Borka

by John Burningham

Bald Borka is different to all the other birds.

She needs a woolly jumper to keep warm and she isn't very good at flying. Then one day she finds a new home - and suddenly Borka's no longer the ugly duckling.

'A very satisfying story ... highly recommended,' - Reading Times

'He is one of the best writers in the business.' - Financial Times

'The language of children is Burningham's.' - TES

'This favourite is as enchanting as ever.' - Reading Times

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Friendship, Adventure, Family, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1999

About the author

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bur...

Married to Helen Oxenbury They have one son and two daughters.

John Burningham was born in 1936 in Farnham, Surrey, and attended the alternative school, Summerhill. In 1954 he spent two years travelling through Italy, Yugoslavia and Israel, working at a variety of jobs.

From 1956-1959, he studied at the Central School of Art, after which he designed posters for London Transport and the British Transport Commission. He also spent a year on an animated puppet film in the Middle East. He then became a writer and illustrator of children's books, his first book, Borka: The Adventures of a Goose With No Feathers (1963) winning the Kate Greenaway Medal in 1963, an achievement he repeated with Mr Gumpy's Outing (1970).

Since then, he has written and illustrated many children's books. He is also a freelance designer of murals, exhibitions models, magazine illustrations and advertisements.

Reviews

[Gerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once upon a time there were two geese called Mr and Mrs Plumpster. Each Spring they returned to the marshes of their ancestors, and Mrs Plumpster laid her eggs.

Soon six fine young Plumpsters hatched: Archie, Freda, Jennifer, Oswald, Timothy and Borka. But Borka was different. Borka had no feathers and could not fly. The doctor goose was called and all he could say was, 'A most unusual case.'

Mrs Plumpster therefore decided to knit Borka something to keep her warm and as she could not knit feathers, she knitted her a grey woollen jersey, making it look as much like feathers as she was able. The other geese laughed at Borka and she went into a patch of tall reeds and cried.

When winter came the other geese flew off in search of warmer climes, leaving Borka all alone. She was bewildered and when it began to rain she did not know what to do. Espying some boats, she decided to go aboard one with no lights on it so that she could keep warm and dry for the night.

As she walked up the gangplank a dog barked and rushed up. Seeing it was only a goose, the dog was friendly and introduced himself as Fowler. Borka explained that she only wanted to stay the night and Fowler took her into the hold where there were some old sacks on which she could sleep.

The boat, named 'Crombie', set sail early the following morning and Borka suddenly found herself at sea. The captain, McAllister, and his mate, Fred, discovered Borka and said, 'A goose on board! She'll have to work her passage if she's coming with us to London.' And Borka did just that, coiling rope, picking up crumbs and helping in any way she could. In return she was looked after and fed.

When they were nearing London the captain decided to leave Borka in Kew Gardens, where other geese lived. He put her ashore there and Borka was sorry to say goodbye to her new friends. However, she soon integrated with the other geese and they did not mind that she had no feathers.

One named Ferdinand took a particular liking to Borka and he took her under his wing! And she flourished and continues to live there and is visited by Captain McAllister whenever he is in the vicinity. So if you are in Kew Gardens and spot a goose that is different to the others, you can be sure it is Borka!

[Lizzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Borka, one of six new goslings in the Plumpster gaggle, has a particularly lovely knitted jumper. The geese around her don’t seem to appreciate as much as she does though. This is a tale of a young goose discovering that she is somewhat different from her brothers and sisters, her friends and even her parents. Her differences stop her from joining in and force her to find new and different forms of travelling. In finding different and untrodden routes, however, Borka also discovers friendship, meaning, self-worth and a home where she is able to be herself. Things we all hope for.

This is a beautifully illustrated story, reminding the reader never to take for granted that any two beings are the same. We all make our own tracks and find our own roads. Being particularly wordy in comparison to other Burningham works, I would suggest Borka is a KS1 text, great to for starting discussions on differences, friendships, societal norms, home, habitat and journeys. If I could, I would like to see this amazing work as a picture book without words. Burningham’s landscapes are enough to tell a story and spur the imagination - getting lost in them is a joy.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Borka is one of the six geese children of Mr. and Mrs. Plumpster, and Borka is born without feathers. A doctor examines her and tells her parents that nothing is wrong with her except that she does not have feathers. Borka's mother knits her a grey suit that resembles feathers. Borka is laughed at by the other geese, and none of the other geese notice when she does not fly south (she cannot fly without feathers), but Borka nevertheless finds a way to have a good life.

One of the 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up.

[Ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Borka is a young goose who is born without feathers. Her family are unkind to her because she is different which males Borka feel sad. Borka is given a jumper to keep her warm but the other geese tease her. She is left behind when the others leave for the winter and she finds a boat where she makes friends with the crew. They take her to a nice park in London where the geese are much more accepting of her.
A lovely story of inclusion and accepting others who may seem different. The message teaches children that you should always be yourself and be kind to others and you will find friends who treat you well.
There could be text-to-text connections made with The Ugly Duckling. I would use the book with FS-year 3 children as a read-aloud story as well as linking cross-curricular activites to the story. For example, the illustrations are really interesting and could inspire artwork.

[Sarah]

I am a big fan of John Burningham as much for the illustrations as for the story itself. He has a great 'sensible' imagination (like knitting feathers for Borka) which always makes me smile. Borka is a gosling that is born without feathers unlike his siblings. He cannot learn to fly and cannot emmigrate when it gets cold. But his mum knits him a top to keep warm. When his siblings fly off he is taken to Kew Gardens with all the other birds and this becomes his home. I actually found it quite moving - surprisingly so - obvious, I guess, but moving none-the-less - and even brilliant. The illustrations are worth a good ponder on their own.

[Melissa Buck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Burningham's first picture book, Borka certainly is a lovely book to read. Following the same lines of the Ugly Duckling, we see Borka, a young goose, who slowly is rejected by her family for not having any feathers, so decides to take her own path in the wild. Making friends along the way, she travels by ship to London, to which she finally is accepted for who she is and can make her home forever.

[Melissa Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely story talking about the differences we can have. Lots of factual information was woven into the story which gives the reader a link between the story and the wider world. Many of the ideas in the story made me think about The Ugly Duckling. The pictures used complement the words really well and will work as a support to the reader.

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

There can never be too many books about being different and finding a place to fit in.

[Moni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Die Bilder erinnern an expressionistische Gemälde:
http://www.vintagechildrensbooksmykid...
Spannend und bewegend ohne pädagogischen Impetus.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming, somewhat poignant, story of a featherless goose who finally finds a home where he is accepted and welcomed. 55th Anniversary edition.

[Marcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So glad they issued a 55th anniversary edition of this lovely book that was part of Dreamers.
Lovely!

[Esther May · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked how in this book the duck left those who were unkind to her and never looked back. They (the mean ones) never enter her story again.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first encountered the illustrations and stories of John Burningham in the title Mr. Gumpy’s Outing and loved reading it. But it is just today that I am reading his debut picture book from 1962, Borka which won the Kate Greeaway award that year.
I love birds so the story of a goose with no feathers was interesting. But, oh. from the endpapers onward I was intrigued by the colorful illustrations many outlined in black lines, and the wonderful intense colors. To give the ducks names was priceless, especially the surname, Plumbster.
This reissued title in 2018 was on the 55 anniversary of being awarded the Kate Greeaway medal.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ah, there's such poignancy and such a great message about resilience and uniqueness in this picture book originally published in 1963 and now reissued. This one, which deservedly won the Kate Greenaway Medal, was the first picture book by its creator, John Burningham, and the colors, large shapes, and thick outlines make it noticeable and filled with appeal for young readers. The plot concerns a pair of geese called the Plumpsters, who are raising a brood of goslings in the marsh. As the six eggs hatch and the babies grow, it quickly becomes apparent that one gosling, Borka, has no feathers. A doctor suggests that her mother knit her some in order to keep warm, which is what the mother does. All is fine until the temperatures drop, and the geese fly away, leaving Borka behind. She wanders about, lost and confused, until she meets up with a dog and a boat captain who befriend her, allowing her to come aboard and travel with them to London. There, she finds a new home in the Kew Gardens. Youngsters will be amused by the images of Borka in her handknitted sweater but also be touched by the kindness and serendipity that help her survive. As refreshing, heartfelt and entertaining as when it was first published, this picture book is a tonic for those who are convinced that the world is full of cruel, hostile individuals.

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this author/illustrator's affinity for the odd duck - or goose as in the case of Borka, born without feathers. The sweater Borka's mama knits keeps Borka warm but hampers the learning of flying and swimming. When the flock leaves in the fall Borka's adventures and new life begin.

The illustrations are loose and masterful, the text as winsomely imaginative as one expects, and the tone is absurdity as matter of fact. Don't miss the end papers.

[Adrian Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple story about a Goose who was born different finds a place to belong. This book by John Burningham is beautifully illustrated in Burninghams instantly recognisable style. The animals are anthropomorphized and emote feelings of happiness, sadness and empathy. Real places are also referenced such as Kew gardens where she eventually ends up.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

How did I not know about Borka!

So glad to have stumbled across this gorgeous picture book - John Burningham's first (of many), published in 1963 and about to celebrate its 60th anniversary!

