Here Comes Gosling!

by Sandy Asher, Keith Graves (Illustrator)

Froggie can’t wait to meet Goose and Gander’s new baby, Gosling! He and Rabbit spend all day they bake a cake, toss a salad, and find the perfect picnic spot. Froggie picks out his favorite toys and books to share and even makes up a new song. But when Gosling finally arrives, she takes one look at Froggie and…HOOOOOOONK! Froggie doesn’t know what to do! Gosling’s not tired or hungry or thirsty, but she keeps crying anyway. Gander and Goose can’t console her. Neither can Rabbit. Just when all seems hopeless, Froggie’s natural charm and great silliness turn Gosling’s tears into smiles and her honks into giggles.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 14, 2009

About the author

Sandy Asher, a playwright and children's author, is probably best known for her young-adult novels and other prose works for young readers. Drawing many of the ideas and characters for her writings from her childhood memories, Asher has earned critical praise and numerous awards for novels such as Just like Jenny, Things Are Seldom What They Seem, and Everything Is Not Enough. In addition to fiction, Asher has also edited the story collections On Her Way: Stories and Poems about Growing up Girl and the award-winning With All My Heart, with All My Mind: Thirteen Stories about Growing up Jewish, which collect works that address many of the same adolescent concerns Asher confronts in her fiction.

Reviews

[Caroline Downer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of "Here Comes Gosling" is a cute story about the trouble young children may have with understanding babies. It is also the story of the bond that can be formed between young children and a newborn. Daddy Gander and mommy Goose come to visit Rabbit and Froggie with their new baby Gosling. Before they arrive, Rabbit and Froggie prepare all morning long! Rabbit is being logistical about everything such as planning the picnic meal, picking flowers, and cleaning up. Froggie is just too excited to wait for the baby to come! He makes up a song that helps him pass the time. When the Gosling arrives with his mommy and daddy, he lets out a "HONK!" This honk scares Froggie because he thinks that the baby doesn't like him. No one can understand why the baby is honking(crying). Froggie eventually finds himself singing the song from earlier in the day and playing with his toy froggie. The baby Gosling hears him and sees him and is soothed and begins to smile. Froggie is allowed to hold the baby Gosling and everyone enjoys the picnic and each other's company. The illustrations in this book are very colorful and exciting! They take up the whole page and the words are written in the corners or at the very top or bottom of the page, as not to take the focus away from the artwork. The greatest parts of the illustrations are of Froggie waiting for baby Gosling. He has such excitement building up, and his face shows it. He cannot wait! I think this is a great book to read to a brand new big brother or sister. It would be very relatable and help them adjust to the new member of the family!

[Mhm Storytelling · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows a dog and rabbit expecting company. They plan a picnic for their guests and prepare. Finally baby Gosling and her family arrive.

Themes/topics: picnics, having guests, patience, excitement

Red Flags: It is a little longer than some children's books but not too bad.

Opportunity for interaction:
Pretend to knock on the door, pick flowers, slice, stir, frost a cake, eat at a picnic.

What would you pack on a picnic? Why do you think Gosling is crying?

[Jodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Froggie and Rabbit are excited to meet Gosling and make plans for a special visit. Froggie is a bit nervous and scared when gosling arrives and cries and thinks the baby does not like him. Lots of expression in the illustrations that clearly show how each character is feeling. Froggie overcomes his fear and a fun day is had by all.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute, but not exceptional, book about meeting a new baby. How exciting it is for little kids to see even younger babies, and how it seems like they don't like you because they cry when they see you.

[Edna · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Froggie finally meets the new gosling baby, all she does is HONNNNNNNNNNNK! really, really loud; everyone suggests a reason why she's howling, but only Froggie discovers how to make her stop. Ironically, the odd-faced animals are just as exaggerated as the gosling's cry.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rabbit announces to Froggie one morning that Gander and Goose are visiting with their new baby Gosling. Froggie is jumpy with excitement until they arrive and the baby won't stop his honking hollering.

[Tricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

great illustrations but oh so many words tell the story of the arrival of baby gosling and the impression made on froggie and rabbit. ending is somewhat predictable but cute nonetheless.

[Tina B · Rating 3 out of 5]

"frogs, geese, tantrum, playdate, waiting, playing with a baby"

[Kristie · Rating 3 out of 5]

May work well for introducing a child to a new sibling.

[Marissa Elera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny, good for storytime.