast, the human family and their camping supplies are clad in bright colors that pop against the neutral backgrounds, making them look out of place and suggesting they don't know what they're in for!
This book requires some higher level thinking that makes me hesitate to suggest it for storytime. I can see it working well as a classroom read with early elementary schoolers who are old enough to get the joke.
February 13, 2025
Hahaha! I thought this book was delightfully funny. Three animal friends (bear, raccoon and squirrel) are hoping to make new friends and they finally meet some city people who have come to camp. It doesn’t go exactly as planned.
September 6, 2018
Seriously one of the cutest picture books I've EVER read. Absolutely adorable.
October 4, 2018
Bear, Raccoon and Squirrel try to make friends, but it's not easy.
October 5, 2018
Bear, squirrel, and raccoon want to make new friends. But it's not easy.
November 9, 2018
Lots of humor and a great read-aloud and a friendship message as well.
November 10, 2018
This was super cute and the illustrations are just nice to look at.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews