Gossie and Gertie

September 1, 2002
PreS-K-Two books that are sure to become favorites because they tap into quintessential preschool experiences. In the first book, Gossie's red boots are missing. When they are found on the feet of Gertie, a smaller gosling, Gossie ends up sharing them. In the second story, Gertie is back, this time with blue boots of her own. She follows Gossie and does everything Gossie says, for a while. When she begins to do her own thing, her friend gets upset. By the end, the tables turn and Gertie leads Gossie to the food bowl, which they share, struggles forgotten. Dunrea's texts use easy words and simple, repetitive sentences, with a little bit of rhyming when it fits: "She wears them when she rides. She wears them when she hides" (Gossie). The ink-and-watercolor illustrations add little details that will reward observant children, such as a small insect in the background. Gossie's rural world is reassuringly child-sized, clear, and contained, as indicated by simple lines, primary colors, and focused illustrations on a white background. Because of the books' small size they will be better for one-on-one sharing than for group storytime. Young children will ask to hear these stories again and again, and they're just right for little hands.-Laurie von Mehren, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Parma, OH

Copyright 2002 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2002
Reviewed with Olivier Dunrea's "Gossie."

PreS. These small, square picture books introduce two little goslings in stories as unassuming yet satisfying as the art that illustrates them. "Gossie" features a little goose who loves wearing her bright red boots everywhere. One morning, they are missing. Searching everywhere, Gossie becomes increasingly distressed until she finds her boots on the feet of another, slightly smaller gosling. The last page shows the duo walking together, each wearing one red boot. In "Gossie & Gertie," Gossie in her red boots and Gertie in blue ones are inseparable companions. Gossie, who expects Gertie to follow her lead, is increasingly annoyed when Gertie follows her own path. These beautifully designed volumes are simple enough for a two-year-old, yet they offer enough of a story to entertain older preschoolers as well. Pleasing in their economy of line, the bright ink-and-watercolor illustrations look clean and sharp against the white backgrounds. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2002, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2003
In two small, square, adventurous books, goslings Gossie and Gertie begin a friendship and go on to do everything together--though it's not "always" Gossie who leads and Gertie who follows. Succinct texts use repetition and predictability with skill and work well with early independent readers and preschoolers. The illustrations are spare and expressive, yet include a multitude of details. [Review covers these titles: "Gossie" and "Gossie and Gertie". ]

(Copyright 2003 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)