Gossie: A Gosling on the Go! (Gossie & Friends)

My grandson loves these Olivier Dunrea books so I had to get a set for my new granddaughter too. There's not much reading per page which is great with little ones who like to help turn the pages and these gooslings are so cute, who could resist!

this book makes a wonderful present. i used it as a gift for a baby shower ( but of coarse i had to read it first). i made a crochet ugly duckling that somewhat matched the illustrations which are similar to the cover and fit in well with the text, and my present was one of the best parts of the party.

This book is very small as are the illustrations. And while Gossie is cute, I personally don't like the way the author is trying to teach sharing. Here, Gossie can't find her boots. She finally finds them on her friend, who is wearing them. So, in order to share, they each end up wearing one boot. Again, I love the concept of teaching children to share, but call me silly, the last thing I want my child to think is that wearing only one boot is alright.

The art work is simple, yet gorgeous. The story is sweet and has beautiful rhythm and meter.

I have come to the conclusion that this story is based on a little girl who loved her bright red boots and came home one day from school to find her little sister wearing them. I suspect that there was a freak out, and a loving parent helped her through the crisis and into learning to share. The message is that we can increase the joy from our prized possessions by sharing the use of them with those we love. It is a great message for young and old alike.