Diane deGroat

Gilbert's excitement over starting first grade turns to worry that the teacher will be mean, the work too hard, and his classmates too unfriendly, but throughout the day there are pleasant surprises.

Gilbert wants to do something special for his mother on Mother's Day, but first he must stop his sister, Lola, from being the center of attention.

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

"Charlie the basset hound participates in a variety of sports on the ranch"--

"There's nothing that makes Charlie's soul rejoice more than naps and bacon. But when his daily routine of eating and sleeping is interrupted by a new baby calf, Abigail, Charlie is not happy! Things go from bad to worse when Charlie sees everyone rubbing Abigail's belly--instead of his; feeding her--instead of him; and tucking Abigail in at the end of the day--in Charlie's bed. Will Charlie be able to adjust to the new addition?"--Publisher's description....

When Mama and the kids are busy with their lessons, Charlie the Ranch Dog decides to start a class of his own with Suzie, Kitty, and Walter.

Gilbert is excited about the costume he is planning to wear in the Halloween parade at school, until he discovers that lots of others have the same costume.

On Valentine's Day, Gilbert brings a tin of homemade cookies and his original nice or nasty poems to school.

Fifteen different dogs show what they can do, and what they can't do.