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Cul-de-sac Kids #1
The Double Dabble Surprise
Abby Hunter and her little sister, Carly, can't wait to meet their new Korean sisters. They buy "welcome home" presents to take to the airport. But the plane arrives without the Korean girls.Where are they? What could have happened? Abby and her Cul-de-sac friends on Blossom Hill Lane are in for an amazing surprise. Maybe for the surprise of their lives!
80 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1993
About the author
Beverly Lewis
494 books2,867 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Beverly Lewis, raised in Pennsylvania Amish country and both a schoolteacher and an accomplished musician, has been an award-winning author for over a dozen years. Her acclaimed novel, The Preacher's Daughter, was a 2006 Quill Book Award finalist in the romance category. Her books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including USA Today and The New York Times. She and her husband, David, live in Colorado."
Beverly Lewis, raised in Pennsylvania Amish country and both a schoolteacher and an accomplished musician, has been an award-winning author for over a dozen years. Her acclaimed novel, The Preacher's Daughter, was a 2006 Quill Book Award finalist in the romance category. Her books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including USA Today and The New York Times. She and her husband, David, live in Colorado."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
October 11, 2010
What a fun story to read with your child. It is a book written for seven to ten year olds but I have found that even younger then seven liked the story. Any child older then seven would enjoy reading it for themselves.
The story starts with two girls preparing for the arrival of two Korean girls the family is adopting. They busily paint the room pink and dress up some bears in brides clothes. They go to the airport with their parents and are surprised to see two Korean boys waiting. The family takes the boys home but the older sister is very disappointed that the girls did not come. The story goes on to descibe how she begins to warm up to the boys and in the end wants them to stay as her brothers.
There are some cute moments in the story that make you want to jump in the pages and join in the fun. This is a great and easy to understand story about families.
This book is the first in a series called "The Cul-De-Sac Kids." Other titles include, The Chicken Pox Panic, The Crazy Chrismas Angel Mystery and No Grown-ups Allowed.
The story starts with two girls preparing for the arrival of two Korean girls the family is adopting. They busily paint the room pink and dress up some bears in brides clothes. They go to the airport with their parents and are surprised to see two Korean boys waiting. The family takes the boys home but the older sister is very disappointed that the girls did not come. The story goes on to descibe how she begins to warm up to the boys and in the end wants them to stay as her brothers.
There are some cute moments in the story that make you want to jump in the pages and join in the fun. This is a great and easy to understand story about families.
This book is the first in a series called "The Cul-De-Sac Kids." Other titles include, The Chicken Pox Panic, The Crazy Chrismas Angel Mystery and No Grown-ups Allowed.
October 3, 2018
**3.5 STARS**
Honestly, this story is cute, & it explores the feelings of the girls who are adopting new siblings into their family. However, it doesn’t give much thought about the adopted children’s feelings until the end. Also, I wasn’t comfortable with the fact that the adopted children were going to have “American” names without being asked. Other than those issues, I thought it was a nice story, and my seven-year-old loved it.
Honestly, this story is cute, & it explores the feelings of the girls who are adopting new siblings into their family. However, it doesn’t give much thought about the adopted children’s feelings until the end. Also, I wasn’t comfortable with the fact that the adopted children were going to have “American” names without being asked. Other than those issues, I thought it was a nice story, and my seven-year-old loved it.
May 24, 2019
This is a mini ‘Books For Christian Girls’ review. It is not a full content review and will not receive one. These mini-reviews are years old and just for clarity on the rating the book received on Goodreads.
8/22/2016-
“While not accurate to how adoptions happen nowadays, this was a cute read. Written in 1993, I do hope that this would be a story that a parent would be involved in reading with the child, just so the kiddo reading would know and discussions could happen.”
*Main Content-
A bit of sibling bickering; Mentions of a dog being hit by a car (barely-above-not-detailed, the dog ends up being fine).
8/22/2016-
“While not accurate to how adoptions happen nowadays, this was a cute read. Written in 1993, I do hope that this would be a story that a parent would be involved in reading with the child, just so the kiddo reading would know and discussions could happen.”
*Main Content-
A bit of sibling bickering; Mentions of a dog being hit by a car (barely-above-not-detailed, the dog ends up being fine).
November 9, 2018
Was a cute book. I just didn't agree with the way the boys had to have American names, or that they didn't get a say in this decision. Also them only eating rice seemed a bit odd. Overall just found it a little bit culturally insensitive.
July 16, 2016
My daughter and I liked this book.
October 15, 2017
In this book two sisters get two new brothers (they are expecting sisters) to adopt from Korea. This short chapter books focuses on how the girls and their friends take in the two boys, teach them little by little about America, come to accept them and want them as part of their life. It ends up they adopt the boys and are actually happy with it. Since this is book #1, I assume the rest of the series follows the story of this family and even what happens if they adopt the Korean girls too.
I rated this book 4 stars because it was very interesting for a children's chapter book! It had a great hook and was filled with entertainment. It did mention God and their faith a lot, which this author is a faith author. This wouldn't bother me at all, just something to know for the students and community that you are reading it for.
I would use this book for students who are on this level and need a short and easy chapter book! I would also use it for those who have a new adopted sibling and need something to relate to.
I rated this book 4 stars because it was very interesting for a children's chapter book! It had a great hook and was filled with entertainment. It did mention God and their faith a lot, which this author is a faith author. This wouldn't bother me at all, just something to know for the students and community that you are reading it for.
I would use this book for students who are on this level and need a short and easy chapter book! I would also use it for those who have a new adopted sibling and need something to relate to.
October 6, 2017
Abby and Carly Hunter are excited to welcome their new sisters from Korea. They helped decorate the girls’ room and bought a welcome gift for their new sisters. At the airport, the Hunter family discovers that the sisters aren’t on the plane, but two brothers are. The family is disappointed but decide to provide a home for the boys until the situation is cleared up. Abby is especially upset about getting brothers (even for a short time) instead of sisters. She learns that sometimes mix-ups can be blessings. This book is part of The Cul-De-Sac Kids series.
The Double Dabble Surprise is an easy to read chapter book with a message about God’s wonderful surprises.
The Double Dabble Surprise is an easy to read chapter book with a message about God’s wonderful surprises.
March 15, 2008
another read for e.... and quite a surprise. this is not your normal, run of the mill girl's chapter book. its themes are quite adult - american family adopting 2 korean girls (quite a surprise given i hadn't read the back cover), and there were moments i almost cried. for the idea of 2 children with no family, left in an orphanage and then moved to a completely foreign place is really sad.
anyways, all ends well in this little, fast-paced read. its narrated by a girl and her younger sister and seems to have all the "stuff" that makes for a good young girl read.
anyways, all ends well in this little, fast-paced read. its narrated by a girl and her younger sister and seems to have all the "stuff" that makes for a good young girl read.
September 4, 2009
I was very impressed with these books. After reading secular kids books from the local library it was very refreshing to find this series that includes and centers around God. The characters are easy for young children to relate to and both my 4 and 6 year old enjoyed these books. (Both girls.) The center of this book was third grader Abby Hunter who was looking forward to getting 2 new sisters through Korean adoption. When a mistake is made and 2 boys are placed in their home instead, Abby learns to love and accept.
March 25, 2022
I really liked this book! We meet sisters Abby and Carly. They're about to have 2 new sisters that their family is adopting from Korea, however its BOYS that show up. At first the whole family is really upset that its not girls like they thought, but they learn to love the boys pretty quickly and the boys fit right in to the friend group on the cul-de-sac. This is a Christian based series and I thought the amount of God talk was perfect and exactly what I want my kids to read! Can't wait to continue!
May 1, 2018
This is a quick read and it easily kept my 7-year-old's attention. She immediately identified with the characters and loved how they help each other out. She wasn't a fan of how Abby reacted about having two brothers instead of two sisters, but it gave us a good talking point.
February 24, 2021
Great for bedtime stories!
It was clean and fun and cute. Most importantly it had just enough scripture. And I am so excited we found a new sleep routine for my 8 year old daughter. She was having trouble sleeping, so I would read to her until she fell asleep. Perfect!!
It was clean and fun and cute. Most importantly it had just enough scripture. And I am so excited we found a new sleep routine for my 8 year old daughter. She was having trouble sleeping, so I would read to her until she fell asleep. Perfect!!
April 15, 2022
Cute story about two girls who, with their Mom and Dad, are about to adopt two sisters. They buy gifts and get to the airport and are in for a surprise. Abby has to work on her feelings and thoughts throughout the book. It would be a good first chapter book for girls.
