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SILLY LITTLE GOOSE!

Here's a likable tale about a wayward goose on a quest to find a home. Goose sets out on a blustery day to establish a nest, searching for something warm and soft, quiet and cozy. However, each time the hapless fowl settles on a place, she discovers it's already occupied. A warm shed reveals a bevy of squealing pigs while a nicely cushioned box is beset by a jumble of kittens and their mama. Thus it continues, as she wanders about the farmyard, encountering everything from sheep to chickens. Ultimately, the farmer's windblown hat becomes her habitat of choice, where she quickly lays some eggs. Tafuri (Will You Be My Friend?, 2000, etc.) captures a child's sense of awe at the wondrous nature of everyday events. Her simple tale provides a gentle moral about the rewards of perseverance in the face of challenges. A liberal sprinkling of silliness makes this ideal for group read-aloud sessions; the oft-repeated refrain "Silly Little Goose!" blatantly encourages reader's exuberant participation. Clearly drawn and softly hued, the full-color illustrations are perfect for young children, who can easily recognize the familiar barnyard animals beginning on the verso and dedication pages, which are a full-bleed, labeled overview of the farm. The pictures on the two pages for each search don't fill the space, but when she's turned out, they expand to the edges to accent the drama of her mistake. The humorous inclusion of the farmer's tumbling hat glimpsed in the background of many of the illustrations provides junior sleuths with a clue to Goose's eventual home. This little goose has plenty of pluck, even though she is a bit silly. (Picture book. 2-6)

Pub Date: April 1, 2001

ISBN: 0-439-06304-3

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Scholastic

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2001

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LITTLE BLUE TRUCK'S HALLOWEEN

Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes.

A lift-the-flap book gives the littlest trick-or-treaters some practice identifying partygoers under their costumes.

Little Blue Truck and his buddy Toad are off to a party, and they invite readers (and a black cat) along for the ride: “ ‘Beep! Beep! Beep!’ / says Little Blue. / ‘It’s Halloween!’ / You come, too.” As they drive, they are surprised (and joined) by many of their friends in costume. “Who’s that in a tutu / striking a pose / up on the tiniest / tips of her toes? / Under the mask / who do you see?” Lifting the flap unmasks a friend: “ ‘Quack!’ says the duck. / ‘It’s me! It’s me!’ ” The sheep is disguised as a clown, the cow’s a queen, the pig’s a witch, the hen and her chick are pirates, and the horse is a dragon. Not to be left out, Little Blue has a costume, too. The flaps are large and sturdy, and enough of the animals’ characteristic features are visible under and around the costumes that little ones will be able to make successful guesses even on the first reading. Lovely curvy shapes and autumn colors fade to dusky blues as night falls, and children are sure to notice the traditional elements of a Halloween party: apple bobbing, lit jack-o’-lanterns, and punch and treats.

Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes. (Board book. 2-4)

Pub Date: July 5, 2016

ISBN: 978-0-544-77253-3

Page Count: 16

Publisher: HMH Books

Review Posted Online: July 19, 2016

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2016

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THE WILD ROBOT ON THE ISLAND

A hymn to the intrinsic loveliness of the wild and the possibility of sharing it.

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What happens when a robot washes up alone on an island?

“Everything was just right on the island.” Brown beautifully re-creates the first days of Roz, the protagonist of his Wild Robot novels, as she adapts to living in the natural world. A storm-tossed ship, seen in the opening just before the title page, and a packing crate are the only other human-made objects to appear in this close-up look at the robot and her new home. Roz emerges from the crate, and her first thought as she sets off up a grassy hill—”This must be where I belong”—is sweetly glorious, a note of recognition rather than conquest. Roz learns to move, hide, and communicate like the creatures she meets. When she discovers an orphaned egg—and the gosling Brightbill, who eventually hatches—her decision to be his mother seems a natural extension of her adaptation. Once he flies south for the winter, her quiet wait across seasons for his return is a poignant portrayal of separation and change. Brown’s clean, precise lines and deep, light-filled colors offer a sense of what Roz might be seeing, suggesting a place that is alive yet deeply serene and radiant. Though the book stands alone, it adds an immensely appealing dimension to Roz’s world. Round thumbnails offer charming peeks into the island world, depicting Roz’s animal neighbors and Brightbill’s maturation.

A hymn to the intrinsic loveliness of the wild and the possibility of sharing it. (author’s note) (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: June 24, 2025

ISBN: 9780316669467

Page Count: 48

Publisher: Little, Brown

Review Posted Online: March 22, 2025

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2025

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