Although this book is 81 pages long and has 3 “chapters” plus a short postscript, it is not a children’s novel as I was expecting, but an advanced picture book, at least in my opinion. It is quite advanced because the vocabulary/language used is sophisticated and definitely more advanced than in most picture books, though because the illustrations tell so much of the story, even the youngest children will understand it.I love the story of this friendship between two very different girls. In ever...

I LOVED this! My one complaint would be that it is TOO short! Instead of three chapters about Bink and Gollie, I would love to read thirty chapters! While reading this, I made a list of things I love about this book:* I love BOTH Bink and Gollie.* LOVE Bink's hair!* LOVE their "compromise bonanza!" This is something all friends need to learn about.* LOVE the use of color AND gray-scale. Any important focal point is in color. Bink and Gollie are ALWAYS in color.* Gollie used Bink's sock as her fl...

I eye Bink and Gollie across the room with a slow reptilian stare. I yell at it, “I refuse to be charmed by you!” I throw a shoe. Bink and Gollie, to its credit, does not allow itself to be sucked into my childish behavior. I edge a little closer. I cry, “I know your pictures are amazing and your writing manages to be loquacious without being precious but I am not fooled!” I throw my other shoe, which unfortunately means that I am now out of shoes. Bink and Gollie is now looking at me with a mix...

I was searching my library's e-book selections for more books by Kate DiCamillo because I've found her to be a reliably good author when I want a children's book that's written well and isn't condescending. I'd never even heard of the Bink & Gollie books before, but the library had #1 and #3 (typical), so I picked up the first one to give it a try. As soon as I was done, I downloaded the third book as well.This is a super-cute depiction of friendship. The pictures themselves are adorable (I love...

Enjoyable little episodes in a close friendship all tied together with a bright rainbow sock.

Oh please, oh please, oh please let this be the first in a series. A long series. I am in love with Bink and Gollie. (And I'll just admit right off the bat that as much as I would love to be Bink, I am entirely Gollie. And my husband is so Bink in boy form.)There is so much to love about this new book. A fun friendship between two polar-opposite-type girls. Clever dialogue. Brilliant Tony Fucile illustrations. (He is officially on my list of possible illustrators for the children's book I will n...

Elizabeth Bird wrote a very thoughtful and considered review. I just loved it. Love Fucile's illustrations which add tremendously to the text. Love the good friends who aren't the same, but can compromise. Just so cute.We went to see DiCamillo at the Regulator bookstore yesterday. If you get a chance to see her, go! She reads with verve and great humor, she's funny and charming with the kids who ask questions, and is, in every way delightful.So, while waiting in the substantial and enthusiastic

I read this as soon as it came out in 2010. Several of my most trusty kid-lit sources were likening it to the very best early-reader pals ––Frog & Toad, George & Martha, and Elephant & Piggie–– and it's co-authored by Kate DiCamillo, so it was bound to be good.Bink & Gollie lives up to the hype, and then some. It’s a strange little book, especially amongst other same-same-same early readers. The reading level isn’t assigned a number on the front cover, because the reading level isn't clear (I th...

I must say, these were three rather strange stories. The characters are very appealing, but I wasn't immediately sure if Bink was a boy or a girl. And do they both live alone? Not a sign of families anywhere. Very odd. Though this book was a 2011 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award honor book for beginning readers, I found some of the vocabulary to be way too advanced for someone in first, second, or even third grade: outrageous, compromise, bonanza, marvelous, companion, unremarkable, extraordinary, acc...

Two friends with very different personalities must reach an accommodation with one another in the three stories found in this entertaining beginning chapter-book from co-authors Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee. Extroverted Bink goes right for the colorful socks in the first selection, while more reserved Gollie is horrified by her choice. Both must learn to compromise, after Gollie attempts to use their pancake breakfast as a means of separating Bink from her new footwear. In the second selecti...

I absolutely fell in love with Bink and Gollie. It may have something to do with the fact that they remind me of my two oldest daughters. Bink and Gollie are two friends that appear to have nothing in common, yet somehow, they have a wonderful friendship. In this book, there are three short stories about the two friends, and how they get along even though they're so different. They complement each other perfectly and find a way to meet halfway most of the time. The illustrations are wonderful. T...

This book was delightful. I loved the rambunctious characters and their hilarious friendship. I quite enjoyed the clever illustrations and how they depicted the world of Bink and Gollie. The different nuances of color with the grey scale was refreshingly simplistic and pleasant. I liked the adventures that these two friends went on and I liked seeing the story unfold. I would definitely recommend this book.*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2010...

This book lifted my spirits and helped me smile today. These two friends are very different with big vocabularies. They learn the art of compromise. I love how the pictures are as much a part of the story as the words and how they meld together to tell this special friendship. Also, it looks like such an amazing treehouse they have.They deal with personal space and time, compromise of friends and goldfish and it all swirls into a wonderful whole. What we need now is a Bink & Gollie nation.This b...

I loved this book! It is completely charming and remarkable in how clearly it is able to convey both the joys and frustrations of close friendship. I was actually surprised how short/quick-to-read this book is since it looks like a longer picture book/early chapter book but it took me no more than ten minutes to get through. The words are chosen sparingly and sublimely and it's brilliant how well they, coupled with the absolutely marvelous illustrations, convey the tone and characters' thoughts

Ah! I loved this book! It is cute, quirky, and fun. I have been putting off reading it to my library classes because it appeared too long for my 15-minute storytime. I was wrong. It took a little longer, but it was well worth it! This is a deceptively simple tale about two friends which accurately captures the relationship between two girls. One of the best things about this book is that the relationship stands completely alone. The first time I read it, I thought the girls were sisters. At one

Cute story for kids that proves friends don't always have to agree on everything. One thing Bink and Gollie will never need to argue about is whether to have peanut butter sandwiches or pancakes:Peanut Butter Pancakes_______________________- serves 121 cup flour2 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder1⁄2 teaspoon salt1⁄2 cup creamy peanut butter2 tablespoons sugar2 tablespoons vegetable oil1 large egg1 cup milk2 tablespoons milk_________________________- directions:In large bowl mix together flour, baking

Very cute books, a hybrid between easy reader, chapter book, and graphic novel. The combination makes them ideal for reluctant readers, particularly kids who CAN read pretty well but don't think they like to. The vocabulary is rather sophisticated compared to typical easy readers, but lots of illustrations and just a little text on each page makes the books manageable for kids who are reluctant to read. The story features three episodic chapters and reminded me very much of the Frog & Toad books...

I know I'm supposed to be charmed by this as others have been. But I'm not.Then again, I HATED The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread. I am indifferent to The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane and I wouldn't care if "Mercy Watson" was turned into bacon, sausage and porkchops. In fact, I might like her better.How is it that an author that can write something as moving, as wonderful as damn good as Because of Winn-Dixie then decides she's

I love all things Kate DiCamillo. Bink and Gollie have a special relationship. The illustrations in this series also add to its charm. A fun read for 1st grade and up about the value of a good friend and how to keep them.