Gooseberry Park

I haven't a shred of objectivity about this delightful story of a squirrel named Stumpy, a bat named Murray, a dog named Kona and the wise and wonderful hermit crab, Gwendolyn.

I read this one aloud about a hundred thousand times and I loved it every bit as much as my animal-obsessed boy did. He, now an elderly teen, still reads it when he's in bed with a cold.

It's lyrical, sweet, and hilarious. There's not a mean line in this book, though there is sarcasm and teasing. There are slightly scary parts, when Stumpy is lost in the storm, but one always feels quite sure that Kona, Murray, and Gwendolyn will be able to find her and reunite her with her babies.

Sorry, young me would have been peeved that the animals ate so much horrible junk food; the baby squirrels would not have survived. And the whole thing, well, neither I nor my inner child can't suspend disbelief. Plus, it's just too DiCamillo.

In this animal adventure from Newbery Medal-winning author Cynthia Rylant, Stumpy Squirrel has just settled into a new nest in a magnificent pin oak in Gooseberry Park. It’s the perfect spot for her babies to be born! When they arrive healthy and strong, Stumpy’s three good friends--a Labrador retriever, a wise hermit crab, and a bat who eats Chinese food--are thrilled. But after a terrible ice storm destroys the pin oak, Stumpy disappears. It takes a special combination of courage, humor, and tenacity for Stumpy’s friends to rescue her babies and bring her home again. Arthur Howard's black-and-white illustrations illuminate the companions’ adventures throughout.

The touching story of an unusual friendship, from one of today's show more most masterful children's book writers. Now repackaged with an updated look and feel. show less

Kona the dog and Gwendolyn the hermit crab have made friends with a pregnant squirrel named Stumpy. When an ice storm hits Kona must try to save his friend. A fun book to read aloud.

A squirrels named Stumpy is having babies. But when a dangerous ice storm hits Stumpy's tree falls down a bat named Murry is with the babies. So Stumpy's friend Kora is risking his life to save Stumpy and her babies but when Kora gets there Stumpy is not there. So Kora sets of to find her.

I think this book is awesome and adventurous.

A great read for the 1st or 2nd grade set. Charming and sweet.

Stumpy Squirrel has just settled into a new nest in a magnificent pin oak in Gooseberry Park. It's the perfect spot for her babies to be born! When they arrive healthy and strong, Stumpy's three good friends--a Labrador retriever, a wise hermit crab, and a bat--are thrilled.

But after a terrible ice storm destroys the pin oak, Stumpy disappears. It takes a special combination of courage, humor, and tenacity for Stumpy's friends to rescue her babies and bring her home again.