Gooseberry Park - by Cynthia Rylant (Paperback)

About the Book

A terrible ice storm sends the residents of Gooseberry Park scrambling. Kona, the chocolate Labrador, is determined to find his good friend Stumpy the squirrel, whose babies are all alone.

Book Synopsis

This "impeccably paced fantasy"* from Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant is a don't-miss classic animal adventure.

Told from the perspective of four animal friends and filled with charming black-and-white illustrations, Gooseberry Park works well both as a read-aloud and as a fun independent book for second through fourth graders.

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.

Plus the adventures continue in Gooseberry Park and the Master Plan and the third book in the series, A Kitten in Gooseberry Park.

*starred Publishers Weekly review

Review Quotes

"First-rate entertainment. Readers will relish every moment of this impeccably paced fantasy and its winning depictions of the unique perspectives and quandaries of four unlikely companions." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Sophisticated and funny. A tender tale delivered by a sure hand." -- Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

CYNTHIA RYLANT is the acclaimed author of more than a hundred books for young people, and her novel Missing May received the Newbery Medal. She lives in Lake Oswego, Oregon.
ARTHUR HOWARD is the illustrator of the Mr. Putter & Tabby series by Cynthia Rylant and the Bubba and Beau series by Kathi Appelt. He has also written and illustrated five picture books of his own. He lives in New York City.