Bink and Gollie

"Fish know nothing of longing."

This was absolutely delightful - Bink and Gollie are very different best friends who manage to love each other despite their very different approaches. This reminded me of the wit of Eloise, the parentless possibility of Pippi Longstocking, and the confident intelligence of The Exiles. The text and pictures are equally stunning - I could see this as a lap book, or for confident early readers.

Two friends with very different personalities must reach an accommodation with one another in the three stories found in this entertaining beginning chapter-book from co-authors Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee. Extroverted Bink goes right for the colorful socks in the first selection, while more reserved Gollie is horrified by her choice. Both must learn to compromise, after Gollie attempts to use their pancake breakfast as a means of separating Bink from her new footwear. In the second selection, Gollie embarks on a voyage of the imagination, exploring the Andes Mountains (all whilst in her own home), while an impatient Bink can't quite grasp that her friend doesn't wish to be interrupted. In the third and final story, Bink's new show more goldfish leads to tension, until she (Bink) realizes what is causing Gollie's resentment...

I greatly enjoyed Bink and Gollie, which, with its gentle tales of two friends who, despite their differences, are loving companions to one another, reminded me of Arnold Lobel's classic Frog and Toad books. That is high praise! I appreciated the way in which the two of them negotiate their differences, and eventually reach a compromise, as it is clear that there is true affection behind their disagreements. The conclusion of the book, in which Bink assures Gollie that she (and not the goldfish) is the 'most marvelous companion of all,' provided a satisfactorily heartwarming end. The artwork, created digitally by Tony Fucile, adds to the fun, perfectly capturing the differing personalities of the two friends, and the drama of their various confrontations. Recommended to anyone looking for simple chapter-books featuring engaging characters. show less

This is the story of two friends, Bink and Gollie. Each of them are quite individual, and they don't always agree, but in the end what matters most is their friendship and what they have in common.

Rather unusually for me, I've been sitting on this one for a week, unsure of how to review it. I've always liked-but-not-loved Kate DiCamillo's books, and as I'm not entirely sure why there's just a smidgen of a miss, I was afraid I wouldn't quite be able to convey why this isn't a 4.5 - 5 star read for me. Then there's the fact that there are very few words. Though not a picture book, the story is told as much through illustrations as the words, which are primarily used to convey the characters' speech. I like how individual Bink and Gollie show more are in both looks and temperament, and I like the way the sort of disagreements that friends have is conveyed in a realistic way without coming across as patronizing to the children for whom these spats are very real and very important. show less

This is a four star rating of the many who read this laugh-out-book regarding friendship that not only survives, but embraces differences and goes beyond toleration to acceptance and love.

Different as tea and coffee, these two delightful girls more often than not do not agree, and I believe that is the strength of the book. So often as children, and sadly as adults, we feel our friends must be like us. Forgetting that it is the differences that add color to relationships, Bink & Gollie have learned to remember how important they are to each other. And while they express consternation, they hang in there knowing the importance of friendship and love.

Through the frustrations of one who is compulsive and the other who is devil may care show more full of life and adventure, these two meet in the middle and embrace each other knowing that their friendship is well worth the little and big annoyances.

I note a goodly amount of people on LT enjoy this book. And, the differences of those who are bound to adult books, perhaps carrying a bit of disdain and unacceptance of "children's" books, Bink & Gollie know that what is one person's enjoyments, might not be for the other.

Exceedingly spontaneous, Bink is messy with hair flying to the wind as she rapidly whips around on her roller skates stopping at a sock bonanza as Gollie reminds her that she certainly does not need more outrageous socks to wear. Nevertheless, Bink is on a mission, and finds the most colorful multicolored stripped pair she can find.

"The problem with Gollie," states Bink "is that it is either Gollie's way or the highway." And Bink happily tells her friend, that she chooses her choice of socks by the "highway."

Like many who have reviewed this book, I simply love it! These two are learning a lesson that adults often forget, ie to meet in the middle and embrace the differences.

What a fun, and insightful book!

Highly recommended!!! show less

I absolutely loved Bink and Gollie. The author used dialogue to show the quircky personalities of the characters. For example, in the beginning of the book, Bink says, "Greetings Gollie!" Her blunt and over-dramatic manner of speaking help the reader get a better sense of her personality. I loved how the author juxtaposed Bink's little sister personality (always asking questions) with Gollie's big sister personality (imaginative, assertive, yet extremely sensitive). By the end of the book, I felt like I knew Bink and Gollie personally. They really leap off the page.

I also liked the structure of the book. Although the book was divided into chapters, the author chose to tell three semi-related short stories. The book was tied together show more through the recurring theme of the bonds of sisterhood and friendship. show less

This is another one of those "picture book meets reader meets graphic book" books. It's a very quick read, and could work for read-aloud or as an early reader. There are some phrases that are quite advanced, such as "compromise bonanza" or "extraordinary accomplishment." I would recommend this for a student who is beginning to move past early readers and wants a challenge. Especially those kids with a flair for dramatic language who would appreciate how Bink and Gollie speak. As a read-aloud, it would be a great lesson about friendships. We learn how to compromise, that adventures are more fun when they are shared, and that friends can get jealous occasionally. The artwork is fun, with lots of grayscale and color accents. It's great how show more the last picture of each story incorporates objects and lessons from the previous stories. That crazy bright colored sock from the first story keeps showing up! show less

Loved this! I bought a copy for a friend's daughter and thought I'd just read a page to see what it was like, and I ended up reading the entire thing, unable to stop (it's short, so that didn't take long, but still...)

It's wonderful how much personality comes across in so few words -- helped by the marvelous illustrations, of course. I was especially fond of love pancake-cooking, mountain-climbing, dignified Gollie.