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.
Gilbert forgets to do his homework over the weekend because he is busy playing in the snow and getting ready for Christmas, but then he comes up with a solution at the last minute.
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 and his first-grade classmates are nervous about their performance on the last day of school, curious about the awards they will receive, sad to be leaving their teacher, and excited about summer vacation.
On April Fools' Day, Gilbert is unhappy that everyone is tricking him and he is unable to get them back, but then he thinks of a great way to fool his best friend. Includes tricks hidden in the illustrations for the reader to find.
