How to Hatch: A Gosling's Guide to Breaking Free

by Sara Holly Ackerman, Galia Bernstein (Illustrator)

Discover how a gosling hatches into the world, step by step, in this irresistibly cute and funny nonfiction picture book.

Is it getting stuffy in there?
Has your yolk dwindled to a smidge?
Is the beak in your wingpit cramping your style?
Gosling, it’s time to . . .
HATCH!

With humorous, spare text that reads as an insructional "how to", this story is a delight to read aloud and walks children through every step of the hatching process--with a surprise ending that all readers will enjoy.

Includes bonus facts on gosling hatching and growth, as well as an author's note from the author, an experienced preschool and elementary teacher who has hatched many goslings herself in the classroom. Perfect for Easter baskets!

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Nature, Animals, Birds, Stem, Science

32 pages, Hardcover

Published January 13, 2026

Reviews

[YSBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful and personable look at how goslings get out of their shells, with plenty of information and lovely illustrations. In a chatty, informal voice, Sara Holly Ackerman gives advice to the embryo as it struggles to break free: “Is it getting stuffy in there? Has your yolk dwindled to a smidge?...Gosling, it’s time to hatch!” This lively text in a large font (and “HATCH” jumps off the page in bold letters) appears opposite a magnified illustration of the cramped baby and a turquoise side bar with more details, vocabulary, and a timeline. The author then follows the little bird through the many steps it takes to be born, supplying sound effects (“Tap, ta-tap”, “zzzzzz!”, and “Turn-peck. Turn-peck. Turn-peck-peck!”). It’s a slow journey but the book celebrates the baby’s determination to complete the arduous process and readers will be mesmerized by the growing sense of anticipation as we approach the big finale. The digital illustrations resemble watercolor paintings, with semi-realistic images that capture the action but will still elicit coos of delight at the gosling’s cuteness and mom's devotion. Meanwhile, the sidebars answer questions quickly and completely and can be read or skipped, depending on readers’ interest level. For example, in step one (“BREATHE!”), kids will learn that the baby uses its eyetooth to prick the air cell while the sidebar goes into more detail about the new animal’s lungs. Ackerman doesn’t shy away from harder material, such as the dehydration embryo might experience if it takes too long to hatch. But the overall tone is upbeat and adorable, with a final two page spread welcoming the newcomer to the gaggle as six new yellow fuzzy babies trail after mom along the water’s edge. Back matter includes a hefty glossary (which I needed to use while reading the book), an author’s note, and selected sources for more study. The endpapers open the two adult birds as they select a site and build their nest while the reader will get to see several images of the complete family at the back of the book. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are several excellent books about eggs and hatching out there, particularly Diana Hutts Aston's An Egg Is Quiet, but this one, which is just as amusing as it is informative, ranks right up there among the best. Following a gosling through six steps to freedom, the narrative addresses the gosling directly, concerned about how cramped it is, urging it to breathe, tap, and take breaks as needed. Sidebar notes describe what's actually happening inside that once comfortable, now confining shell. The larger than life-size digital artwork is the main focus on each double-page spread with the gosling struggling, stretching, trying to steady itself, and then joining the rest of the yellow-feathered family as they follow their mother. It's all such a marvelous process. The endpapers are just as delightful, showing the geese mating, building a nest, and then, caring for their brood. This one is a must-have for any elementary science classroom library. I loved everything about it, even the muted tones used in the illustrations, which make the emergence from the shell all the more dramatic.

[Ccaywood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Narrated in the voice of a life coach, this is an amusing nonfiction account of how a Canada goose manages to get out of its egg. “Is the beak in your wingpit cramping your style? Gosling, it's time to . . . HATCH!” The pictures are large and simple and realistic, perfect for a Spring storytime, with information that may be new even to adults.

I knew that the embryo has an egg tooth – a bump on the bill – to crack the shell from the inside. But I did not know that the egg tooth is also used to break the air bag at the large end of the egg so the embryo can start breathing. (That air pocket is why a hard boiled egg has a depression at the large end instead of fitting the shape of the shell.)

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This amazing book offers readers a glimpse into the hatching of a gosling (baby goose). Using straightforward, gorgeous illustrations and a fun, encouraging tone from the narrator the book reads as an exciting, difficult experience. Sidebars provide additional details about the hatching process. This delightful book is bound to excite children just learning about hatching or even experiencing it at home or in the classroom. I even learned some things I didn't know! That's always a mark of a good picture book! The gosling is adorable and young readers/listeners will be rooting for it to successfully exit the egg. The book works well as a read aloud in a classroom, story time, or individually. May even inspire re-readings. Highly recommended.

[heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rated How to Hatch: A Gosling's Guide to Breaking Free by Sara Holly Ackerman a 5/5 because it's a very cute and engaging way of blending nonfiction and storytelling. The "step-by-step" or "guidebook" style makes the science of an egg hatching feel fun while still being accessible! The factual side bars on every page assist the learning of this scientific topic. It truly is a fantastic way of keeping kids engaged while still having them learn real life facts. I think this would be a great book to include in a 1st or 2nd grade classroom! This book is a great pick for life cycle units and that is why I would definitely include it in my future classroom!

[Martha Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh! This is a delight. Climb inside a goose egg to find out every step of the process of hatching out of an egg. The omniscient narrator understands what the prospective gosling is going through from beginning to end: "Getting stuffy in there?" Perfectly set up to be read to several ages, adding green boxes on each spread giving deeper scientific information than the preschool text. Funny, but still sharing the wonder of an everyday miracle of nature!

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations and carefully selected texrtb and labels in this large-format picture book combine to provide readers of many ages with the "INSIDE STORY" of a goose egg preparing to hatch. It's absolutely intriguing, and the illustrations merit close examination as well and re-reading and turning back to earlier pages while reading
The author's note and glossary are helpful, while the illustrations are both gently drawn and scientifically revealing.

[Jeimy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a clever way to teach children about how birds hatch from eggs. The book balances science and humor seamlessly, making the information engaging without ever feeling too heavy or overly educational.

The illustrations are adorable, the instructional-guide format works perfectly, and the whole thing would make for a fantastic read-aloud. If I still had a classroom, I absolutely would have added this to my classroom library.

[Lisa Tolin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating, funny, and adorable! This inside look at a gosling hatching is a delight, from the beginning feeling cramped with a beak in the wingpit to the flop from the shell and the warmth of the gaggle. I love that the gosling takes a nap mid-hatch. Relatable! Sidebars give excellent detail on the dramatic unfolding journey.

[Cathy Mealey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally! Answers to all the questions about just what happens inside the eggshell!

"Aim your egg tooth. Jab. Inhale."

Kids will be goggle-eyed from the incredible story of how a gosling becomes, beautifully illustrated and told in an entertaining, super engaging and humorous manner.

A must read for springtime!

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this highly readable text. As the author's note at the back suggests, this book would work really well in a classroom that is also doing an incubator unit. I always really love Galia Bernstein's illustrations, and I think they work nicely here. Informative and cute.

[Dolores · Rating 5 out of 5]

Step by step guide takes the reader through the hatching process with the cutest illustrations imaginable.

[Annamarie Carlson (she, her)]

If you are doing a storytime experience about chicks/birds hatching, this is the book. Great illustrations and easy-to-understand but still accurate explanations of hatching processes.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute little story (well almost a story) about a chick hatching and all the things they have to do to get out of the shell. I had never seen a picture book about hatching.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super informative! My kids were really into it and wanted to see a video after reading the book.
Lots of facts and cute illustrations.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoughtful introduction to how goslings hatch from the egg. This wasn't a good read aloud choice for my 5-year-old, but my eight-year-old was interested in the science behind hatching.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun and informative

[Meghan Bohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful introduction to everything that's going on inside an egg before it hatches!

[Lauren M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute and informative! I loved the step-by-step illustrations of the gosling hatching!

[Holly Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-buy for elementary school libraries. Illustration are adorable. Information is the perfect amount and perfectly geared to the audience. Just buy it now.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's really cool seeing step by step how a bird hatches!

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big pictures and a story about a goose who lays an egg and is followed through the whole hatching process- from first crack to first waddle. And then the gaggle of geese.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A step by step guide on how to hatch if you are a gosling inside an egg. I love that it is told from the perspective of the gosling inside the egg. My third graders found this engaging.

[Marcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teminds me of the egg and shell books. Can see who k teachers will like it

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review forthcoming