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Gilbert and Friends
Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink
Setting off pandemonium among his schoolmates when he writes two not-so-nice valentines, Gilbert learns that there is always time for a change of heart on Valentine's Day, in a story about forgiveness and friendship.
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First published January 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
February 14, 2021
Here is another review from 2020 that I held over until this year. I was able to read this to the nephew back then, so his opinion of the story is in here.
This Valentine’s story is set at school during the holiday when the kids are giving out Valentine’s cards. Gilbert is writing 15 poems on cards for his classmates. He finds it’s fun to make up little ditties. Then, the last 2 cards to write are about Lewis, who tweaked his nose and Margaret who made fun of his glasses. He doesn’t want to write them a nice Valentines. He writes them nasty poems and then signs them either Lewis or Margaret.
The one to Margaret says: “Roses are red, you wet your bed, I think that you have rocks in your head”.
You can imagine at school that Margaret and Lewis get upset by this and they are both smart and they figure out that it was Gilbert who sent them. I thought that was a decent twist. Gilbert then re-writes some other Valentines and things turn out fine. There was a whole day of fall-out and Gilbert got some comeuppance.
The nephew thought the Valentines cards were funny. He likes the title of the book. Your feet really stink. He wants to write some cards like that. OH boy. He gave this 3 stars.
This Valentine’s story is set at school during the holiday when the kids are giving out Valentine’s cards. Gilbert is writing 15 poems on cards for his classmates. He finds it’s fun to make up little ditties. Then, the last 2 cards to write are about Lewis, who tweaked his nose and Margaret who made fun of his glasses. He doesn’t want to write them a nice Valentines. He writes them nasty poems and then signs them either Lewis or Margaret.
The one to Margaret says: “Roses are red, you wet your bed, I think that you have rocks in your head”.
You can imagine at school that Margaret and Lewis get upset by this and they are both smart and they figure out that it was Gilbert who sent them. I thought that was a decent twist. Gilbert then re-writes some other Valentines and things turn out fine. There was a whole day of fall-out and Gilbert got some comeuppance.
The nephew thought the Valentines cards were funny. He likes the title of the book. Your feet really stink. He wants to write some cards like that. OH boy. He gave this 3 stars.
January 4, 2017
This was a cute valentine's day read that had a great message: treat others with respect and don't lie.
February 5, 2013
Gilbert (the porcupine?) needs to write cute poems on his Valentines for each classmate. But what if he doesn't really LIKE all of his classmates? He decides to write brutally honest poems to two of them and sign a different name. Watch for the fall-out. This book gives us a good entry point for talking with students about the true meaning of the holiday and for discussing any potential problems before they arise.
February 9, 2015
In Diane deGroat's Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink Gilbert has a hard time writing nice Valentine's Day poems for two students in his cclass that haven't been very nice to him. He decides to write mean ones and when he does he signs them from one student to the other and omits his name. Everything goes well until they read their cards and shortly figure out that Gilbert wrote them. The entire class ignores Gilbert for writing mean poems but at the end of the day Gilbert apologizes and makes each of them new valentines. Everything's well again just in time for the class Valentine day party.
As I was reading the book I felt that I could feel the tension and how excluded Gilbert felt when all his friends were mad at him. At the beginning of the book, the author uses long, complex, and compound sentences, but as soon as the two students read their mean valentine cards, the text becomes choppy and short. I feel that the author did this for a reason, showing the readers that no one wants to talk to Gilbert or that the student's don't have much to say to him. The text even sounds sad when reading the book aloud. As soon as Gilbert apologizes the text changes immediately, being automatically more descriptive and happy.
The illustrator does a great job of making you feel apart of the story. Some images are set up so that the reader can look in on what is going on, yet other pages are set up to make you feel like you're a part of the story. The illustrator wants you to feel as if you are in the classroom and experiencing this with Gilbert. In the scene where Gilbert is sitting alone in the cafeteria, the illustrator makes you feel as if you are deciding where to sit and allows you to note that nobody wants to sit with Gilbert. Towards the end where the pictures show the party, the illustrator draws you in and makes you feel as if you are a part of the celebration too and have forgiven Gilbert along with the rest of the students.
As I was reading the book I felt that I could feel the tension and how excluded Gilbert felt when all his friends were mad at him. At the beginning of the book, the author uses long, complex, and compound sentences, but as soon as the two students read their mean valentine cards, the text becomes choppy and short. I feel that the author did this for a reason, showing the readers that no one wants to talk to Gilbert or that the student's don't have much to say to him. The text even sounds sad when reading the book aloud. As soon as Gilbert apologizes the text changes immediately, being automatically more descriptive and happy.
