Skylar

by Mary Cuffe-Pérez, Renata Liwska (Illustrations)

When the wild geese migrate over the little pond with its pink flamingos and clipped grass, Skylar and the others watch with envy. They like their pond, but there is something elegant and brave about being a real wild goose. But they?ve never flown before, and besides, there?s never been a reason to go. Then a lost heron wants the pond geese to take him to Lost Pond, and Skylar thinks it?s time for this motley crew to spread their wings and try out the great blue yonder. Adventure awaits . . . but, as they?ll soon find out, so does great danger. At once charming and funny, full of friendship, hardship, and bravery, this is a beautifully told story about leaving home to experience the world. With delightful black-and-white illustrations, and hints of Charlotte?s Web and The Tale of Despereaux , this is a book in the tradition of fine children?s literature.

Genres: Animals, Fantasy, Adventure, Fiction, Birds, Juvenile

144 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2008

Reviews

[Eliza Eagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the wild geese migrate over the little pond with its pink flamingos and clipped grass, Skylar and the others. Skylar claimed to be a point goose but was nothing more than a pond goose They like their pond, but there is something elegant and brave about being a real wild goose. But they've never flown before, and besides, there's never been a reason to go.
Then a lost heron wants the pond geese to take him to Lost Pond, and Skylar thinks it?s time for this motley crew to spread their wings and try out the great blue yonder. Adventure awaits . . . but, as they'll soon find out, so does great danger.

this book really interested me in m any ways. the author of this book started writing it as she passed a group of geese on her way to work everyday who seemed to be more models than real geese. she always wondered many things about the geese and their migration.

one other thing that really interested me was that her book is based on her surroundings and the environment around her. it could very from homeless people, to a bird in a pond. it was very interesting that her surrounding for this book and the setting of this book was from right out of her home in Galway, New York

[Pyrate Queen · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book jacket says "with delightful black and white illustrations and hints of Charlotte's Web and The Tale of Despereaux, this is a book in the tradition of fine children's literature." I don't know if I'd go that far. There is just enough dialogue and action to bring a child along on the adventure with Skylar and his friends as they escort Who-on the heron to the Lost Pond in the Adirondack Mountains but the book left me searching for more.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was cute. I thought character development was lacking, even for a kids book. Like, couldn’t Skylar ever stop being misogynistic and prideful at least? Did she really have to scar my children by killing off a main character? This was a library book so no harm no “fowl” to my book collection.

[Gerlinde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written older children's book.

[Maria Antonia · Rating 3 out of 5]

1) I found this very interesting. Told from the perspective of the geese, it's an interesting look into the migration of Canada geese. Plenty of goose facts, but in the format of a story.

2) I loved the quirks of all the geese! The boasting of Skylar and quiet wisdom of Esther. Roosevelt's a bit of a know-it-all, too. And then Weedle and Loomis add a lot of fun to the story with their antics. Love the character arcs for all of them... Especially with how they band together (despite all their bickering).

3) And then there's the Who-on (the name the geese give the heron). He's so patient with them. Even when he finally gets angry at them for not knowing exactly where they're going! I especially loved the part at the end when he speaks to Skylar and reveals some things. (I won't spoil it here.)

4) The illustrations are a nice touch.


FINAL THOUGHTS

A fun* story about Canada geese. It is lower MG, and I would definitely recommend for kids who like animals-can-talk books. Also, if you're interested in learning about geese migration, this is a nice peek into that topic (from the POV of the geese).

(SPOILER Warning: *There is a sad event that does happen in the book involving a death. Nothing graphic, but it is sad in the vein of a book like Charlotte's Web.)

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skylar leads the pond geese on the adventure of their lives as they search for themselves on their quest to return the heron to Lost Pond. Beautifully told story of danger, hardship, bravery and friendship with information about the migratory habits of geese seamlessly interspersed. A good classroom read aloud, reminiscent of Gooseberry Park.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet short book. Skylar is a "pond" goose that had a traumatic first migration and becomes part of a domesticated "estate pond" community. In helping out a fellow bird, he is forced to try migration again. I like how the author gently shows how much negative influence humans have on the lives of animals.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to a first and second grade class while doing a bird study. There's life lessons in this little story and also some information about Canada geese, migration and herons. There's some sadness here too and a sense of accomplishment. Great for conversation- someone said it's like Charlotte's Web. I agree!

[Katie W · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of courage and adventure, of overcoming fear, leaving the comfort zone, taking a leap of faith, and discovering one's true self with the help of others along the way - this story about a flock of geese was well written and contained many beautiful descriptions of nature and wilderness.

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filled with great one-liners, such as "how utterly . . . duckish."

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done and a good story about 5 poond geese.
Emphasis on doing what you dream, being brave and sharing responsibility.