Beginning Reader Book Review: Arthur's Great Big Valentine

Arthur's Great Big Valentine
Written and illustrated by:  Lillian Hoban
Published by: HarperCollins, 1989

* Although Lillian Hoban's Arthur series has been around for awhile this was the first Arthur book that my son and I read together.  It's a Level 2 (Grades 1-3) in the I Can Read Book series.  While he had no real difficulty reading this book it was a bit lengthier than most books we have read together.  There are no chapters so we ended up breaking this up into two days of reading, taking turns reading. 

It's Valentine's Day and Arthur is getting ready to go out ot play in the snow while his sister, Violet, is making valentines.  When asked why he's not making any valentines, Arthur tells his sister that he has no friends because he got in a fight with his best friend Norman.  While playing a stick accidentally ripped Norman's jacket.  Norman got mad and made a secret club with their other friends, and Arthur wasn't included.  Their friend Wilma comes with invitations to her Valentine's party.  But when Arthur discovers that Norman will be there he doesn't want to go.  Eventually, Arthur discovers that Norman is bringing him a secret valentine, so he makes a valentine for Norman.  The two have missed each other and want to be friends again. 

This was a sweet Valentine's Day story about friendship that is appropriate for the beginning reader.  My son and I enjoyed this and will continue to read some of the other Arthur books in the series. 

This book was borrowed from the library.

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