The illustrator does a great job of making you feel apart of the story. Some images are set up so that the reader can look in on what is going on, yet other pages are set up to make you feel like you're a part of the story. The illustrator wants you to feel as if you are in the classroom and experiencing this with Gilbert. In the scene where Gilbert is sitting alone in the cafeteria, the illustrator makes you feel as if you are deciding where to sit and allows you to note that nobody wants to sit with Gilbert. Towards the end where the pictures show the party, the illustrator draws you in and makes you feel as if you are a part of the celebration too and have forgiven Gilbert along with the rest of the students.
March 6, 2013
When Gilbert sits down to write his valentines, he remembers that Lewis had tweaked his nose and Margaret made fun of his glasses. He decides to write them mean and nasty valentines instead. But instead of signing his own name and taking credit for his comments, he signs Lewis's valentine with Margaret's name and Margaret's with Lewis's name. They both get upset when they read their mean cards, and they argue with each other. Soon enough though, they realize it was Gilbert who wrote the mean cards. Gilbert is left out for the rest of the day, until later when he apologizes to the two. He even writes new valentines for each of them.
This is a great lesson to kids that they need to respect other people even if they have disagreements. It's important to forgive others and I love that this story helps children realize that. It also has super cute rhymes.
This would be a great book for teachers to read to their students around Valentines Day or if there are students in the classroom disrespecting each other.
This is a great lesson to kids that they need to respect other people even if they have disagreements. It's important to forgive others and I love that this story helps children realize that. It also has super cute rhymes.
This would be a great book for teachers to read to their students around Valentines Day or if there are students in the classroom disrespecting each other.
January 23, 2016
I read Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink, by Diane deGroat. This is the second book by deGroat I have read, and neither of them have been a disappointment. This book, like Happy Birthday to You, You Belong in a Zoo, has a message of anti-bullying and correcting mistakes when they are made. The illustrations, by deGroat, are also fabulous and really make this book come alive. The way the book is written is a little tough for beginning readers, but middle elementary should enjoy reading this book.
I liked this book, and how Gilbert learns another lesson of being nice to those who aren't necessarily always nice to him. Although, the not-so-loving-valentine's cards are hilarious, he corrects his mistake of writing rude cards to Lewis and Margaret.
I would use this book as a read aloud in all elementary classrooms to talk about being kind to everyone, even the people who aren't always nice to you.
I liked this book, and how Gilbert learns another lesson of being nice to those who aren't necessarily always nice to him. Although, the not-so-loving-valentine's cards are hilarious, he corrects his mistake of writing rude cards to Lewis and Margaret.
I would use this book as a read aloud in all elementary classrooms to talk about being kind to everyone, even the people who aren't always nice to you.
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January 27, 2011My five year-old really enjoyed this book.
Gilbert, who has a class assignment to make Valentine's day cards for all of his classmates, cannot think of NICE rhymes for a few classmates. After writing two not-so-nice poems and not wanting to be blamed for it, he signs someone else's name on the cards and chaos ensues as feelings are hurt and then mended again. Of course, the stinky feet references (and some other kid-like humor) were a hit. The life lesson discussions that this book opened up between myself and my son were great (teasing, playing pranks, blaming other people, name-calling, apologizing, etc.). The plot was a little confusing and had to be discussed often for him to realize why the children weren't mad at Gilbert at first (the nuances hard to catch at time for comprehension at his young age), but it was wonderfully written and illustrated to entertain even an adult, in my opinion. It is definitely a "read-again" and can grow with your child.
Gilbert, who has a class assignment to make Valentine's day cards for all of his classmates, cannot think of NICE rhymes for a few classmates. After writing two not-so-nice poems and not wanting to be blamed for it, he signs someone else's name on the cards and chaos ensues as feelings are hurt and then mended again. Of course, the stinky feet references (and some other kid-like humor) were a hit. The life lesson discussions that this book opened up between myself and my son were great (teasing, playing pranks, blaming other people, name-calling, apologizing, etc.). The plot was a little confusing and had to be discussed often for him to realize why the children weren't mad at Gilbert at first (the nuances hard to catch at time for comprehension at his young age), but it was wonderfully written and illustrated to entertain even an adult, in my opinion. It is definitely a "read-again" and can grow with your child.
October 26, 2013
During the Valentine's Day celebrations, Gilbert experiences a difficult time being nice to his peers in his classroom. When writing his Valentine's Day cards to his classmates, he tries to write "nice" rhymes for each one but when he comes to Lewis's Valentine's Day card, he remembers how he "tweaked" Gilbert's nose, and to Margaret's card, he recalls her teasing him about his glasses. Gilbert decides not be nice towards them on their cards and in order to escape the consequences of his bad behaviors, he signs Margaret's name to Lewis's Valentine and Lewis's name to Margaret's card. Of course, when neither receives a card signed with Gilbert's name, the identity of the not nice Valentine is evident. In order to make things right, he apologizes and write them a friendly Valentines cards.
Interest Level: Grades 3 - 5
Reading Level: Grade level Equivalent: 4.2
Lexile Measure®: 590L
DRA: Not Available
Guided Reading: L
Type of Book: Read-Aloud Book
Interest Level: Grades 3 - 5
Reading Level: Grade level Equivalent: 4.2
Lexile Measure®: 590L
DRA: Not Available
Guided Reading: L
Type of Book: Read-Aloud Book
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August 5, 2016*Review posted on Mundie Kids on 2/16/2012*
Oh, the pain of writing out Valentine's Day cards. I just went through this with my youngest two kids. This story illustrates how tricky it can be to personalize the sentiment inside cards. Should you be mean to those who were not nice to you? Should you sign someone else's name to them? Well, Gilbert does both and the pain of watching your classmates get mad at each other wears on him. Also, the fact that people eventually figure out who wrote the "bad" cards is a valuable lesson.
As I tell my children, lies have short legs. Gilbert discovers just this as the kids who were mean to him (and he wrote the bad poems to) are sorry and he realizes that treating people the way you want to be treated is the best way to keep peace.
Oh, the pain of writing out Valentine's Day cards. I just went through this with my youngest two kids. This story illustrates how tricky it can be to personalize the sentiment inside cards. Should you be mean to those who were not nice to you? Should you sign someone else's name to them? Well, Gilbert does both and the pain of watching your classmates get mad at each other wears on him. Also, the fact that people eventually figure out who wrote the "bad" cards is a valuable lesson.
As I tell my children, lies have short legs. Gilbert discovers just this as the kids who were mean to him (and he wrote the bad poems to) are sorry and he realizes that treating people the way you want to be treated is the best way to keep peace.
December 1, 2013
This book made me giggle a little. Glbert writes his classmates Valentine's day cards but cant think of anything nice that rhymes. He thinks about the people who have been mean to him in the past so he decides to write them mean poems and instead of signing them under his name he uses two of his classmates names to sign the mean poems. Once the two students find out that Gilbert was actually the one who wrote the mean Valentines day poem they get really mad at him and leave him out of playtime the whole day. Gilbert realizes that the things he wrote were not nice and apologizes and writes new nice poems. This is a great community building book. It shows children the impact their words may have on others and it also shows the importance of treating one another with respect.
February 6, 2012
A nice little moral tale about what happens when a child who tells a lie gets found out. Fortunately Gilbert, a peculiar looking animal has the opportunity to put things right and all ends on a happy note. I have used this book with Elementary school children in a Valentine's programme where the children were inspired by the valentine's rhymes to write their own. However a lot of additional explanation is required for a uk setting, as sending valentines to school classes is not a common occurrence. There are some fantastic things about this book (the valentine's rhymes, and the dedication to librarians), but really this is not a great book, although it doesn't stink!
February 12, 2019
Gotta love this one! I mean, it's dedicated to Children's Librarians (like me!!!), so I HAVE to love it!!! Really, though, I've seen this book on the the shelves for years and never picked it up. The title was a turn-off to me. But it ended up in my pile to review this year, so I gave it a try. And you know what? It's a really cute book! It's a story of friendship, honesty, and learning to see the good in everyone. And, really. Doesn't this world need a whole lot more of that? Highly recommended.
March 1, 2018
This is a very entertaining book with a twist I normally read books at home but this time I read in school and it was cool that I was reading in a different spot.Thank you Diana deGroat for making such a great book.📚❤.
February 10, 2019
This is a good valentine day picture book for children. It talks about kindness and forgiveness and has a lot of laughs for kids. It talks about a prank he pulls on 2 other students and how he needs to learn from it and be kind.
February 15, 2019
All classes 1-5 liked this book and enjoyed the trouble Gilbert got into since he wrote 2 not very nice Valentines and signed other kids names. He is found out and there are consequences for his actions. It was nicely thought out.
February 17, 2017
My second grade son read this book for Valentine's Day. He thought it was hilarious, and wanted to write to a Valentine just like it.
February 13, 2018
Gilbert gives out two Valentine's Day cards with forged names on them, and upsets the classroom, and when the truth is revealed Gilbert discovers his prank doesn't go over as he planned.
January 14, 2019
A very cute Valentine's Day themed read that has a sweet message about bullying and how to talk through it with your peers.
February 29, 2020
I used this in the library with my younger students. If you ask the right questions, it leads to great conversations about choices and kindness.
January 17, 2021
In this Valentine's day book, Gilbert a little hedgehog is writing Valentine's day cards for his classmates. Instead of writing a nice card to everyone, he decides to write mean ones to two of his classmates, Marget and Lewis (since they have been mean to him in the past). Which ends up starting a fight between the two, and Gilbert eventually gets called out as the one who wrote the mean cards. Gilbert ends up explaining why he wrote the mean cards to Patty and Lewis and Marget let Gilbert get 'even'. Gilbert ends up making new cards for them and everyone has a good time at the Valentine's day party. The structure of the book starts with a child antagonist who ends up with a problem he needs to figure out how to fix. Characters don't have time to fully developed but you understand the feelings that are felt by them. Illustrations are big and easy to see! I liked this book because children will have a very easy time relating to it since its setting is based at school and on Valentine's Day which is a big day for the kids and has a good underlying moral. Just because someone has been mean to you doesn't mean you should be mean back. This book would be perfect to read the week or a couple of days before Valentine's day is celebrated in the classroom.
October 11, 2023
What are school celebrations of Valentine's Day but opportunities for kids to either express their crushes, thank their buddies, or else (mostly) pretend affection for classmates they don't really like?
Like all his classmates, Gilbert is tasked with writing 15 friendly Valentine card to his classmates. Even if he finds many of these kids to be very annoying.
Much of this book is supposed to be funny, but the so-called humor made me squirm. So I purposely didn't shelve this book under HUMOR.
However, I think the intended audience would love the snarky Valentines and the shout-out to being just naughty enough to be able to get away with mean-spirited behavior.
FIVE STARS on behalf of that audience.
Like all his classmates, Gilbert is tasked with writing 15 friendly Valentine card to his classmates. Even if he finds many of these kids to be very annoying.
Much of this book is supposed to be funny, but the so-called humor made me squirm. So I purposely didn't shelve this book under HUMOR.
However, I think the intended audience would love the snarky Valentines and the shout-out to being just naughty enough to be able to get away with mean-spirited behavior.
FIVE STARS on behalf of that audience.
April 18, 2023
Valentines’ day was coming up and the teacher assigned the student to write a nice poem to each classmate, but Gilbert didn’t want to write a nice one to Louis or Margaret because they were mean to him at a point in time. He wrote mean cards to both instead. Louis and Margaret wrote nice things to Gilbert in contrast to Gilbert writing mean ones to them. The class found out and they isolated Gilbert for a while until he apologized to Margaret and Louis and wrote new, nice poems about them. This book is nice to show children why they shouldn’t be mean as a response to someone being mean to them. The illustrations are nice and a great lesson to take from it is to be nice to all.
January 31, 2020
Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink by Diane deGroat is another story about Gilbert and his Valentine’s Day debacle. Gilbert is getting ready to celebrate Valentine’s Day with his class by making homemade Valentine’s Day cards. However, after two of his classmates make remarks about his appearance, Gilbert decides to give them mean Valentine’s Day cards. This is a great book to discuss not holding a grudge and moving past an obstacle, like bullying.
January 30, 2023
This book is about how Gilbert wanted to get back at two friends by writing them nasty valentines day cards. Gilbert learns that it's better to go up to the person and fix the problem instead of just getting back at them. This is such a good book that I would read to my class around valentines day. i would also include a fun little activity of my class making their v-day cards instead of just buying them at a store.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2023
My very favorite Valentine's Day read-aloud, it is the story of Gilbert, who while making Valentines for his classmates, decides to make mean ones for the two kids who don't treat him very well. And instead of signing his own name, he signs their names to each other. This leads to arguing, misunderstandings, but eventual reconciliation. I love the discussion it sparks in a classroom of kids, and the wonderful lessons that it teaches.
February 18, 2019
My son thought Gilbert's Valentine's rhymes were silly and he especially giggled at the mean ones. I liked how this book showed that writing something mean could hurt someone's feelings. At the end of the book Gilbert writes nicer Valentine's and becomes friends with those classmates that he hurt. It was a good teachable moment without being preachy.
January 30, 2022
Such a wonderful Valentine's Day story that teaches the lesson of being nice and to talk about your feelings. Gilbert is making out valentine cards for his class when he writes two hurtful poems for two people in this class that he does not like. No spoilers. I highly recommend this for kids of all ages. Illustrations are so well done. I loved them.
February 8, 2021
Delightful for adults too. Any adult who had to suffer through Valentine's Day parties at school can relate to resenting the idea of having to be nice to a schoolmate you didn't like. Read this with my nephews (6 and 7 yrs) and we laughed a lot.
March 1, 2022
This is an excellent book to read a few days BEFORE Valentine's Day. Who hasn't experiences that weirdness before Valentine's when you feel a little funny about giving one to someone who is mean to you or to someone you are a little attracted to. Would love to see more books like this!
January 30, 2021
This book was about a goat
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