A delightful tale of a goose without any feathers who, despite a tough start in life, eventually finds friendship and happiness.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have no idea how this came across my path, but I put it on hold. Read it to V. It's cute. Not earth-shattering. Felt like older storytelling, then noticed it's the 55th edition! So, yeah. I liked the pictures.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love John Burningham stories - lovely story about a goose being the odd one out, but ends happily ever after

[Jenna Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet

[MaryAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about being different and encountering true inclusion. The best of literature, good for all ages.

[James Warriner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book about finding your place, 8-11 years old.

[Kristal · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A simple story about a goose with no feathers finding her place in the world where she is accepted and not teased. I like the paintings too.

[Guilherme Semionato · Rating 3 out of 5]

Open Library.

[Kate Perrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

In love. Loved this sweet story. The illustrations are magical. The end papers are wonderful, too.

[Maria M-B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet children's book.

[Iain Robertson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was first published in 1963 and then re-published in 1992. This relatively simple story is about a goose (Borka) who is one of five geese born to Mr and Mrs Plumpster one spring day. However Borka is unusual in that she is born without feathers. Borka’s parents initially seem to be worried about this and call in the doctor goose to investigate. The doctor says that the only thing that can be done is for Borka’s mother to knit Borka some feathers. This turns out to be a grey woollen jersey which helps to keep Borka warm at night. However, the other young geese laugh at Borka so she does not take part in learning how to swim and fly. The story continues with the onset of winter and the Plumpster family flying off to a warmer land for the winter. Borka hides and does not go with them. She eventually finds her way onto a boat and makes friends with a dog called Fowler who introduces Borka to Captain McAllister and his mate Fred. Borka works her passage to London (she coils down rope and picks up crumbs with her beak) in return for food. When they arrive Captain McAllister puts Borka in Kew Gardens where she can live with the other geese. These geese do not mind that Borka has no feathers as there are all types of birds in the gardens and this is where the story ends.

I liked this story because it is simple enough for lower KS1 children to understand and practice their reading. The illustrations, which are also drawn by the author, show the story which makes it easy for the young reader to understand. I also liked it because it tried to convey the thought that whatever your difference you will always find friends and people that will help you.
This book is for KS1 children. It could be read to them during carpet time. It could also be read individually by children of this age group.

[Mathew · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something of a fairy-tale element attached to Burningham's first children's book and a take on the ugly duckling theme. Prior to this story being published, John had been working for magazines illustrating posters and he was just becoming familiar with the stylistics related to illustrating children's books. I think that some of this comes across in the style and standard of the writing as well as the placement of the text on each page. It's clear that he wants the pictures to work harder than the words but feels, I think, obliged to put them in. Consider how much text is in this book compared to Mr. Gumpy or Granpa.
What is its strength though is the illustrations themselves for which John won the Kate Greenway medal: I find them rich and yet accessibly childlike in their making: it is easy to lose yourself in his deep-set landscapes. My favourite image is of Borka crying in the reeds. The reflection of the clouds and sky on the algae-rich river is simply beautiful; I'm always drawn to the tiny glints of sunlight on the surface.
From the marshes of East Anglia to London's Kew Gardens, we follow Borka on her journey and she becomes segregated and separated from her family and must find her own place to nest down and start a family.
As if to reiterate this idea that we all build our stories on our own experiences and what we know, Borka herself is based on John's only surviving childhood toy called Claws Claws. Although he states that he wasn't aware of the connection when writing the book, he notes a beautifully close connection between the two characters. I think that this is something worth sharing with the children that you read this book with.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is John Burningham's first book, over fifty years old, and it won Britain's Kate Greenaway Medal for most distinguished work in children's book illustrations. It is a delightful tale of Borka, as the title tells, one of a new flock of six, but the one who had no feathers. His mother, Mrs. Plumpster, knitted him a sweater, and he was teased, and eventually, when the family flew south, he was left behind. The tale might end there, and sadly, but Borka has a life to lead and adventures to have, and he does. It's a story full of whimsey and enhanced by Burningham's beautiful illustrations.
I re-read and want to share this wonderful book again because I've loved Burningham's work for a long time, and sadly, he passed away in January. He won the Kate Greenaway Medal for British Children's Book Illustration for this book and it was his debut book! He won it one other time for my family's favorite, "Mr. Gumpy's Outing". If you don't know his work, find some of his books, which are a pleasure to read.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://openlibrary.org/works/OL18060...

Giblin Eunson Libray / Melbourne Uni.
Children’s Literature Award Winners (upper ground)

1963 Greenaway Award (for illustrations) winner.

Quite foreboding and dark illustrations for a sad story - that uplifts at the end. John Birmingham’s first picture book.