Jasper & Joop

Gossie and Friends

by Olivier Dunrea

Jasper likes to be neat. Each morning he tidies his nest and puts on his cap and bow tie. Joop likes to be messy! Each morning he rumples his nest and musses his feathers. Despite their differences, Jasper and Joop are two very good friends--birds of a feather! But what will happen when one friend gets into trouble with some busy bees?    Another pair of darling goslings make their debut in this story, with Olivier Dunrea’s perfectly pitched storytelling and illustrations that Gossie&Friends fans have come to cherish.

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

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

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

[Carmen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Each morning Jasper tidies his nest and puts on his cap and tie.

Each morning Joop rumples his nest and musses his feathers.

I don't feel like I can rate this fairly. I, personally, felt like this book was boring and repetitive - it's ADORABLE-beyond-belief pictures its only saving grace.

However, obviously as a grown-ass woman I am NOT the intended audience for this book.

The NY Times Book Review advises children aged 3-7 to read this. I cannot for the life of me imagine a 7-year-old being interested in this. o.O I'd definitely say three. Maybe four.

[Maddypictures · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple sentences compare and contrast neat, Felix Unger type Jasper with his best friend, a slovenly Oscar Maddix type. Illustrations make clear that even when they say the same thing, their reactions are opposite. For example, "Jasper jumps over the puddle. 'Too wet,' he says." readers see Jasper smartly hopping over the puddle with nary a feather out of place. "Joop splashes into the puddle. 'TOO wet!' he honks." with his wings and legs akimbo, gleefully splashing about.
A nice gentle adventure for young readers.

[Maryruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the book Jasper and Joop. It's a classic story of friendship. It's a book that I would do as a read aloud to a kindergarten class in the first week of school. During this time children can be confused about new friends. It just shows that sometimes friends look different, act different, and like different things. But nonetheless that doesn't make their friendship any less valuable to them, in the end they had a blast together. The pictures in the book are spectacular, very vibrant, and portray the story like they should. They are very eye catching to the young and old eye.

[Great Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jasper likes to be neat. Joop likes to be messy! and yet they are best friends and best friends help each other when one of them gets into trouble. This is a great little book with delightful illustrations and a simple story of friendship that even the youngest reader will enjoy. Fans of the Gossie and Gert books will want to add this new friend to the family. If you're not yet a fan you soon will be. Reviewer 15

[Miss Pippi the Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to the farmyard Jasper & Joop!

Dunrea revealed two new goslings in his Gossie & Friends series. Jasper likes to be neat and tidy while Joop likes to be messy. One statement is said in two ways as Jasper and Joop go along with their day. It's an adorable short tale about opposites, as well as, friendship.

2024 storytime theme: Olivier Dunrea gosling books

Reviewed from a library copy.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story for young children about opposites and how everyone is different. There are two geese in this story; one is tidy, and the other is messy. They go about their day together with one staying tidy and the other having fun until they are chased by a swarm of bees and they both have fun getting messy. The text is short and simple, although a little nebulous with the ‘opposites’ theme.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, short book about two friends who are different but have fun together. Gonna read it for Mr. Rogers storytime next week. The book is kind of small though - would be better to read to a child in your lap, but I'm going to try to make it work because my crowd is rather small lately and it's a new library book and cute.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three, three and a half for the story. Five for the cute little birdie pictures.

Two very different birds can still be friends.

Sigh. I do love a cute little animal picture books. It's undignified.

[Clarissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love these sipmle little books for toddlers. Boo Boo is my favorite, but they all have charm. Jasper and Joop are opposites. Jasper is tidy and Joop is messy. They play together, get covered in mud and jump in the pond.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny story about 2 friends who are the opposite of each other or are they? Could use this book for the younger set, but would work for preschoolers too. I wish it was a bit larger in size to share with a group.

[babyhippoface · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jasper & Joop are the cutest little goslings you've ever seen. They're complete opposites. Jasper is neat and tidy, Joop loves mud and muck, but they're best friends.

Nothing new or striking here, just two absolutely adorable geese. Toddlers will like Jasper & Joop.

[Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute introduction to the Odd Couple.

A pair of goslings are defined by their differences, but a frightening encounter forcing them to join together in an effort to escape certain danger binds them together and reinforces their friendship.

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jasper is tidy. Joop is messy. These goslings may be different, but they are the best of friends!

[Meggan · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have enjoyed all of his books. Some of our favorites since my girls were really little.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jasper is a small white gosling who likes to be tidy and his friend Joop is a small gray gosling who likes to be messy.

[Peacegal · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Odd Couple" style story with goslings.

[Valerie Steffey · Rating 4 out of 5]

good for tidy and messy, or birds storytime. The book is really small though, wish it was bigger.

[Cathy | A Case Full of Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't like it as much as Gossie, Gertie and Ollie, but it was still adorable!

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet story about friendship and the differences that make each of us unique. The narrative is short and fun to read aloud and the illustrations are colorful and cartoonish.

[April Thompson Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable story of how opposite are perfect for each other!

[Rima Aroutiounian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jasper and Joop are very different but are the besets friends. They play together. This book is really easy read and repetitive, great for phonologic awareness.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still love the illustrations. The story is okay, too.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

My infant son enjoyed playing with this board book. The illustrations were simple and eye catching.

[Amelia]

great illustrations!

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best friends who are the opposite of each other but that's what makes them work so well together.

[Ruth Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jasper and Joop may be opposites but they are good friends!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

the adorable pictures make this book. too small to read in storytime.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

About two friends...one messy and one tidy. A cute series

[Vee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like Dunrea's Gosling books but something about the imagery in this book is a bit unsettling.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Softly illustrated, simply written, with loveable animal characters. Yet there's still enough action, especially if the early readers for this book are sweating plenty just to keep up.

Here's a sample of high drama in this simple, simple world:

Jasper stares at Joop.
"Dusty straw," he says.

Joop stares at Jasper.
"DUSTY straw," he says.

FIVE STARS of victory, in terms of this easy reader world.