Synopses & Reviews
A bulldog and a poodle learn that family is about love, not appearances in this adorable doggy tale from
New York Times bestselling author Kelly DiPucchio and illustrator Christian Robinson.
This is the story of four puppies: Fi-Fi, Foo-Foo, Ooh-La-La, and Gaston. Gaston works the hardest at his lessons on how to be a proper pooch. He sips — never slobbers! He yips — never yaps! and he walks with grace — never races! Gaston fits right in with his poodle sisters.
But a chance encounter with a bulldog family in the park — Rocky, Ricky, Bruno, and Antoinette — reveals there's been a mix-up, and so Gaston and Antoinette switch places. The new families look right... but they don't feel right. Can these puppies follow their noses — and their hearts — to find where they belong?
Review
* "Robinson's brilliantly designed acrylic paintings, done in an earth-tone palette, beautifully enhance DiPucchioand#8217;s clever and witty text. His simple, graphic style, reminiscent of M. Sasek, is full of energy and sophistication, and the interplay among type, text and compositions leads to humorous results. Gaston will win hearts, as will his storyand#8217;s message of belonging and family. A perfect read aloud that will leave them begging for moreand#8212;an absolute delight."
Review
* "DiPucchio's lively, occasionally direct-address text was made to be read aloud. . . . In Robinson's elegant illustrations, the dogs' basic white forms. . . have minimal yet wonderfully expressive facial details. . . . Excellent messages about family, differences, and friendship are implicit. But first, just share and enjoy."
Review
"DiPucchio (Crafty Chloe) tells a poignant tale.... DiPucchioand#8217;s narrative gets a brilliant boost from Robinsonand#8217;s (Rain!) savvy stencils and acrylics, whichand#8212;like Maira Kalmanand#8217;s designsand#8212;simultaneously evoke fingerpaintings and elegant gallery work. Gastonand#8217;s charm is a blend of sweetness and style."
Review
"Robinsonand#8217;s naand#239;f paintings are the source of tremendous delight in this story, as Gaston and Antoinette try hard to fit in with both their own and the otherand#8217;s family. Best of all, and most reassuringly, DiPucchio leaves readers with the message that home is home, even when you donand#8217;t look like your brothers and sisters."
Review
"A tender exploration of nurture vs. nature. . . . Robinsonand#8217;s expressive acrylic paintings are bright and bold, yet simple, making masterly use of negative space and contrast. This heartwarming story of family will be a welcome addition to homes and libraries of all types."
Review
"[A] joyous tale. The pictures, rendered in simple shapes of warm acrylic colors, are a delight, celebrating each dog's expressive personality. Kids who might feel the odd man out in their own families will take heart from this."
Review
"A case of mistaken identity in two families of the canine variety produces perplexity in "Gaston"...a wonderfully colorful picture book for the younger set. In Kelly DiPucchio's conversational telling, we meet a boisterous puppy whose manners and appearance are not quite so refined as the rest of his poodle family.... In Christian Robinson's stylish, expressive artwork, we see nature and nurture exerting their separate claims on Gaston and little Antoinette, with a cheery conclusion that pays respect to both."
Review
* "Kelly DiPucchio (Crafty Chloe; Zombie in Love) and Christian Robinson (Harlem's Little Blackbird) team up for a heartwarming story about how the true sense of belonging comes from the inside, not the outside. . . . This is the story of choosing the home where you feel that you belong, not necessarily where you look like you belong."
About the Author
Kelly DiPucchio is a
New York Times bestselling author with more than fifteen books to her credit, including
Crafty Chloe and
Zombie in Love. She lives in Michigan with her family and a yippy Bichon Frise who does not like anything proper, or precious, or pink. Kelly dreams of visiting ooh-la-la Paris someday, and you can visit her online at Kelly.DiPucchio.com.
Just like Gaston, Christian Robinson has learned that what looks right might not always feel right. Today, Christian is happy to say that illustrating children's books such as Harlem's Little Blackbird by Renée Watson and Rain by Linda Ashman feels very right to him. If it feels right to you, consider visiting him online at TheArtofFun.com.