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Honk, Honk, Goose!: Canada Geese Start a Family
Apair of Canada geese is starting a family. The female builds a nest, lays her eggs, and keeps the chicks warm until they're ready to hatch. Her mate protects their nesting site. Soon they will have six wobbly-legged chicks. Through the waiting, the hatching, the first stroll, and the first swim, the father goose stands guard over his family, always ready to chase away danger with a loud Honk !
32 pages, Hardcover
First published April 14, 2009
1 person is currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
April Pulley Sayre
106 books105 followersApril Pulley Sayre was an award-winning children’s book author of over 55 natural history books for children and adults. Her read-aloud nonfiction books, known for their lyricism and scientific precision, have been translated into French, Dutch, Japanese, and Korean. She is best known for pioneering literary ways to immerse young readers in natural events via creative storytelling and unusual perspectives.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 2, 2013
Informative and entertaining, with illustrations that will appeal to young children, this is a good book for introducing children to the life cycle of geese. The cut paper collage illustrations are very nicely detailed and provide interesting texture to the illustrations.
I really liked the author's note at the end of the book that expands on the information provided in the narrative.
I really liked the author's note at the end of the book that expands on the information provided in the narrative.
May 10, 2009
Two Canada geese meet, mate, and raise their chicks together in this picture book. Honk, Honk, Goose presents sound information about Canada geese in a friendly way. Simple language, paired with repetition (the honking of the male goose as he chases everyone and everything out of his territory), make this accessible and fun for young readers. Huy Voun Lee’s paper-cut illustrations really capture the look and character of the geese, and they practically honk, hiss, threaten and waddle right off the pages. More information about Canada geese and their families is included for kids who are interested in learning more about them. This was a really outstanding introduction to Canada geese. The only thing I wanted to see and didn’t, was mention of goose chicks being called “goslings.”
April 26, 2017
I just love books where I can learn something I never knew before. In this case, I didn't know that Canada geese mate for life. There are Canada geese all around where I live, yet I never knew much about their life cycle until now. The simple text makes easy reading for elementary age children, with additional information in the back for more advanced readers. I wish I'd had this book on me the day I encountered a family from Africa on campus who asked me about those honking birds flying overhead. I enjoyed telling them what I knew, but could have told them so much more and showed them with this book. Recommended for anyone in the U.S. or Canada, where these geese make their homes!
April 16, 2010
Accessible story of a single Canada Goose family does not shy away from the dangers that geese and their brood face (raccoons and other predators). Written by April Pulley Sayre, author of _Vulture View_, and ALA Notable Book and a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book; and _Stars Beneath Your Bed: the Surprising Story of Dust_, also an ALA Notable Book, and an SLJ Best Books of the Year listee. The lively paper-cut collage illustrations by Huy Voun Lee are colorful and appealing.
June 27, 2009
Non-fiction in a story form. The art is clear and sharp--not perfectly detailed, realistic Jim Arnosky like art, but the sort of bright, accessible art that will engage kids. The prose will hold them too--it's information, but told in a story form--and they will love watching the male goose fiercely chasing away squirrels, other geese, etc and probably join in with his honking!
April 13, 2023
I just find it fascinating that up until two years ago I didn't know they were called Canada Geese instead of Canadian Geese.
September 7, 2016
Worldview - Universally Acceptable
Location - Canada Time Period - Current
Review
Although the timeline given in this book implies that this pair of geese are living in the Northern United States as it is essentially a non-fiction book in narrative form telling the about the life cycle of geese it seems appropriate to include here.
The story follows a mating pair of geese as they meet, mate, find a nesting site and raise their young. The story tells of dangers to the geese, like a raccoon who steels an egg. It also explains how the male goose will protect his mate and young.
The heavy use of onomatopoeia make this a perfect read aloud for young children. It is important to note however that some parents may feel unprepared for the questions the line “Then they mated” may raise.
The paper cut art work is crisp, clear and bright. It is well designed and large enough to use effectively in a large group setting.
There is a wonderful appendices containing a wealth of information on Canadian Geese including migrating habits and the fact that they were once a threatened species.
Teacher Application
A handy tool to teach children the life cycle of the Canada Goose.
As some parents may be uncomfortable with the mating reference it would be very easy to omit only that sentence:
“Stretch, curve, their necks danced. Then they mated. Splash, Splash, they took baths.”
Replace with:
“Stretch, curve, their necks danced. Splash, Splash, they took baths.”
Parental Warning
The book states “Then they mated.” see teacher application.
Location - Canada Time Period - Current
Review
Although the timeline given in this book implies that this pair of geese are living in the Northern United States as it is essentially a non-fiction book in narrative form telling the about the life cycle of geese it seems appropriate to include here.
The story follows a mating pair of geese as they meet, mate, find a nesting site and raise their young. The story tells of dangers to the geese, like a raccoon who steels an egg. It also explains how the male goose will protect his mate and young.
The heavy use of onomatopoeia make this a perfect read aloud for young children. It is important to note however that some parents may feel unprepared for the questions the line “Then they mated” may raise.
The paper cut art work is crisp, clear and bright. It is well designed and large enough to use effectively in a large group setting.
There is a wonderful appendices containing a wealth of information on Canadian Geese including migrating habits and the fact that they were once a threatened species.
Teacher Application
A handy tool to teach children the life cycle of the Canada Goose.
As some parents may be uncomfortable with the mating reference it would be very easy to omit only that sentence:
“Stretch, curve, their necks danced. Then they mated. Splash, Splash, they took baths.”
Replace with:
“Stretch, curve, their necks danced. Splash, Splash, they took baths.”
Parental Warning
The book states “Then they mated.” see teacher application.
January 18, 2014
I enjoy books written by this author because she is usually so careful with her word choice, making sure to select words and phrases that bring to mind the flora and fauna she is describing. She certainly doesn't disappoint me in this book as I can hear that father goose loudly honking and hissing to frighten away intruders from the nest and the young that he and his mate are trying to raise. The book follows his courtship rituals as he clears the field of just about every other goose and then eventually describes how the goslings--she calls them chicks--head to the water for a swim. The cut-paper collage illustrations work very well here as they allow the features of the geese wings and those long necks to be particularly noticeable. My favorite page is the last one in which the father goose appears to be looking straight at each of us. The informative back matter provides additional reading about geese, including those that migrate long distances and resident geese. This is a good choice for writing examples as well as a fine selection for a science classroom.
July 29, 2015
This is a nonfiction account of a mating pair of Canada Geese going through mating season, egg laying, and chick raising. It's a simple text, but one that you can learn a surprising amount from. I was impressed with the book as whole. Sayre uses onomatopoeia effectively throughout the book not only to describe the male role in goose rearing, but also to give the text a nearly poetic structure. The end notes thoroughly describe the data the author gathered but didn't work into the story itself. By the time you're done, you know all you want to know and more about geese, unless you're a professional ornithologist. Really a solid piece of writing, the kind that most children could handle, but that could be used to glean an in-depth perspective if that's what is called for.
March 28, 2012
Non-fiction in story form. Tells all about a Canadian Geese that start a family, how they have to sit on the nest, protect the eggs, and discusses bird behavior. This would be a good book to read to begin a lesson on birds. Good for 1st-3rd grade.
July 17, 2012
Little Miss really enjoyed this book. It's a very simple story about a goose who Honk, Honk, Honk!s to protect his female and her babies. She liked the noises and the baby geese. She requested it often.
April 30, 2009
This starts out a little bit like a science lesson but then you start to like the family and enjoy the story. Would be nice for a teacher introducing the process of an egg to their class. Ages 4+
May 4, 2009
A book about Canadian Geese, and how they start and raise a family. Also a book about why Canadian Geese are scary, and you probably shouldn't go near them.
August 4, 2009
Informative about goose behavior. Why do I hesitate about the one brief statement on mating ("Then they mated.")? Would this be useful in the school curriculum?
March 3, 2010
A simpler story for younger readers with more extensive information at the end for the curious. A fine introduction.
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March 13, 2010Themes: geese, goose family, geese babies
November 10, 2013
Grades K-2. Fun narrative nonfiction book about a canada goose. This would be perfect for our school's bird unit!
June 5, 2014
Lovely book about Canadian geese!
November 1, 2015
Great as a living book
February 19, 2019
A good life cycle book about geese
March 1, 2019
Eh! Did nothing for me. I actually skimmed it and really did not pay attention to what I was reading. There are definitely better non-fiction books on this subject.
July 30, 2020
Book about a pair of geese from courtship to their goslings' first flight.
December 8, 2020
I liked the illustrations and the overall idea but I didn’t love reading the text aloud.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews