Fox Forgets

Goose and Bear Stories

by Suzanne Bloom

Goose has an important message for Bear, and he asks Fox to deliver it. But Fox has her mind on other things—which only leaves Bear to wonder and worry. Fortunately, in the end, these friends are as good at forgiving as they are at forgetting. Fox gets a starring role in this warmhearted and beautifully simple story about the meaning of being responsible. Featuring gentle humor and charm, this latest entry in Suzanne Bloom's acclaimed Goose and Bear series will help children build foundations for friendship, empathy, and cooperation.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Friendship, Childrens, Storytime, Humor, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2013

Reviews

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goose tells Fox he'll be right back and be sure to tell Bear. Fox forgets to tell Bear as they play "look for Goose" and checkers. The reader thinks Fox is going to remember to tell Bear Goose's message, but he keeps forgetting. Will Fox ever remember to tell Bear?

This book is full of suspense as readers anticipate Fox's hints: Psst: I have something to tell you. The illustrations and text are simple. Recommended for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten.

[Tracy Schillemore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a lot of text. I really like the illustrations. I might use it for a preschool fox theme storytime

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another meh

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this Goose and Bear story, Fox forgets to tell Bear something important. The reader knows the important information. Will Fox ever remember? This gently suspenseful story is recommended for preschool and Kindergarten. Can be used as a mentor text for predicting, identifying characters/characteristics, and beginning/middle/end story arch.

[raccoon reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am totally baffled by my sons adoration of this book. He's sent me back for more in this series (I had no idea they had other books). I'm new to the world of children's picture books and I for sure thought this was one of those one flop wonders that never had another book. Little did I know how fascinated my son would be with these simply drawn (but adorable) animals. Very few words. Very few anything. But he is hooked. Apparently the series is about Goose and Bear? But in my opinion Fox makes the book. I like him a lot. I may not understand the appeal, but I've no problem with these sweet simple books.

[Emily Carlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super easy - definitely for younger, 2-3 crowds. Goose, Fox, and Bear are great friends. Goose leaves one day and tells Fox, "don't forget to tell Bear!" Which of course, Fox does forget... A few times you think he might be telling Bear: "Psst. I have something to tell you" But he tells Bear other things.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goose, Bear, and Fox are friends. And yet a threesome is never going to be as stable a relationship as a duo, such as Goose and Bear used to have when they were friends without including Fox.

Still, this tale has a happy ending. (Of course, there will be no spoiler from me, no no!)

Fortunate is the person who manages to have even one friend. Very fortunate is the person who manages to have three, or even more, friends. That kind of skill isn't just fortune or luck, though. Keeping friends takes persistence and a willingness to learn.

To me, that's the point of this picture book.

FIVE STARS to Suzanne Bloom: an artist, an author, and a friendship-teacher to children.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: I have to go. But I'll be right back.

Premise/plot: Fox forgets to tell Bear that Goose has gone...but will be right back. Bear and Fox spend the book looking for Goose.

My thoughts: I do like some of the books in this series. This wasn't one that I loved...or even enjoyed. But if your little one loves these characters, this one isn't bad. It's just not absolutely wonderful.

I absolutely DO love the illustrations.

[Juliana Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goose tells Fox that she will be right back... and to tell Bear so he won't worry. Fox plays with Bear, but forgets to tell him that Goose will be right back and Bear does worry. Eventually, Fox remembers and when Goose returns they all three are happy.

[BiblioBeruthiel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is cute, I just don't think there's enough substance there for my storytime group.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super cute, and great for early readers. There isn't a ton of substance to it, however.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A preschool and up book about fox and bear who are waiting for their friend goose to return and fox has forgotten to give bear a message from goose.

[D Fichera · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would allow easy conversation about what it’s like to miss someone.

[Christine Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Countdown to Kindergarten: Letter X

Fox forgets to tell Polar Bear that Goose will be right back!

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the longing that Bear shows for his good friend Goose. I love how this book illustrates that it's natural to miss those we love when they are away.

[Elly Senz · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the relationship between bear and goose was quite endearing, it was unclear where goose went, and that was bothersome.

[Pamela Sepulvado Sepulvado Deroche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story of how important it is to remember to tell someone the messages you are trusted with. I will definitely be reading this to my class.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been a while since I have read the other books in this series. The story is far more simple than I remember but it's still really sweet with cute illustrations.

[Kristi Betts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fox Forgets
by Suzanne Bloom


Goose and Bear are back again in their fifth book! As the title suggests, Fox is also back. In this tale, Goose is leaving to go somewhere (a satchel full of books leads the reader to believe to the library). Goose asks Fox to "be sure to tell Bear" that she will "be right back". As you can guess, Fox forgets. Bear wants to look for Goose, but Fox wants to play. They begin by playing Looking for Goose and then move to a game of Checkers. Bear is not concentrating on the game because he continues to search for his friend Goose. Two different times Fox tells Bear she has something to tell him, but each time it is about the game they are playing. Finally Fox remembers the message he is supposed to deliver, right as Goose is returning.

Fox Forgets, like all of the other books in the series [A Splendid Friend Indeed (a 2006 Texas 2x2 Reading List selection), Treasure, What About Bear?, and Oh! What a Surprise!] is beautiful because of its simplicity. The blue background with uncluttered double page spreads with minimal words and bright, colorful details. The inclusion of books in all of her illustrations helps to show the importance of reading and her love of books. I love Bear, Fox, and Goose, and I know children of all ages will be able to relate to their situations and relationship. Highly recommended for preschool and elementary school and home libraries.

I had the wonderful opportunity to meet and present with Suzanne Bloom during the 2006 Texas Library Association's Annual Conference. As a member of the Texas 2x2 Reading List Committee we selected Ms. Bloom's book A Splendid Friend Indeed as one of the twenty titles of books for children age two to grade two. We invited her to be a speaker during our session introducing the new reading list to the librarians of Texas. She was a very enthusiastic speaker. We had a wonderful time creating and learning together. Ms. Bloom was the first author invited to speak during these annual sessions. Since then each year an author / illustrator from the current list has been invited to attend and speak about their book, characters, routines, etc. It is a fun tradition I hope continues for many years to come.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

PreS-Gr. 1
"I have to go, but I'll be right back. Be sure to tell Bear." Fans of Suzanne's Bloom's previous picture books featuring Goose, Bear, and Fox (A Splendid Friend Indeed, Treasure, Oh! What a Surprise and What About Bear) will have some inkling of what might happen when Goose asks scatterbrained Fox to pass a message to quiet Bear, the worrywart of the trio.
Bright, velvety pastels make this a picture book to dive into. The fuzzy texture of Fox's tail and Bear's coarse fur stand out against a luminous blue background, while Bear's worried expressions and Fox's playful ones are communicated through posture and tiny, expert changes to the shape or slant of each character's eyes. Large, simple shapes, gentle suspense, repetitive text and a minimum of visual detail make Fox Forgets a great choice for storytime, but beginning readers will enjoy it on their own.
And where was Goose all this time? Given that he leaves and comes back loaded with books, it's fair to guess that he was visiting the library!

For Booklist Online

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

As Goose departs and says to Fox "I have to go but I'll be right back - don't forget to tell Bear" we kind of know what's gonna happen, right? A sweetly humorous look at what happens when one gets distracted and just forgets! A simple story with large fun illustrations and spare text. In a preschool storybook with limited text, the pictures need to say so much more to convey what is happening, and these illustrations succeed in doing so. Even though little Fox makes a booboo, his expressions are so cute he can't be faulted. This library reviewer thinks it would be a good preschool story hour selection.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Accompanied by attractive pastel illustrations, this picture book tells a story with which almost everyone can relate. Goose takes off on a trip and tells Fox to let Bear know so Bear friend won't worry, but Fox forgets to do so. While they play a game of checkers, Bear is distracted and keeps looking for Goose. By the time Fox finally remembers to say anything, Goose is already back. The story is sweet and simple but also filled with the warmth among three good friends.

[babyhippoface · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goose tells Fox that she's going away, but she'll be right back, and Fox needs to be sure to tell Bear. Flighty Fox forgets, though, and wants to play with Bear, who is distracted with looking for Goose.

Spare text on great blue backgrounds has such appeal to little ones, especially those just learning to read, and Suzanne Bloom's simple, heartfelt stories are just perfect for reading alone or sharing one on one.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Forgetting to relay a message is something that everyone - child or adult- has done. In this story we have fox, totally unconcerned about a missing friend that has the polar bear all flustered and worried over all for the sake of a forgotten message. I suspect this story will resonate strongly with those listening, but there's no real solution presented, so the story fell a little flat making me wonder just what we're supposed to learn from this.

[Marilyn Olson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goose tells Fox that she has to leave, but will return shortly. Fox promises to tell Bear, but get so engrossed playing with Bear that he forgets to tell him. Bear gets sidetracked by missing Goose. Finally, Fox remembers his messge and Goose promptly returns. The illustrations are pastel, warm and inviting. This appealing friendship story is a credt to its series.

[Dana · Rating 1 out of 5]

I feel so sorry for Fox in this story. Sure, he forgets to tell Bear where goose went, but can't bear show him the common courtesy of even pretending like he's interested in the fox's company? Bear is a terrible friend to Fox. And I want to know what is so great about Goose her company is coveted above all others? Not sure why I feel so strongly about this simple picture book, but I do!

[Mother Goose Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bear, Goose, and Fox are all friends. Goose has to leave for a bit and tells Fox to tell Bear that she'll be right back. But when Bear and Fox are together, Fox forgets. Bear is busy looking for Goose. Fans of Bloom's A Splendid Friend will love this tale! Such fun and easy to love characters!

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is definitely a book for young kids. One sentence on a page, minimal story line. It did make me smile while they played checkers, but overall this wasn't what I was looking for in this book. But, if you have small kids, maybe they'll like it

[Clarissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far this is my favorite of Suzanne Blooms books starring Goose and Bear. I love the adorable fox character. In this very simple book Fox forgets to give Bear a message from Goose until he last minute.

[jacky · Rating 2 out of 5]

Plot wasn't that strong and there wasn't anything else to make up for that. I liked some aspects of the illustrations, but overall found the colors and techniques actually a little hard to look at, like they were blurry. Also, William loves foxes, but this one didn't grab his attention either.