Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Gooseberry Goose
Illustrator: Vanessa Cabban
Picture Book
For ages 4 to 6
Tiger Tales, 2005 ISBN: 978-1589253926
Gooseberry Goose is practicing his flying. His landings may be a bit bumpy but his aerial acrobatics are certainly worth being proud of. As the autumn leaves fly about him he swoops and skims over the countryside. Gooseberry wants to share his new found skills with his friends but they all seem to be in a big hurry and are too busy to watch him. Beaver, Mouse, Squirrel, and Hare are all glad that Gooseberry is doing so well, and they all are sorry not to be able to stay and watch but they are on important business. As they explain to Gooseberry, "winter is coming" and they all have a lot to do to get ready for the season.
Gooseberry cannot help wondering if perhaps he too should be getting ready for winter. Should he be gathering nuts and berries? Should he too be making preparations? The problem is that Gooseberry has no idea what kind of preparations he should be making. Thankfully his parents do and Gooseberry finds out that he has been getting ready for winter all day long.
This funny likeable goose is appealing and charming. His joy at his ever improving flying skills is beautifully conveyed to the reader through the text and the fresh ebullient illustrations. Children will enjoy seeing how each of the animals gets ready for winter in his or her own way and many young readers will be pleased when they discover that they know what Gooseberry’s winter plans will be before the goose himself does.
