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Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Little Goose's Autumn, written by Elli Woollard and illustrated by Briony May Smith. Macmillan Children's Books, Publishers Group Canada. 2020. $12.95 ages 4 and up

 

"Oh, dear!" thought the goose. "I do everything wrong! 
How should I be? Can I ever belong?
And waddling away, she went off to hide, 
Felling ever so tiny and silly inside.
"

This story of a young goose, confused by the sense of unease she is feeling as summer gives way to autumn, spends her time trying to figure out what she is missing. As she moves from one familiar place to the next, she knows there is something, but she does not know what it is. 

She turns to her forest friends for help with her dilemma. First, the beaver family tells her they are busy making a warm home for the coming weather. Well, that seems a good idea, so Little Goose decides to fell a tree. How? She moves on to have a discussion with the squirrel family as they gather and store food.  It is not easy for a goose to dig a hole! The bear is not helpful, leaving the goose to wallow in the misery of not knowing what she is meant to do. 

Only then does she look up and see what is happening in the sky above her head. Suddenly, and happily, she knows exactly what she must do. 

 "Feeling free as the skittering breath on the breeze
She soared over mountains and rivers and trees.
Always pursuing the voice of the throng 
Who called "Little Goose! Join the flock! Come along!
"

As she soars high above them, shen notes that her friends are settled in, their winter preparations complete. The story told has charm, and the accompanying beauty of the autumnal landscape provides much for readers to contemplate. Now, you can check for Little Bear's Spring (2019).  It's a perfect companion. 

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