Gideon

Publishers Weekly

Gideon, “a small, ruddy gosling who likes to play,” joins Gossie and the other goslings on Dunrea’s farm. Always on the move, Gideon chases a piglet, plays “tag-the-mole,” leaps over a frog, and listens to bees buzzing in their hive—always with his octopus toy in tow. No naps for Gideon, no matter what mother goose says, but a day of barnyard shenanigans has a way of tiring out a gosling. Dunrea’s charming world of tiny adventures should continue to enchant toddlers. Available simultaneously: Gideon & Otto. Up to age 3. (Feb.)

From the Publisher

"As with the earlier books, preschoolers and their caretakers will be amused by these oh-so-familiar battles."—Horn Book

Children's Literature - Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz

Gideon, a small gosling, likes to play all day. He plays chase-the-piglet at the piggery and find-the-eggs in the henhouse. Each time his mother tells him it is nap time Gideon still wants to play, tag with the mole, chasing butterflies, splashing in the pond, listening to the bees in the hive. The last time his mother calls, Gideon does not answer. He is fast asleep. "Shhh." This hand-size book illustrated in simple pen and ink outline and gouache is sure to generate smiles in both mothers and reluctant nappers. Gideon's mother is patient and smoothly modeled. Page by page we watch our gosling and his stuffed toy go about his activities accompanied by friends. No scenery is needed; only a few props are at hand to add to the action. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz

Kirkus Reviews

A new gosling joins Dunrea's Gossie & Friends. Gideon is a ruddy little goose who likes to play. All day. With boundless energy, he dashes, hops, scoots and scurries across the farmyard in search of adventure. In the piggery he plays chase-the-piglet. In the sheep house he bounces on the ewe. In a rare moment of stillness, he plays quietly with the turtle, gently looking, never moving. But Gideon can't play all day. Mama Goose keeps interrupting his fun by calling for naptime. Gideon's response is familiar to caregivers far and wide: "No nap! I'm playing!" A defiant naptime battle to be sure, but tiny Gideon also embodies a toddler's insatiable curiosity. Why should he sleep when there's so much to do and see? Familiar clean, white backdrops frame each scene, and Gideon's wide-mouthed exuberance echoes his feathered friends from previous works. Gideon doesn't show many signs of tiring, but the lumpy, striped octopus that he drags everywhere looks more bedraggled with each romp. Young readers will relate to Gideon's assertion of control; adult readers will smile knowingly when he finally starts to snooze. Dunrea has proven himself a master of child behavior (and waterfowl)--let's hope the gaggle keeps growing. (Picture book. 2-5)