Children's books and book reviews - reading resource for kids, teachers, librarians, parents





*Duck & Goose* by Tad Hills

 
Also written and/or illustrated by Tad Hills:

Duck and Goose: Let's Dance!

Duck and Goose: Colors!

Duck and Goose Go to the Beach

Duck and Goose: Goose Needs a Hug

Rocket Writes a Story

Duck and Goose Find a Pumpkin (oversized board book)

How Rocket Learned to Read

Duck and Goose: It's Time for Christmas!

Duck and Goose Find a Pumpkin

Duck and Goose, How Are You Feeling?

Waking Up Wendell

Duck, Duck, Goose

What's Up, Duck? (A Book of Opposites)

 
Duck & Goose
by Tad Hills
ages 4-8 40 pages Schwartz & Wade January 2006 Hardcover    

Two little waterfowl learn to set aside their differences of opinion and work together in what has to be one of the most amusing picture books so far this year. Duck and Goose come upon the mysterious spotted orb simultaneously and both try to claim possession of what they decide is an egg - "I saw it first," says Duck. Goose plants a wide black foot on it and replies, "I touched it first."

After some heated discussions about how to care for the "egg" and how to raise the baby bird that must certainly hatch from it, they each stake out a space atop the sphere. While they wait for the blessed event to occur, they sniff flowers, share breadcrumbs, watch the sunset, and count the stars.

Then a curious little blue bird alights near Duck and Goose to admire their ball.

Duck and Goose are momentarily abashed and make fairly feeble attempts at saving face. "You know, I did have my doubts," says Duck. "I was somewhat suspicious of those big dots," Goose admits. But they agree that whatever it is, it is a nice one, and they run off to play with it - together.

Adults will have almost as much fun with Duck and Goose as the children to whom they read. The puffed-up posturing and pretended knowledge flying about as the two bright cartoon birds banter over something they both want but know little about are a blast. Their physical tussles too are, at least at one point, simply hilarious. Channeling Manet with its oil background of a soft green swath in a wide-open park, this is a delightful tale about blossoming friendship.
   


click here to browse children's board book reviews
click here to browse children's picture book reviews
click here to browse young readers book reviews
click here to browse young readers book reviews
click here to browse young adult book reviews
click here to browse parenting book reviews
 
web reviews
  Sharon Schulz-Elsing/2006 for curled up with a good kid's book  






For grown-up fiction, nonfiction and speculative fiction book reviews,
visit our sister site Curled Up With a Good Book (www.curledup.com)