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Story Time with Sara: Duck & Goose by Tad Hills
Duck & Goose
written by Tad Hills
published by Schwartz & Wade, 2006
find it here: (affiliate links) Barnes & Noble, Amazon, iBooks, Book Depository, Goodreads
Did I enjoy this book: Everyone in this household loved this book! Duck and Goose are both characters that young children can relate to while having fun at the same time! The beginning of the story reminds me of the meme I saw about “Toddler’s Rules of Possession” — both Duck and Goose lay claim to the “egg:” one because he saw it first and the other because he touched it first. The rest of this very cute story unfolds as Duck and Goose fight over the egg and how each of them will raise the baby bird inside in their own way, alone. Spending time together guarding the “egg,” the two dissimilar birds start to unconsciously realize that they have more in common than they thought and start (without meaning to) talking about how they will raise their baby together and teach him things that all birds do.
I LOVE this for so many reasons. First of all, it is so easy for adults (not to mention children) to get caught up in today’s possessive world. We want more things, more expensive things, ALL THE THINGS! Children of all ages (1-100) can recognize the way that Duck and Goose feel when they each believe that this “egg” is theirs. Each bird plots and schemes to keep the “egg” safe from the other just like I see my 3-year-old plot and scheme to keep his toys “safe” from his baby brother. This was a great way to engage young minds with a scenario that they can immediately identify with before handing them the AWESOME moral message.
So, what wonderful message did Duck and Goose learn? With what has been on the news recently with riots and and interracial violence, I can’t think of a better message for a children’s story than this: Despite what we look like, we are all more alike than we think.
Both birds want to raise the baby to be the best bird that it can be, which is what is most important. I want my children to love, appreciate, and understand people no matter what they look like or what background they come from. I want them to realize that we are all the same underneath, and we all want the best for our children and families.
So obviously, I really enjoyed the messages that Duck & Goose instilled in my child, but what did I love more? The fact that my child begged me to read him this book again and again. He LOVED it! I’m not sure if it was the cute and colorful illustrations, the spunky dialogue, or the twist at the end, but my little literary critic could NOT get enough of this story! We read it again and again, and that didn’t bother me at all!
Would I recommend it: OMG, yes! Go get it from your library–just don’t take it from from ours because we will very likely be checking it out again on our next visit!
About the book – from Goodreads: Here is the first book in the popular Duck & Goose line of picture books and board books. This New York Times Bestseller and ALA-ALSC Notable Children’s Book stars two unforgettable characters and is filled with humor that young children will appreciate—and recognize!
Duck and Goose have to work at getting along. You see, Duck doesn’t much care for Goose at first, and Goose isn’t fond of Duck. But both want the egg that each claims to be his. As the two tend to their egg, and make plans for the future, they come to appreciate one another’s strengths. And when a bluebird points out that it isn’t really an egg—it’s a polka dot ball—the two are not dismayed. After all, it is a lovely ball. . . .
“Duck and Goose have taken their places alongside Frog and Toad and George and Martha as fine examples of friendship, curiosity and problem-solving.” —Kirkus Reviews
2 Comments
by sherri ashburner
This was one of my favorite books to handsell and give as gifts! Thanks for the memory, now that my youngest is in high school..sniff sniff…I haven’t read the slew of other titles by him though, have you? Too many sequels, I guess? If that’s what you’d call them…
by Sara
Sherri, We haven’t actually read any of the sequels yet. It was merely chance that we picked this one up in the first place. I do want to look for the other books though. I tend to be a bit hesitant about holiday themed books but the others in the series look interesting. When I get around to finding them I will make sure that I write up a review! Glad you enjoyed the review and it warms my heart to know that other families have fond memories of this fun story too!