Antoinette (Gaston and Friends Series)

by Kelly DiPucchio, Christian Robinson (Illustrator)

Overview

A 2017 Parents’ Choice Silver Honor Winner

“Fans of Gaston (2014) rejoice! Now it’s Antoinette’s turn to shine.” —Booklist (starred review)
“Delightful…an action-packed romp.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Three cheers for the winning Antoinette!” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Meet Gaston’s friend Antoinette!

Antoinette—a very special poodle—learns to follow her heart and be herself in this charming companion to Kelly DiPucchio and Christian Robinson’s beloved Gaston.

Antoinette’s three burly brothers each have a special talent. Rocky is clever. Ricky is fast! And Bruno is STRONG. Mrs. Bulldog reassures Antoinette that there is something extra special about her—but Antoinette is not so sure.

Then one day, while Antoinette plays in the park with her friend Gaston, Gaston’s sister Ooh-La-La goes missing. Antoinette feels a tug in her heart and a twitch in her nose. She must find Ooh-La-La. She will not give up!

Can Antoinette rescue the puppy in peril—and discover what makes her extra special along the way?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781481457842
Publisher:	Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	02/14/2017
Series:	Gaston and Friends Series
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	382,527
File size:	69 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Kelly DiPucchio is the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of Grace for President and numerous other books for kids, including Super Manny Stands Up!; Crafty Chloe, Zombie in Love, Gaston, and Antoinette. She lives with her husband and three children in Michigan. You can find out more about Kelly and her books at KellyDiPucchio.com.
Christian Robinson’s books for young readers include Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker by Patricia Hruby Powell, which was a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book as well as a Robert F. Sibert Informational Honor Book; Harlem’s Little Blackbird by Renée Watson, which was an NAACP Image Award nominee; and Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña, which earned four starred reviews, was a New York Times bestseller, and won the 2016 Newbery Medal, a 2016 Caldecott Honor, and a 2016 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor. Christian’s recent book Leo: A Ghost Story, written by Mac Barnett, also received four starred reviews. Visit Christian online at TheArtofFun.com.

Editorial Reviews

★ 11/14/2016
In a delightful sequel to 2014’s Gaston, Gaston the bulldog’s poodle counterpart, Antoinette, wonders what she has to offer compared to her bulldog brothers Rocky, Ricky, and Bruno, who are—respectively—clever, fast, and strong. Antoinette’s mother has faith: “Chin up!” she barks. “You have something extra special. I can feel it in my bones!” That something extra is persistence, readers discover, as the two canine families realize that Gaston’s brother Ooh-La-La is missing: “Antoinette felt a tug in her heart and a twitch in her nose. She could not—would not—give up!” From then on it’s an action-packed romp, as Antoinette trails Ooh-La-La to the Louvre, smuggles herself past the guards, and carries out a heart-stopping rescue—complete with an instant replay—atop a famous sculpture. Robinson’s Parisian spreads are full of retro verve, but he doesn’t overlook the city’s ordinary inhabitants—a garbage collector, a bubble blower in the park, a woman in a head scarf driving a car. DiPucchio excels in showing rather than telling, and it’s clear that beneath Antoinette’s fluffy exterior lies the heart of a hero. Ages 4–8. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly

* "Fans of Gaston (2014) rejoice! Now it's Antoinette's turn to shine...fun for repeated readings."

Booklist

"It's a fact of family life that every child gets a reputation: Rocky is the clever one, Bruno is strong. But what about Antoinette? "Unlike her burly brothers, she still hadn't quite discovered what she was good at," Kelly DiPucchio explains of the poodle-heroine in "Antoinette"...a delightful companion to the 2014 picture book "Gaston."
Here again the pages brim with Christian Robinson's joyful, naif artwork as we return to the bustle of two Parisian families of dogs. Everyone is frisking in the park one day when a puppy named Ooh-La-La goes missing. Worried poodles hunt for her without success; anxious bulldogs seek but do not find. "In that moment, Antoinette felt a tug in her heart and a twitch in her nose. She could not—would not—give up!" In this spirited adventure for readers ages 4-8, it turns out that Antoinette's talent lies in the degree of her doggedness."

February 2017 The Wall Street Journal

Mrs. Bulldog knows that her four puppies all have special traits. Rocky is “clever,” Ricky “fast,” and Bruno “strong.” Antoinette is worried that she has not demonstrated anything special, but her mom is confident she will. The family spends time at the park each day, playing with Mrs. Poodle’s puppies Fi-fi, Foo-Foo, Ooh-La-La, and Gaston. On this particular day, one of the pups has gone missing. Rocky, Ricky, and Bruno try to apply their talents to the problem, but to no avail. Antoinette is determined to find Ooh-La-La. She must travel the intimidating streets of Paris, and go places “no dogs [are] allowed!” but ultimately, Antoinette saves the day—and Ooh-La-La. All’s well that ends well, in a story that is “trés bien!” A glimpse at the future lets readers (who may be familiar with the author and illustrator’s other famous work, Gaston) in on a little secret about what becomes of the dogs and their friends. This sweet adventurous tale of blossoming identity will appeal to any child who has wondered “Am I special?” or “What will I be?” Recommended; this book has a lot to offer to fans of determined characters. Reviewer: Heidi Hauser Green; Ages 3 to 8.

Children's Literature - Heidi Hauser Green

12/01/2016
PreS-Gr 1—DiPucchio and Robinson follow up Gaston, their book about a French bulldog in a family of poodles, with a tale about his pal Antoinette, the lone poodle in a litter of French bulldogs. Antoinette's siblings all have special talents, but she's not sure what makes her stand out. All that changes, however, the day that Antoinette's and Gaston's families meet up and Gaston's sister Ooh-La-La goes missing. Stalwart Antoinette refuses to give up in the face of adversity and soon proves herself. Expressive and energetic, Robinson's acrylic illustrations are full of details that establish the Parisian setting, from the Eiffel Tower in the background to the beret on a painter in the park, and the climactic moment takes place in the Louvre, on the famed Winged Victory of Samothrace statue. The images have a flat, almost childlike feeling, with the artist using simple shapes to portray characters and objects and convey a sense of whimsy that matches the text. The focus is the dogs, but many ethnically diverse people appear in the background. While this is a straightforward story, with the familiar message that sometimes it takes time to discover one's raison d'être, DiPucchio brings a lighthearted, arch quality to her narration, breaking the fourth wall here and there ("Busy aren't they? And ridiculously cute, but please don't tell them that."). Overall, this picture book is bound to have children rapt until the conclusion—and soon begging for another read. VERDICT Sure to be a storytime hit, especially where Gaston is popular.—Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal

School Library Journal

★ 2016-12-06
The beloved puppies of Gaston (2014) are back, this time with Antoinette's story of self-discovery as she reveals that every dog has a gift to share. Mrs. Bulldog knows each of her pups is special. It's easy to see the talents of Rocky, Ricky, and Bruno. But Antoinette? Well, Mrs. Bulldog reassures her daughter there's something exceptional about her. Unsure, Antoinette plays with her siblings and the Poodle family until one day a pooch goes missing! When her brothers can't find the errant dog, Antoinette determinedly takes up the cause and ultimately saves the day. Once again, DiPucchio and Robinson don't miss a comedic beat, creating a playful and funny tale full of warmth that deftly explores complex themes of belonging, self-worth, and purpose. Robinson's seemingly simple artwork belies his masterful ability to imbue his characters and the places they live with an authenticity and humanity that move readers beyond the surface of the page. Done in a warm palette, the sophisticated acrylic paintings create a sense of depth through scale and repetition. Spot illustrations in the rescue scene act like slow-motion film frames to great effect, and readers will adore the motley paw patrol running before the Louvre and its iconic glass pyramid. A reassuring tale that celebrates the uniqueness of each dog (or person) and the creation of a purposeful life. Three cheers for the winning Antoinette, who "could not—would not—give up!" (Picture book. 2-7)

Kirkus Reviews