Gilbert, the Surfer Dude

Diane deGroat
HarperCollins (2009)
ISBN 9780061252112
Reviewed by Cayden Aures (age 5) and Mom for Reader Views (7/09)


Cayden:  “This is the first book that I had that had chapters in it!  I liked that I knew a lot of the words in the book, but I did need help with some of them like possum and jellyfish.  I thought the story was funny, especially at the end!  I think I am getting big since I can read chapter books now!!”

Parent’s comments: 

The Level 2 books in the “I Can Read!” series are the perfect stage for my son right now.  He was so excited about the fact that there were actual chapters in the book that he read it over and over just so he could say “Chapter 1,” “Chapter 2,” etc.  He did find the storyline to be entertaining also though!  “Gilbert the Surfer Dude” by Diane deGroat is definitely a book that held my son’s attention and assisted him in the “learning to read” process.


Reviewed by Grayce Richardson (age 5) for Reader Views (5/09)


My grandma has Gilbert. [Laughs at the title] Oh my gosh – the surfer dude. How can porcupines be surfer dudes? So he’s a possum! I wonder what’s scary in the water. I love the ending, it’s silly. The funny part was when the bathing suit fell off and he was naked in the water [laughs].

Parent’s comments: Awesome book. Grayce asked for me to immediately read it to her again. There are little mysteries throughout the book including: what Gilbert forgot to bring, what lurks in the water and what he loses at the end. It’s so much fun to read, even as an adult. “Gilbert, the Surfer Dude” by Diane DeGroat is simply well-crafted and super funny. We would buy this book for our own library at home.

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