From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 2-When Gilbert the opossum takes on the part of George Washington in a play about the cherry tree, he is determined to do a good job. "I cannot tell a lie," he practices continuously, but his mother explains, "Sometimes it's better to say nothing than to hurt people's feelings." And when he borrows the hat from his costume to practice at home and forgets to bring it back, he is quick to blurt out, "I didn't take it!" only to be caught in the lie. DeGroat creatively weaves a story around truth and lies and accompanies it with bright colorful illustrations of the animals that make up Gilbert's class. This entertaining tale provides good discussion material and should be a winner at storytime.Anne Knickerbocker, formerly at Cedar Brook Elementary School, Houston, TXCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
K-Gr. 2. Okay, so the story of George Washington's cutting down the cherry tree has been proven more hagiography than biography, but this story, in which Gilbert the opossum plays Washington in the familiar incident, is so much fun allowances can be made. Gilbert isn't crazy about his role; he would prefer to be the tree so he doesn't blow any lines. Against the rules, he brings his Washington hat home to better practice his part, but he goes overboard with the story's signature line, as when his mother feeds him a new soup: "I cannot tell a lie. I don't like it." The next day he forgets to bring the hat back, and he implies Philip took it. He then gets a good lesson in the importance of telling the truth (and another in forgiveness, from Philip) that brings the story full circle. Fans of previous books about Gilbert, such as Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet (1998), will appreciate Gilbert's return, and new readers will be drawn right in by the humorous text, the sprightly art with its all-animal cast, and the message that peeks through the fun. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Book Description
When Mrs. Byrd tells Gilbert’s class that they’re going to be doing plays about famous people, Gilbert’s heart sinks. Plays make him nervous – what if he forgets his lines? So when he lands the role of George Washington in a play about the cherry tree, he’s determined to do it without any mistakes. But when his most important prop goes missing right before the show, Gilbert loses his cool and looks to blame anyone but himself.
The seventh story about this most beloved opossum is a wise and funny tale of truth and lies – and butterflies! – that’s a perfect tie-in for President’s Day, Independence Day, and school units on biography.

Card catalog description
Gilbert is nervous about portraying George Washington in front of the class, and he feels even worse when he cannot find his main prop.

About the Author
Diane DeGroat has illustrated nearly 100 books for children. She is also the author-illustrator of the popular stories about Gilbert the opossum, including Happy Birthday to You, You Belong in a Zoo and Jingle Bells, Homework Smells. She lives in Amherst, Massachusetts.

ANNOTATION

Gilbert is nervous about portraying George Washington in front of the class, and he feels even worse when he cannot find his main prop.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

When Mrs. Byrd tells Gilbert's class that they're going to be doing plays about famous people, Gilbert's heart sinks. Plays make him nervous ￯﾿ﾽ what if he forgets his lines? So when he lands the role of George Washington in a play about the cherry tree, he's determined to do it without any mistakes. But when his most important prop goes missing right before the show, Gilbert loses his cool and looks to blame anyone but himself.

The seventh story about this most beloved opossum is a wise and funny tale of truth and lies ￯﾿ﾽ and butterflies! ￯﾿ﾽ that's a perfect tie-in for President's Day, Independence Day, and school units on biography.

Author Biography: Diane DeGroat has illustrated nearly 100 books for children. She is also the author-illustrator of the popular stories about Gilbert the opossum, including Happy Birthday to You, You Belong in a Zoo and Jingle Bells, Homework Smells. She lives in Amherst, Massachusetts.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

DeGroat (Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink) brings back Gilbert, the affable opossum, as he prepares to play George Washington in a class skit reenacting the young Washington's admission that he cut down the cherry tree. When it is time to go home, Gilbert sneaks his three-cornered hat into his book bag so that he can practice his lines that evening. In a comical dinner-table scene, the aspiring actor stays in character a bit too well, insisting that he "cannot tell a lie" and hurting feelings by announcing that he does not like the soup his mother has made and that his younger sister is "a big copycat." But an interesting turn of events causes life to imitate art, as Gilbert finds himself reenacting George Washington's words in a situation that arises at school the next day. As always, deGroat's amusingly detailed watercolor art portrays the hero as he runs through an array of emotions, and Gilbert's animal classmates make an endearing crew. The dynamics between family members and friends are spot-on. This sprightly story delivers a clear moral in a gentle voice. Ages 5-8. (Feb.) Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.

Children's Literature - Carol Lynch

Gilbert finds himself in an unpleasant situation: his teacher has assigned all of the students to perform plays on the famous people they have been studying. His other group members are two very intimidating students that are sure to run the show. By virtue of teacher intervention, Gilbert is chosen to play the lead role of George Washington. He is given a three-cornered hat from the costume box to wear for the play, but it doesn't help him remember his lines. When the group members get frustrated with him, Gilbert decides that he is going to learn the lines perfectly. He begins practicing at every opportunity. In order to continue his practice at home, Gilbert secretly takes the hat home with him. His confidence builds and he is ready for the play. Unfortunately, the hat ends up missing and Gilbert is to blame. Before he realizes it, the blame has been placed on someone else as a saboteur. Rather than own up to it, Gilbert jumps right into the mix and blames his friend. Again, the teacher intervenes when the hat is returned by Gilbert's mother, but Gilbert must confront his dishonest actions￯﾿ﾽtaking the hat without permission and blaming someone else for its disappearance. Since he is portraying Washington, one of history's most notably honest figures, Gilbert learns a lesson about owning up to his actions and apologizing to his friends. This is a moral tale with a happy ending that is suitable for young readers. 2003, SeaStar Books,

School Library Journal

K-Gr 2-When Gilbert the opossum takes on the part of George Washington in a play about the cherry tree, he is determined to do a good job. "I cannot tell a lie," he practices continuously, but his mother explains, "Sometimes it's better to say nothing than to hurt people's feelings." And when he borrows the hat from his costume to practice at home and forgets to bring it back, he is quick to blurt out, "I didn't take it!" only to be caught in the lie. DeGroat creatively weaves a story around truth and lies and accompanies it with bright colorful illustrations of the animals that make up Gilbert's class. This entertaining tale provides good discussion material and should be a winner at storytime.-Anne Knickerbocker, formerly at Cedar Brook Elementary School, Houston, TX Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews