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Duck is pretty sure he will like the beach. He equates it with new friends and adventure. Goose agrees to go with his friend, but Goose is pretty sure the meadow is better. The meadow is familiar and it’s safe.
It’s not surprising Goose complains on the trip, “I will walk, but I will not hike,” or that Duck’s tail twitches with excitement when he sees the beach for the first time from afar. What’s unpredictable is their reaction when they walk onto the shore.
Duck feels tiny seeing SO MUCH water, and he doesn’t like the feel of hot sand on his feet. Goose is in love, though. He wants to go swimming immediately and thinks the views are magnificent.
But like all trips, there are good and bad memories. They encounter a cranky crab and a talkative seagull. They build a drip castle and discover the magic of seashells. When Duck and Goose arrive back at the meadow by nightfall, they fall asleep easily, having agreed it’s nice to be home.
Hills’ oil paint illustrations are summery. In the meadow, the friends wear sunhats and sit with the butterflies. As the friends explore different areas of the beach, readers will see close-ups of the crashing waves, the tidal pools, and the shoreline.
Many double-page spreads evoke the senses, especially if one has been to the beach before. While reading this book, children will recall the sounds of the crashing waves, the feel of slippery seaweed, and the smell of the salty air, and they will be ready to go on an adventure, too.
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Duck and Goose Go to the Beach