September 27, 2008
This is one of Gabe's first chapter book reads, he said 4 stars :)
February 10, 2016
C. children's, early elementary, didactic, series, #1
April 24, 2019
Great books for kids!! I loved the Christian influence and my 6 year old son could relate to the situations while still reading the book himself!! HIGHLY recommend!!
August 15, 2020
I liked that they had a mystery to solve. I also liked that the boys had to learn English.
October 7, 2020
Positive book with lots of outdated verbiage and approach to foster/adoption.
August 18, 2020
The youth friendly book, "The Double Dabble Surprise,"by Beverly Lewis is a delightful story about adoption. The story is filled with the Lord and pray which is inspiring for children. The issues involved are insightful into adoption from another country. I found it a fast read and sure to delight the one ones. I recommend this children's book for the faithful and their children.
September 27, 2017
At is a great story! I have read several in this series, and I really like them. I hope to be able to find all of them at some point. Yes, I’m almost 46, and thee are for kids supposedly, but I can always learn something. I love what these kids learn in the stories in this series.
November 7, 2017
It has probably been 6 or 7 years since I have read these books, so when I saw this one on my sister's bookshelf I decided to reread it. It only took me, like, maybe 15 minutes to read. (Or else, I wouldn't have bothered to finish it! :))
July 9, 2019
It's ok.
It was ok for a regular read. I mean, I LOVE that God is in there! But it should have been longer or a series, but If it is a series then tell me. But over all it was a good book!
It was ok for a regular read. I mean, I LOVE that God is in there! But it should have been longer or a series, but If it is a series then tell me. But over all it was a good book!
February 18, 2019
An amazing little book by a great author!! Would recommend to children of all ages! Can't wait to read the rest of the series!
March 14, 2020
I think Shawn's puppy is adorable at the end!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2020
Sometimes you just have to reread a childhood favorite. Unfortunately it wasn’t as great as I remembered a lot was just unbelievable. But it did bring back the nostalgia I needed.
January 9, 2021
Cute easy chapter book for kids. A good story of thankfulness, adoption, and friendship.
May 30, 2022
This book was fun.
December 14, 2023
Very well done ! I love the way beverly wrote this book, it has a Christian base and is very good for children to learn about alot of things they need to know In life
February 29, 2024
Reading these to and with, my six-year-old daughter, she is really enjoying them. It’s a special time for us together. So far, I am liking the series for her.
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August 31, 2011my name is diana avalos
There is 2 girls named Addy and Carly.There about to meet there korean brothers.Addy and Carly has a secret place where they talk about secret stuff and everytime their mom trys to find Addy and Carly their mom forgets to look in the secret place. When they meet there korean brothers there brothers gets a little bit crazy in there room and Addy and Carly gets a bit weird but in first place. Addy and Carly give there a teddy bear to keep.Then Addy and Carly enter the room and there brothers were dress up with Carly Addy clothes the bears were dress up too.In the middle of the story the family teach the korean brothers about God and how to pray for their food.Carly said to Addy to not tell there korean brothers about the secret place but Addy told one of there brothers about the secret place.Carly wished that Addy would stop askeding so many questions.The brothers names is Choo Koo and the other boys named is Sung jin.Then when they adop the boys they change there nameds and Addy, Carly, Like the nameds.I like this book because it talks about funny stuff and it is fun to read.
There is 2 girls named Addy and Carly.There about to meet there korean brothers.Addy and Carly has a secret place where they talk about secret stuff and everytime their mom trys to find Addy and Carly their mom forgets to look in the secret place. When they meet there korean brothers there brothers gets a little bit crazy in there room and Addy and Carly gets a bit weird but in first place. Addy and Carly give there a teddy bear to keep.Then Addy and Carly enter the room and there brothers were dress up with Carly Addy clothes the bears were dress up too.In the middle of the story the family teach the korean brothers about God and how to pray for their food.Carly said to Addy to not tell there korean brothers about the secret place but Addy told one of there brothers about the secret place.Carly wished that Addy would stop askeding so many questions.The brothers names is Choo Koo and the other boys named is Sung jin.Then when they adop the boys they change there nameds and Addy, Carly, Like the nameds.I like this book because it talks about funny stuff and it is fun to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews