The Other Goose [Library Binding]

Judith Kerr (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

There once was a goose called Katerina. Everybody liked her. But she was sad because she was the only goose on her pond.

Sometimes Katerina thought she could see another goose in the side of a shiny car. She'd stare and stare at the other goose and think, "One day that goose will come out. Then I'll no longer be the only goose on the pond."

And suddenly one day ... it did!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

At first glance, Kerr's (When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit) heroine seems to be just another earnestly dimwitted and excitable goose. But with calm, unadorned prose, smooth pacing and the genial realism of her modest colored-pencil drawings, Kerr makes Katerina more than the butt of a joke. Yearning for a companion to share life in the town's pond, Katerina believes that the reflection she sees in a shiny car is actually the other goose of the title: One day that goose will come out, thinks Katerina. Then I'll no longer be the only goose on the pond. But a snowfall that comes between Katerina and the reflection makes her think that her beloved has escaped! The sight of a man carrying a goose-sized thing in [a] goose-sized bag convinces Katerina that her soulmate is the victim of a goose-napping, and she single-mindedly pursues the perceived culprit. In the end, not only does justice prevail Katerina foils a bank robber but true love does, too: as a reward for her bravery, the town acquires a dashing gander named Charlie. The story gains from the English village setting (the mayor appears in a ceremonial robe) and from the supporting role awarded a girl shown admiring her own reflection on the car's surface, she is the only one who understands what Katerina really wants. This confidently unhurried story should evoke sighs of contentment from the audience. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2-Katerina is the only goose on the pond. Though she is well liked by all the townspeople, she is lonely and wishes for a companion. When she sees her reflection in the side of Mr. Buswell's shiny car she thinks, "One day that goose will come out. Then I'll no longer be the only goose on the pond." Winter arrives and Katerina can no longer see her reflection on the snow-covered car. She believes the other goose has emerged at last and sets off to find it. Mistaking a bag of stolen money for a bag of goose, she chases a robber into the town square. All ends well as the thief is caught and Katerina is rewarded-with another goose for the town pond. The story is illustrated with colored pencil in a limited pastel palette. Bland, generic cartoon figures are barely distinguishable from one another. In fact, the robber and Katerina's friend Bert are so alike in appearance and clothing that some readers might think they are the same person. There are also a few awkward transitions in the narrative. Although readers will find the conclusion satisfying, this contrived story is not a first choice.
Heather E. Miller, Homewood Public Library, AL
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (June 18, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060085835
• ISBN-13: 978-0060085834
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,519,698 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Warm, and Funny, Too, June 8, 2011

By 

Ohioan - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Other Goose (Paperback)

This is the story of Katerina, the only goose on a particular pond. She yearns for a companion, the one whose reflection she sees in a shiny car. But the companion never comes out. As the result of a funny misunderstanding on Katerina's part, a robbery is foiled and Katerina wins a companion. Nicely told.

4.0 out of 5 stars A very nice children's story, November 5, 2009

By 

M. Prior - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Other Goose (Paperback)

My children love this story. The pictures are beautiful and there is lots to look at in them. The story has a very nice theme of caring for friends and being in tune with their feelings.