Most Popular Books by Diane De Groat

Gilbert has 15 blank Valentine cards just waiting for him to fill with nice Valentine poems for his classmates. But how can he write a nice poem for the boy who tweaked his nose or the girl who made fun of his glasses?

Gilbert''s excitement over starting first grade turns to worry that the teacher will be mean, the work too hard, and his classmates too unfriendly, but throughout the day there are pleasant surprises.

It is a serious problem when an alligator gets a toothache especially when it is afraid of the dentist.

Gilbert''s as thrilled as can be with his Martian Space Pilot costume--until it''s time to change for the school Halloween parade and he discovers that he''s taken the wrong costume bag . . . the one containing his sister''s "ballerina" outfit! Full color.

Third grader Annie Pitts is excited about getting the part of the swamp monster in a high school student''s low-budget horror movie, until she finds out how much hard work is involved.

Gilbert is nervous about portraying George Washington in front of the class, and he feels even worse when he leaves his main prop at home and allows another student to take the blame.

When a rabbit begins plundering Mama''s beautiful vegetable garden, Charlie the loveable basset hound attempts various ways to stop the quick and clever rabbit from eating up all the delicious carrots.

Gilbert the opossum gets stuck with a tattletale "buddy" on a class trip to Pilgrim Town.

Gilbert is excited about staying overnight at Camp Hi-Dee-Ho, until he hears about the legendary camp ghost.

Gilbert forgets to do his homework over the weekend because he is busy playing in the snow and getting ready for Christmas, but then he comes up with a solution at the last minute.

Charlie the irrepressible basset hound embarks on the life of famous rock-and-roll star before discovering that he misses the ranch.

While Alex sleeps, his dog Homer dreams about the game that will determine whether his team, the Doggers, or their opponents, the Hounds, will be champions of the world of dog baseball. Full color.

Laugh out-loud dog fun! "Dogs do fetch tennis balls . . . dogs do not play tennis." "Dogs ride in cars . . . dogs do not drive them." Kids love books about dogs, and this book explains the things that dogs just won''t do! Hysterical situations are enhanced by the bold illustrations, and fold-out flaps make this a true interactive experience for the reader. Real laugh out-loud fun!

Charlie the irrepressible basset hound embarks on the life of famous rock-and-roll star before discovering that he misses the ranch.

Before Lewis''s birthday party, Gilbert''s mother wisely substitutes a toy for the frying pan Gilbert wants to give Lewis, the class meanie. By the creator of Jingle Bells, Homework Smells. Reprint.

Follows the efforts of the ranch basset hound to teach rules to a new puppy who sleeps in Charlie''s bed, drinks his water, and eats his bacon.

It''s the last day of first grade and Gilbert isn''t sure what he''s feeling. He''s excited about summer vacation, but he will miss his teacher and his friends. He''s also uncertain about the awards to be presented -- what can he possibly be best at? As the normal class routine is replaced by end of school activities, Gilbert deals with this typical rite of passage in a memorable and reassuring manner.

When Gilbert and Lola''s cousin Wally comes to visit for Easter, he learns a lesson about being greedy during the annual Easter egg hunt.

When Annie and her third grade class put on a play about nutrition, it has more surprises than the teacher expected.

Gilbert the opossum imagines himself as Surfer Dude on a fun-filled day at the beach.

To keep her out of trouble, a tough city kid is sent to live in the country where she reluctantly finds herself caring about the land, ecology, and a pocket gopher.