by Moe Zilla

Created on: August 14, 2010

She'd illustrated "The Great Brain is Back," the last book in the popular series by John Dennis Fitzgerald (about his brother Tom), published seven years after his death. But eight years later, in 2003, Diane deGroat wrote and illustrated her own book. It's an interesting connection, because "Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire" has the same ingredients. It's a funny story, but it also shows a genuinely warm relationship between the story's different characters.

In this story, the main character is a young porcupine named Gilbert. But his dilemma is very believable: Gilbert's worried that he'll get nervous and make a mistake in a classroom skit about George Washington. He's stuck working with Margaret - a little bear cub who's too bossy, and Philip, a duck who's a big know-it-all. In fact, Gilbert's hoping to be cast as the cherry tree, so he won't have to remember any lines. But instead, he's cast as George Washington - the biggest part of all!

I liked how this story include lots of endearing details about Gilbert's experience as he prepares for the play. (Their teacher had written the names of the characters on slips of paper, and made the children pick one at random.) But soon Gilbert's taking his part very seriously, prefacing everything he says to his fellow students with George Washington's most famous line. For example, when Patty the porcupine asks him what kind of sandwich he's eating, Gilbert replies, "I cannot tell a lie..."

"It is peanut butter and jelly."

I just found this to be a surprisingly touching story, since Gilbert wanted to do a good job - but unfortunately, gets tripped up by all the impulsiveness of an enthusiastic little boy. He takes home his tri-cornered hat, still nervous about making a mistake. And the next day, when the hat isn't in his backpack, he assumes that it's been stolen. Meanwhile, bossy Margaret confronts him about the fact that the prop isn't in its place in the schoolroom, and Gilbert impulsively blurts out, "I didn't take it." This leads Margaret to accuse Gilbert's arch rival - the know-it-all duck, Philip. And soon Gilbert is joining in the accusations, chanting "Liar, liar, pants on fire."

Eventually everyone learns the truth. Gilbert had taken home his hat, even though he wasn't supposed to. Gilbert had lied by accusing Philip of taking it, and Gilbert had been very unfair to the duck. Humbled, he admits his error, and offers the part to Philip, since he hadn't told the truth. I found the ending genuinely touching. "It's okay, Gilbert," the duck replies. "You said you were sorry."

"Just like Washington..."

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