Gossie and Gertie (Gossie & Friends) [Hardcover]

Olivier Dunrea (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 2 and up | Series: Gossie & Friends

Gossie and Gertie are best friends. They splash in the rain, play hide-and-seek, and they dive in the pond together. Everywhere Gossie goes, Gertie does too. Or does she?

With charming illustrations and gentle text, Olivier Dunrea has created two lovable, sweet characters that will appeal to the youngest listeners.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-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 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

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. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (August 26, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618176764
• ISBN-13: 978-0618176762
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 6.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #324,016 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #71 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Animals > Ducks & Other Waterfowl

More About the Author

Olivier Dunrea is the creator of beautiful and well-loved children's books. A painter and a sculptor, his work centers around medieval farms, farm animals, architecture, and folklore. He lives in a 100 year old Arts and Crafts house in a tiny, remote mountain village on the western edge of the Catskills Mountains. More of Olivier's art and life can be seen at www.olivierdunrea.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great Dunrea book!, October 11, 2005

By 

B. Keith (Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gossie and Gertie (Gossie & Friends) (Hardcover)

I've come to love Olivier Dunrea's books as much as my 2 year old son. They are so fun to read that I don't mind reading them over and over at the request of my son.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not a favorite in this house, but don't let that stop you, March 1, 2011

By 

Jason Kirkfield "The Pride and Sorrow of chil... (Purple Mountains Majesty) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gossie and Gertie (Gossie & Friends) (Board book)

I liked this book; I still do. But it was never a hit with my kids. You can usually tell which board books are popular by how worn they become. This one still looks like new. So either Houghton Mifflin developed some kind of breakthrough spit-resistant cardboard, or this one simply wasn't a favorite.

Perhaps the original non-board book version is longer and does a better job of involving the reader with the eponymous ducks? Because I think the emotional bond evident in something like Toot & Puddle is missing here.

Dunrea's illustrations are charming. And the book's message is worthwhile: Friends can be different and still be friends. I would not hesitate to buy this again, but this time for a friend's baby shower gift.

3.5 stars

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gosh, we love the Gossie books., August 9, 2008

By 

Ulyyf "Connie" (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gossie and Gertie (Gossie & Friends) (Board book)

Very cute and simple, both in pictures and text. Charming is the best word for the series.

Dunrea has a real gift at drawing emotions on geese. Even a very little child (and these books are just the right pace for babies and toddlers) can figure out what the geese are feeling by looking at the pictures.

And they're realistic, too. I can see an actual child bossing their friend like Gossie - and having a tantrum just like her too.