Goose the Bear

PreS-Gr 2—In the wilds of Canada, Fox steals a goose's egg but loses it when he accidentally runs into Bear. Bear picks it up and, when it hatches, rejects the little goose, who thinks Bear is her mother. Bear tries to show her that bears can do lots of things she cannot do, because she is so small and doesn't look at all like him, such as climbing trees, running fast, and swimming. One way or another, Goose passes all the tests and finally convinces Bear of her parentage when she catches a huge salmon, in the process inadvertently knocking out Fox, who has been lurking nearby hoping to pounce on her. Bear and Goose go off happily at the end—Bear still hopefully thinking that Goose will turn into a bear like him when she grows up. The oversize illustrations are colorful and match the actions described wonderfully. Goose's antics and Bear's reactions are perfectly pictured, as is Fox's bewilderment at his failed attempts to catch Goose. In the backgrounds little vignettes of Great Canadian Northwest life can be spotted, as lumberjacks go about their business of cutting down trees. This humorous tale will have adults and children chuckling heartily. It deserves to be in most libraries.—Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA