Duck & Goose Go to the Beach

March 17, 2014
For homebodyish sorts, traveling somewhere new can be daunting; for the adventurous, destinations don’t always meet expectations. Hills uses longtime buddies Duck and Goose to make both points, as Goose’s reluctance about going on an “adventure” gives way to awe when he takes in the beach for the first time (“Isn’t it magnificent?”). Meanwhile, Duck, who has led the charge, is not quite as taken with the too-hot sand, daunting water, and colossal waves that send the friends tumbling head over heels in one memorable scene. Hills’s oil paintings provide a breezy backdrop of grass, sand, sea, and sky for Duck and Goose’s every relatable anxiety, discovery, and interaction. Ages 3–7.

March 1, 2014
In this latest Duck & Goose escapade, Duck and Goose spontaneously trek to the beach, where their reactions are decidedly mixed. After agreeing how much they love relaxing in the meadow, Duck suddenly suggests they should immediately take a trip. Enthusiastic and excited, Duck ooozes excitement, while Goose clearly would rather stay home. Oblivious, Duck heads out with Goose reluctantly in tow. Passing familiar landmarks, they enter foreign territory and eventually arrive at the beach. "[P]retty sure" he loves the beach, even though he's never been there, Duck heedlessly races to the shore, where he's quickly overwhelmed by the sound of the waves, the vast stretch of sky and "SO MUCH" water. As Duck's excitement wanes, Goose embraces the waves and eagerly explores the seashore. Soft oils transport the impressively simple, silly little figures of Duck and Goose in their floppy sun hats across single- and double-page spreads, from the greens of the meadow to the blues, whites and tans of sky, water and sand, while their expressive eyes and postures amply convey comic emotion and visual back story. Anyone ever simultaneously excited and nervous about leaving home and traveling to new places will identify with this droll duo on their first amusing trip to the beach. (Picture book. 3-7)

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April 1, 2014

PreS-K-Beloved Duck and Goose star in yet another adventure that cements their friendship. Goose is cautious and less adventuresome than Duck. "Let's go away," says Duck. "Sounds like a fine way to twist your ankle," replies Goose. Yet because they are friends, they both hike to the beach. Each illustration, done in rich, glorious colors, is a delight. Especially notable is the humorous page on which a huge wave wipes them out, covering Duck in seaweed. Hills employs excellent vocabulary-stretching words, with "magnificent" and "loud" to describe the vast expanse of sky, sand, and sea. There is so much expression in just the eyes of these characters that children can't help but smile. As the story reaches a satisfying conclusion, they will proclaim this tale a winner.-Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2014
Preschool-K Duck and Goose have shared and squabbled through a long series of picture and board books, each time delivering a comic reflection of children's friendships. In this, their tenth go-round, they're both happily at rest in a butterfly-dotted meadow until Goose says, Let's never leave. To which, of course, Duck responds, Let's leave, racing off. Goose is very reluctant to move and keeps up a constant argument about the wisdom of just staying put. Duck manages to get them both to the beach, and in a nifty reversal, it's Goose who now reigns, reveling in the waves, the new creatures they meet, and the seashell-filled tidal pool, while Duck just gets his feathers ruffled by everything. Hills' illustrations are rendered in bright oil paints that capture meadow and sea with equal vivacity. Duck and Goose, of course, are their usual comically at-odds selves, this time nicely illustrating the benefits of both adventurous and cautious personalities.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2014
In this satisfying story, friends Duck and Goose are good foils for each other. When Duck suggests a hike, Goose is reluctant to leave their meadow. However, once they reach the beach, Duck is the reluctant one, while Goose wants to explore. In the simple but pleasing oil paintings, land- and seascapes rendered in horizontal bands of color form the background for the friends' adventure.

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)