Ollie's Halloween

Publishers Weekly

Simple, declarative phrases describe Ollie and his fellow goslings' Halloween activities on the farm. The sky darkens, filling with twirling leaves, as the goslings creep and poke around, "hooting like owls. Howling like wolves." As with the previous titles starring this gosling crew, Dunrea's ink and watercolor images beget an understandable and cozy world, this time with just a hint of spookiness and autumnal gloom. A foldout poster is included. Ages 3–7. (Sept.)

From the Publisher

Praise for Gossie&Friends books:

Ollie's Halloween   "This low-key story is a great addition to the Gossie and friends books and will work well in storytime."—School Library Journal, starred review
Gossie and Gossie&Gertie   "Gossie and Gertie's boots are made for walking; the books they so delightfully traverse are made for treasuring." —The Horn Book, starred review   "Two books that are sure to become favorites because they tap into quintessential preschool experience....Young children will ask for these stories again and again." —School Library Journal, starred review   "Adding ample wry humor to both his spare ink-and-watercolor pictures and minimalist text, Dunrea imbues both goslings with distinctive, endearing personalities and chronicles experiences every preschooler can recognize." —Publishers Weekly, starred review   "The potent combination of toddler-appealing story lines and the charismatic charm of the illustrations assure that these smartly clad geese will be marching straight into the hearts of readers." —Kirkus Reviews   Ollie   "With their simple watercolors and narrative, along with diminutive heroes who assert a budding independence, these tales demonstrate once again how well their creator knows his audience." —Publishers Weekly, starred review   "Preschoolers will relate to Ollie's point of view and delight in his humorous reactions to the new world he's discovering." —Booklist   "Art and text are spare but expressive, and Dunrea's understanding of toddler life...is remarkably keen." —The Horn Book   Peedie   "Dunrea's feathered characters have the look and feel of preschoolers rapt in their own discovery of the world." —School Library Journal   "Peedie is a very appealing little gosling and the story and repetitive text will delight young listeners." —Children's Literature   Merry Christmas, Ollie!

"...the focus on Ollie's childlike anticipation is right on target. Dunrea's graceful ink drawings and beautiful washes offer an appealing alternative to more complex, but less satisfying Christmas picture books" —Booklist

"Remaining true to his uncomplicated watercolor style, Dunrea maintains an element of charm to Ollie's waiting, depicting his impatience as sweet and subdued, rather than manic and obsessed. Parents and children will immediately relate to this youngster's excitement." —School Library Journal

Gossie & Friends: A First Flap Book

"A wonderful addition to Gossie collections." —Kirkus Reviews

2006 Nick Jr. Family Magazine Best Books of the Year

Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot

Gossie and Gertie, who have appeared in several books, are celebrating Halloween with three other friends—Peedie, BooBoo, and Ollie. They are all dressed up for Halloween. Ollie is a mummy, BooBoo is a bunny, and Peedie is a dragon. Off they head on an evening when a strong wind seems to be blowing the leaves around, but the intrepid goslings do not seem to care. They have fun hooting like an owl, scaring frogs, poking around the pumpkins, and stalking in the cornfield. Somehow they discover treats in the haystacks and among the cornstalks. As they head for the barn there is a ghost dangling from the open doorway, leaves flying everywhere, jack-o-lanterns with various expressions, and a group of bats flying around. It is a scary night, but these goslings are having fun. They bob for apples and feast on treats, but somehow Ollie has managed to get separated from the others. Never fear, the goslings all end up together nice and cozy in the barn enjoying treats. It is a simple story that mainly shows some Halloween activities. Early on the illustrations are equally simple, just depicting one of the characters set on a white page. As the story progresses, the images become larger and more complex. At the back of the book there is a delightful Halloween poster. A potential gift purchase for the holiday. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1—Ollie and his siblings are back for some Halloween fun. Outfitted in adorable costumes—wizard, chicken, dragon, bunny, and mummy—they traipse around the farm looking for adventure and candy. They prowl, hoot, howl, creep, and gobble treats. They race for the barn as a storm blows in and, in the end, remember that Halloween is a perfect night for sharing. This tale follows the style of Dunrea's other gosling books with simple but amusing text at the bottom of every page and clear, entertaining, and detailed illustrations above. The book concludes with a perforated fold-out poster that tears out easily. This low-key story is a great addition to the Gossie and friends books and will work well in storytime.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH