Duck, Duck, Goose?

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Based on an animated film by the Russian director Vladimir Grigorievich Suteev, this eccentric tale describes a goose who, dissatisfied with her appearance, swaps body parts with other birds. "Peacock is the most beautiful bird in the world because of his tail... I want it!" the covetous goose declares. Sporting a swan's long neck, a pelican's beak, stork legs, a peacock's tail and a rooster's crow, Goose is delighted with her new lookuntil she needs to eat, swim ("Wait-a-doodle-doo," she calls) and escape from a fox. Russian-born Arnold's (Baba Yaga; Katya's Book of Mushrooms, reviewed Mar. 3) characteristically rough and rustic paintings, overlaid with black lines to resemble woodcuts, depict the gangly, strutting Goose with humor and vivacity. The sketchy lines make the geese's feathers look a little scruffy, and unconventional combinations of solid orange, magenta and red add further hearty impact. The grotesque appearance of the misshapen Goose and her attacker, a ferrety-looking fox, makes her return to normalcy a relief to readers as well. A quirky story imbued with the spirit of a folktale. Ages 4-8. (May)

Children's Literature - Kristin Harris

Goose wanted to be different. She was jealous of other kinds of birds, and always in a bad mood. Then one day she saw a swan and thought that if she had the swan's neck, she would be special. Goose and swan exchanged necks, but that was only the beginning. Goose made numerous body part exchanges with other birds. Then Goose was different, but it was not without it's downside. This moral tale helps us all appreciate what we have, and how good friends can come to the rescue. The illustrations are unique and colorful.

School Library Journal

K-Gr 2A pleasing tale about identity and acceptance, based on a story by Vladimir Grigorievich Suteev. Goose envies the other birds and bullies them into giving her their best body parts. She takes Swan's neck, Pelican's beak, Peacock's tail, and more until she believes she is the finest bird of all. It doesn't take long, however, for Goose to realize that her new fanciful combination isn't very practical. Pelican's beak is not appropriate for eating grass, and Stork's legs prohibit swimming in shallow water. Worst of all, Peacock's tail prevents her from flying when Fox comes around. Despite her vanity, the other geese save her. She has learned her lesson and returns all of the mismatched parts. The bold acrylic and watercolor illustrations highlight the absurdity of appearance and the excesses of pride. The presentation certainly has nonsensical elements, but the story's message is a worthwhile and important one for youngsters to hear.Christy Norris, Valley Cottage Library, NY