Both of these books swam or flew across my pile at the same time.  It was impossible to not review them side-by-side because they are similarly titled, both have water fowl as main characters, but are such very different but equally wonderful books.

 

Little Goose by David Mraz, illustrated by Margot Apple

Little Goose has always like things that are round.  They all remind him of something very special to him, but he can’t remember what it is. His mother tells him that he can head off to figure it out, but he should always walk with one wing over water so he comes home safe and sound.  Little Goose heads out, meeting Turtle, Frog, and Mouse along the way.  Each of them have some ideas about what the round thing he is trying to remember may be, but none of them are right.  Little Goose has a catchy greeting that he says to each animal he meets and to his mother: “Hoinkle-oinkle” which is his young version of a honk.  By the end of the book, Little Goose can honk like a big duck and has remembered the special round thing he had forgotten.

It is a pleasure to see Apple’s illustrations here, with her great sense of pictorial humor and the bright colors.  Done in colored pencil, the illustrations have interesting lines and a childlike quality that make them friendly and warm.  Mraz has incorporated great rhythm into his first picture book.  The repetition makes this book a good choice for toddlers as does the story itself. 

Filled with just enough action and surprises to keep small children’s attention, this is a good pick for a story time on geese or mothers.  Appropriate for ages 2-4.

 

Little Swan by Jonathan London, illustrated by Kristina Rodanas

When Ko-hoh hatches from his egg, his mother and father are with him.  Two days after they have hatched, he and the three other cygnets swim in the lake for the first time.  Ten days after that, they are learning to feed underwater themselves.  Through the entire summer, the swan family stays close together.  As fall begins, Ko-hoh and his siblings learn to fly, a little farther each day, preparing to migrate.  But what will happen when Ko-hoh is attacked by a bear just before he and his family will migrate?

London has depicted the life of a young trumpeter swan with accuracy and without personification.  The name of the young swan, Ko-hoh, comes from the Kootenai Indians, who called the swans trumpet “ko-hoh.”  Rodanas’ paintings show the swans and their environment with nice details.  Yet the illustrations are not busy, but rather focus on the larger world.  They are illustrations that will work well for a group.

A great book for elementary science units, this book is scientific in nature and tells a great story.  Appropriate for ages 4-6.