The Goose Egg by Liz Wong
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on January 22nd 2019
ISBN: 0553511572
Pages: 40
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

From the author of Jumpstart's Read for the Record pick

Quackers

comes the story of Henrietta the Elephant, whose life goes from calm to chaotic when a baby goose comes to stay.

Henrietta likes her quiet life. A morning swim, a cup of tea--all is serene.

But everything changes when she bumps her head and winds up with a goose egg--a REAL goose egg. Henrietta tries to return the baby goose to the nest, but her flock has flown. It's up to Henrietta to raise her.

Goose isn't anything like Henrietta. She's flappy, and noisy, and exhausting. But Henrietta raises that goose right. She teaches her to swim, and to honk, and to fly. When Goose flies off with the other geese, Henrietta is so proud!

And then . . . lonely. How quiet her life feels now.

But the love you give has a way of coming back to you. And Henrietta has a wonderful surprise in store. . . .

Henrieta is an elephant who “savored the stillness of the morning as she sipped her Darjeeling.” Sometimes, when swimming underneath the lake in the quiet murmer of the water, Henrietta would become  lost in her her own thoughts.   And sometimes,  Henrietta became  a little too lost.  And then one day,  it  took  a”bonk” on the head to wake Henrietta up.  Henrietta returns  home to collect herself and soon discovers that the “bonk” was a literal,  “real”  goose egg,  which landed smack  on the top of Henrietta’s head.   But there  is no mother goose to care for the gosling,  so Henrietta take the job on herself.  Her silence, that she loves so very much is now shattered, but when the gosling  finally learns to fly away on it’s own, Henrietaa is sad.  The ending is a surprise; however, not totally unexpexpected.

“The Goose Egg” is an  adorable picture book with endearing  watercolor illustrations.  This book can be used when exploring uncommon animal relationships.   “The Goose Egg,” would also  make a delighful read and introduction of the topic  “taking on  responsibilities.”  Why and when might some animals do it . Why and when might people do it.  What information might inform their decisions.   Do animals have feelings?  Are animals “loyal” to one another? Do animals “think” like people or is their behavior instinctive?  Definitely a story to ponder, learn from, and to enjoy!

Reviewed by Connie M. Smith, Breakwater School, Portland, ME