Although Rabbit succeeds in helping each solve his or her problem, by the time he arrives at Goose's cottage, she is distraught over being forgotten by her best friend. She is baffled but pleased when Rabbit finally presents her with the now limp, soggy, and partially nibbled masterpiece. The cheerful and endearing gouache and watercolor artwork will make this a story-time favorite. Ask your students to talk about the treasures they could make to express their affection for a best friend. This new best friend is far from being all sweetness and light, which is why your students will ultimately take to her quirky, prickly personality, as does Heather in spite of herself.
Students can write about and share their own humorous adventures with friends.
Vernon's Baltimore neighborhood is a rough one, and his first reaction is to join his friends in tormenting the volatile, unstable, and alcoholic woman. However, a chance encounter with Maxine in a grocery store allows Vernon to view her as a person. When she realizes Vernon is struggling in English, she even arranges for a former schoolteacher, Miss Annie, to tutor him. As payment, Miss Annie asks him to help Maxine clean up her yard and to look after Ronald, a hapless, nonverbal, frightened, and gawky boy. Reluctantly at first, Vernon gets entwined in Ronald's life and organizes a neighborhood carnival to raise money for sneakers for Ronald to wear to the Special Olympics.