Goose and Duck (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: Goose and Duck Jeannette Hulick George, Jean Craighead Goose and Duck; illus. by Priscilla Lamont. Geringer/HarperCollins, 2008 [48p] (I Can Read Books) Library ed. ISBN 978-0-06-117077-5$17.89 Trade ed. ISBN 978-0-06-117076-8$16.99 Reviewed from galleys R Gr. 1-3 When a little boy is the only being present at the sudden hatching of an egg, the newborn gosling thinks he is its mother and copies his every action, with the boy matter-of-factly declaring, "That's how it is with birds." The cycle is repeated when the pair finds a duck egg that hatches as they watch, except that this time Goose becomes the "mother," as he is the first creature the duckling spies. The follow-the-leader life of boy, goose, and duck continues until the night that house-dwellers Goose and Duck head outside and, mistaking a policeman on patrol for their boy, flap their way into the police car. Luckily, the boy is able to retrieve his "children" from the police station the next day, and all is well until autumn arrives and Goose and Duck realize who (and what) they really are and head south. The boy takes it all in stride, however, accepting that his feathered friends were bound to grow up and fly away because "that's how it is with birds." George's simple language and short, solid sentences will aid young readers, and the birds' mimicking of the boy's behavior adds a humorous touch to the situation as well as some helpful repetition. The police interlude is a little superfluous, but young readers will undoubtedly get a giggle from the next-door neighbor's inaccurate assertion that "Goose and Duck were arrested!" Lamont's warm and gentle watercolor illustrations match the calm flow of the text, and her dot-eyed, tousle-haired boy and lively, inquisitive birds are cozily appealing. Youngsters, especially nature-lovers, looking for a quick, pleasant read will find what they need here, while their adults may get a bit choked up at the reminder that all too soon their own young will leave the nest. Copyright © 2008 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois