Available:*
Item Barcode | Collection | Call Number | Status | Item Holds |
---|---|---|---|---|
33607001279523 | Holiday Picture Books | GREGORY | Searching... Unknown | Searching... Unavailable |
Bound With These Titles
On Order
Summary
Summary
She loves him.
She loves him not.
Wilhemina is the new girl in class. As soon as Norman sees her, he knows he'd do anything for her. But Norman isn't the only one who likes Wilhemina. And he's not even the biggest or the toughest guy around. Norman decides the only way Wilhemina will notice him is if he makes her a valentine. Then the other boys learn his plan and try to stop Norman. Will Norman ever get Wilhemina to be his valentina?Norman Noggs is in love. But the course of true love never did run smooth, and our hamster hero faces many trials in his quest to win the fair Wilhelmina. He lifts weights, becomes a frustrated Valentine-maker, and even runs up against the class bullies, who also have a crush on the object of his affection. It looks like Normans in deep trouble...at least until a karate-chopping stranger who looks a lot like Wilhelmina comes to his rescue. Sprinkled with poems, candy hearts, and Marsha Winborns lacy collage art, Valiska Gregory wraps warm prose around a tender message at the heart of Valentines Day: that the heart of the valentine maker is far more important than the valentine.
Reviews (2)
School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-This story has a number of successful elements-a first crush, two bullies, a strong female character, and a male protagonist who wins the girl through thoughtfulness rather than brawn or bravado. Dressed in a blue checkerboard sweater, hamster Norman Noggs sits behind the new girl in Mrs. Furr's classroom. Wilhemina has eyelashes that flutter "like butterflies" and cheeks as "pink as peppermint drops." She makes Norman feel wobbly inside. But tough Richard and big Arthur like her, too, and Norman is sure he can't possibly measure up. At home, he tries doing push-ups and eating broccoli to make himself bigger and stronger. He doesn't see Wilhemina's shy smile when he shows her where to put her cafeteria tray or helps her find her lost mitten. He spends hours writing and rewriting valentines, only to have them destroyed on the way to school by Richard and Arthur. Wilhemina saves the day with karate, and she and Norman end up holding hands. This amusing story will be enjoyed as a read-alone or read-aloud. The watercolor-and-gouache illustrations, depicting a school environment filled with bright-eyed and demonstrative hamsters, will elicit many chuckles. A cartoon heart comments on the action, and other characters contribute in dialogue balloons. Overall, a winning mix of plot, emotion, and humor.-Jackie Hechtkopf, Talent House School, Fairfax, VA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Gregory's (Through the Mickle Woods) holiday tale introduces Norman Noggs, a cherubic young hamster with a crush on the new girl in his class, Wilhemina. The love-struck fellow has some stiff competition in the race to win her heart. As stronger and bigger classmates show off for Wilhemina, Norman shows her where to put her lunch tray and explains the homework. For Valentine's Day, Norman painstakingly creates three poetic, heart-shaped cards for Wilheminaa lucky number since the bullies destroy the first two. In a fun twist, Wilhemina conquers the bad guys; Norman gets the girl and a valentine from her (Wilhemina's smile makes him blush "like a pink candy heart"). Winborn's (Grandma's Cat) cheerfully cluttered pictures balance the sweet moments (a moon-eyed Norman clutching Wilhemina's paw) with the comic (one would-be beau tries to impress Wilhemina by sticking spoons in his ears and straws in his nostrils). Less appealing is a cartoon heart that spouts superfluous comments and gestures on each spread. A warm-hearted confection. Ages 5-8. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved