DiPucchio, Kelly.
GASTON
New York : Antheneum Books for Young Readers, 2014
IL K-3, RL 2.8
ISBN 1442451025

(2 booktalks)

Booktalk #1

Gaston by Kelly DiPucchio, is the story of four puppies: Fi-Fi, Foo-Foo, Ooh-La-La, and Gaston.   Three of these puppies are French poodles and no bigger than teacups but Gaston, who is actually a French bulldog, is the size of a teapot!   As you get to know Gaston, you’ll want to give him credit for trying to be such a proper pooch just like his sisters.  One day, Gaston’s family meets a bulldog family in the park with roundish faces and three brothers named Rocky, Ricky, Bruno, and their dainty poodle sister named, Antoinette.  Gaston and Antoinette quickly realize there must have been a mix-up between the families and decide to switch places.  The new families look right…but they just don’t feel right.  You’ll have to read this book to find out where these two adorable dogs find their rightful place and happiness.
(Booktalk by Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Committee)

Booktalk #2

Have you ever felt a little bit different than the rest of your family? Well, Gaston, a bulldog puppy raised by Mrs. Poodle never thought he was different from his poodle siblings. He has a great time playing with his family, looks pretty in pink, and can even walk with grace. But all that changes when Mrs. Poodle takes her children to the park. There they meet Mrs. Bulldog and her puppies, which includes a poodle named Antoinette. The dog families realize a mistake has been made. Will they make things right by switching, or will they be making a bigger mistake? Read Gaston by Kelly DiPucchio to find out. (Prepared by: Deborah Wolfe, Bryson Elementary School, dwolfe@greenville.k12.sc.us , South Carolina Picture Book Award, 2017)