Ollie the Stomper

Gossie and Friends

by Olivier Dunrea

Ollie longs to stomp in his very own pair of boots just like Gossie and Gertie do! A My First I Can Read about the joys and frustrations of sharing, from the world of Olivier Dunrea's beloved Gossie & Friends. Gossie wears red boots, Gertie wears blue boots, but Ollie has no boots. Stomping bootless after Gossie and Gertie as they tromp in the straw, romp in the rain, and jump over puddles in their colorful boots leaves Ollie frustrated. Little Ollie decides he really wants his own pair of boots . . . but what will he do if he gets them? Any child who has had to keep up with an older sibling, cousin, or friend will relate to Ollie as he finds his own way in the barnyard. Olivier Dunrea's Gossie & Friends books have long been preschool favorites; the earnest characters are at once both deeply relatable and inspirational for young readers. This My First I Can Read book is carefully crafted using basic language, word repetition, sight words, and sweet illustrations—which means it's perfect for shared reading with emergent readers. The active, engaging My First I Can Read stories have appealing plots and lovable characters, encouraging children to continue their reading journey.

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

32 pages, Paperback

First published August 25, 2003

About the author

Since his debut in 1983, author and illustrator Olivier Dunrea has created a steady stream of picture books, including concept books, stories of family life—modern and ancient—and stories about artists. Many of Dunrea's picture books testify to his love of animals and his interest in archaeology and folklore of the British Isles, and several—including Ravena, The Trow-Wife's Treasure, and Bear Noel—take place in a similar land of Dunrea's own creation: the mythic island of Moel Eyris. "I don't write books or make pictures for children," Dunrea once told Something About the Author (SATA). "I make them for myself. It just so happens that children like what I do as much as I do!"

Olivier (Jean-Paul Dominique) Dunrea (1953-) Biography - Personal, Career, Member, Writings, Sidelights

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ollie is quite the stomper and leads his fellow goslings into trouble. When he scores a different coloured boot from his two friends, he is able to stomp around. His parading soon ends when he ends up too hot and sheds the boots to go for a swim. Short book and to the point, but surely not as exciting as many we have read. We have a few more books, so perhaps we will zip through them and allow Ollie to entertain others.

[Kaethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love to give books from Dunrea as baby gifts. The art is lovely, floating in a lot of white space. The text is simple, and amusing. Just adorable.

[Elias · Rating 2 out of 5]

Elias 15 maanden:

Aandacht heb je nog niet voor dit boekje. Je slaat het telkens dicht tijdens het voorlezen. Er zit geen interactie in en dat boeit je momenteel nog niet zoveel.

[Angel Torres · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was alright. My girl liked it but honestly the moral of the story was weird.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

According to our trusty Goodreads Blurber:

<>Any toddler who has had to keep up with an older brother or sister will relate to Ollie as he finds his own way in the barnyard.

In this story, Ollie is the goose equivalent of a toddler. His older siblings, Gossie (the oldest, his brother) and Gertie (the middle child-goose, Ollie's sister) are goslings. They look like baby geese.

By contrast -- at least, to my untrained eye -- Ollie looks more like a rubber ducky.

Gossie and Gertie have colorful boots. He tells them -- demands, really -- that he wants boots. Will he ever get some?

The happy ending to this book is just delightful.

FIVE STARS for this exemplary picture book, written and illustrated by Olivier Dunrea.

[Amal Nassir · Rating 4 out of 5]

While out playing with his siblings, Ollie feels frustrated that he doesn't have boots like Gossie's red boots or Gertie's blue boots. And he's not afraid to show it.

Gossie and Gertie kindly lend him one of each of their boots. But after storming about in them, Ollie decides he doesn't want the boots after all, so they all take their boots off and go for a swim instead.

A very simple story about the importance of sharing and friendship, with beautiful illustrations.

[Sarah Cho · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book in the series of "Ollie". Ollie in this book is a little different than the other ducks and realizes that when she is the only one without books. She is also colored brown wheras the rest are yellow ducks. The color difference shows the diversity the Author is trying to provide to young readers. Overall, a good book for younger children.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ollie the Stomper is a very interesting book, but very good. I remember this being my favorite book as a child, but I don't really know what to think of it now. I felt like the book was very basic, and although it is a picture book; I have read picture books that are more dense. I think that the author might be trying to teach the readers about friendship and how important it is.

[Hannah Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a gosling that followed around his older siblings all day, frustrated that they had boots and he did not. When they finally shared their boots with him, he hopped around in them for a little bit before deciding that they were too hot and took them off.
- This can be a great classroom resource to teach sharing with students

[E & E’s Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Gossie and Friends series is a big hit at our house. This one is cute, but not as fun as some of the earlier ones. Ollie wants boots like Gossie and Gertie, so they each share a boot with him. He ends up not liking them as much as he thought he would.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can remember the first time I read this book to my daughter when she was a baby. "I want boots!" I think little children can relate to Ollie. I love how Gossie and Gertie are willing to share their boots.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a total sucker for cute kids books that have a character that is quirky. I wish I knew about these when my daughter was little, I think they would have rated right up there with Clementine, but for an earlier age.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Level E book. Ollie wants boots! Great series.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Way too cute and adorable - particularly the "climax". Additionally, had fun reading it to my Goddaughters who love the Gossie and Gertie series.

[Olivia S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute simple story about Ollie the gosling who wants boots (just like most goslings apparently do). A very small size of book, so not good for storytime. Very simple text, 2+.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

AR 0.9

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute!

[Haaley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very simple but the little details still made a nice little story.

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice little story with wonderful artwork.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A toddler and up picture book about a duck gosling following to other ducks who have cool boots and wanting them. Nice sharing theme.

[Lucca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and funny short book that’s an easy read about sharing.

[Nohemí González · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's ok, my daughter like it more than I do.

[Maeve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ollie, jealous of Gossie's red boots and Gertie's blue boots, demands boots of his own. Gossie and Gertie share their boots and let Ollie lead playtime for a while.

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

I love the sharing in this book

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great books for the littles! They stomped and shouted with Ollie

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very simple book, perfect for a two year old. "Ollie stomps after them." M enjoyed it.

[Joeri Dassen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leuk!

[Jack Kämpfer · Rating 2 out of 5]

4/10
Hardcover

I no wike it. Ollie is whiny and annoying.

[Cassablanca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh...Not sure what the point of the story is.