Goose the Bear

December 16, 2013
A diminutive gosling makes a believer out of a condescending bear in Gehrmann’s tale, first published in Germany in 2009. A fox steals a goose egg but loses it when he collides with a bear (“Bears were not to be messed with”). When the egg hatches, the bear is underwhelmed. “Mama!’ cries the gosling. “I’m not your mama,” the bear says, uncomfortably. “I’m big and strong.... And you’re—different.” “Yes, Mama,” replies the gosling. Gehrmann works in cheerful wash and kinetically charged charcoal outlines, making the most of the contrast between the tiny gosling and the giant, lumpy bear. The bear’s confusion and contempt turn slowly to admiration as the gosling proves that she can fly as fast as he can climb and run, as well as swim right alongside him. And when she catches a huge salmon (knocking the fox smartly on the head with it), the bear’s perspective changes altogether: “The bear was proud. It could be his child.” Gehrmann’s light touch produces a story that works both as a straight comedy and, deeper down, as a fable about looking past differences. Ages 4–8.

January 1, 2014
What an unfortunate title for this wry twist on Are You My Mother. Insertion of the word "and" before "the" would so easily have eliminated the bawdy suggestion. A fox is on a search for an edible present for his wife and steals a goose egg. "What a delicious surprise it will be when a roast goose hatches for dinner," he thinks to himself. When he runs directly into a bear, though, he drops the egg. The bear picks it up, the egg hatches, and the gosling cries, "Mama!" The bear wants no part of being the gosling's mother and tries to leave her behind, but the imprinted gosling clings to the bear. Thinking to prove that he is not the gosling's mama, the bear proceeds to perform a series of actions he believes only bears can do: climbing, running fast and jumping into the river. In each case, the gosling manages to keep up using her own traits, each time calling, "Mama"--and ultimately endearing herself to the bear. But can she catch a salmon...? The fox lurks in the background throughout, ultimately unwittingly abetting the gosling's final test of bearhood in a tongue-in-cheek turnaround. The cartoonish illustrations embellish the humor, with the colors washing over the definition lines and visible brush strokes. This quixotic German import is entertaining, if you can get past the title. (Picture book. 4-7)

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June 1, 2014

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

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