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Three Good Deeds
If Howard had known the old hag was a witch, he never would have taunted her. But he did, and she did what witches do--cursed him--and now he's a goose, which to tell you the truth, is not as serene and peaceful as it might look from the shore. People try to kill geese, for crying out loud, and the other geese are none too nice to newcomers. Howard is desperate to become a human again so he can show that old witch a thing or two.
But the only way to break the curse is to do three good deeds--and how can you help others when you've got webbed feet, wings for hands, and can't say anything but " Honk "?
But the only way to break the curse is to do three good deeds--and how can you help others when you've got webbed feet, wings for hands, and can't say anything but " Honk "?
160 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2005
16 people are currently reading
283 people want to read
About the author
Vivian Vande Velde
51 books996 followersVivian Vande Velde (born 1951, currently residing in Rochester, New York) is an American author who writes books primarily aimed at young adults.
Her novels and short story collections usually have some element of horror or fantasy, but are primarily humorous. Her book Never Trust a Dead Man (1999) received the 2000 Edgar Award for Best Young Adult Novel. She says that she really likes to write for children. She likes to do school talks to children. She does many book conventions and also gives writing classes.
Her novels and short story collections usually have some element of horror or fantasy, but are primarily humorous. Her book Never Trust a Dead Man (1999) received the 2000 Edgar Award for Best Young Adult Novel. She says that she really likes to write for children. She likes to do school talks to children. She does many book conventions and also gives writing classes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
November 9, 2016
Well, I'm a sucker for Vande Velde, especially her light juveniles. This is for the youngest independent readers, or for a classroom read-aloud, and is actually a little bit heavier & more interesting than the cover implies. Raises plenty of ideas that kids will love to discuss, such as whether or not Roscoe should have gotten punished, too, and what counts as a good deed.
Short, quick read and I highly recommend it, especially if you want a break from the intense adult BotM you've been doing. No pictures, but then, I don't think they're necessary as the author does paint effective word-pictures.
Short, quick read and I highly recommend it, especially if you want a break from the intense adult BotM you've been doing. No pictures, but then, I don't think they're necessary as the author does paint effective word-pictures.
April 3, 2016
By way of contrast to The Magic Nesting Doll, this is a fairy tale set in an unspecified place and time best classified as Middle Ages, European. Despite its setting, it feels contemporary in the lesson it is teaching about how to be a decent, empathetic human being. It's light in tone, rather snarky even, and I enjoyed it quite a bit (I identified with the witch, of course) despite not liking geese at all.
Library copy
[Yes, I'm trying to catch up on reviews, and I'm still a month behind, so there well be more glutting your feed in the near future. Or I might get to busy to breathe again and fall another month behind. The tension: will she, or won't she? I can't wait to find out.]
Library copy
[Yes, I'm trying to catch up on reviews, and I'm still a month behind, so there well be more glutting your feed in the near future. Or I might get to busy to breathe again and fall another month behind. The tension: will she, or won't she? I can't wait to find out.]
June 26, 2007
This is a silly, but fun read especially for young or reluctant readers.
February 28, 2019
This was a cute little story, one that I think intended to make kids think about the consequences of their actions and the true meaning of a good deed. In this story we have Howard, a boy who is caught by a witch doing something wrong, so she turns him into a goose and to become a boy again he has to do three good deeds. It was fun watching him try to do them and the ending was good. I think middle grade readers would enjoy reading this book.
March 1, 2019
This was probably one of my most surprising read for February. I thought it was going to be SUPER silly, but it was actually cute. Yes, it is a kids book, but the storyline was adorable and I enjoyed how the goose had to do three good deeds in order to be turned back into his human self.
August 9, 2020
Good story, but it really needed an epilogue.
November 5, 2023
A little dark, a little real, a little fairy tale, a little fun.
July 7, 2012
For my full review, please visit my website:
Three Good Deeds is a delightful tale about a boy, a witch, and a lesson. Howard tends to get others, along with himself, into trouble but the day he decided to steal a few goose eggs by the pond where the witch lived, he made a decision that would cost him more than he bargained for. It was this act that landed him on the witch’s bad list, and she promptly turned him into the object of his thieving, a goose! Lucky for Howard the witch didn’t stop there. Along with Howard’s transformation the witch informed him that he could indeed become human again if he completed three good deeds. Howard takes up the challenge and begins to look for opportunities, but to no avail…seems there is more than just doing the act, he also has to do them for the right reasons. This takes Howard on a wonderful adventure as he learns how to be a “good” boy…as a goose!
A fun and delightful book! I enjoyed reading Three Good Deeds from page one, all the way to the end. Howard made me laugh at his antics, while, in some situations, I felt sorry for his bad luck encounter. Throughout his adventures I was cheering him on and finding myself wondering if this current good deed of his would count towards the three.
Since Howard’s goal is to accomplish three good deeds, the story includes some good advice for the reader; such as being a friend, looking past people’s (or geese’s) faults, and learning how to deal with rejection. Of course some of these lessons are not easy ones to learn, disqualifying some of Howard’s “good” deeds. Luckily for him the witch is always there to clarify which deeds count and which ones were done with a selfish motive. In time Howard begins to change inside – as a person – becoming more aware of those around him, and soon his good deeds are actual good deeds!
Three Good Deeds is a delightful tale about a boy, a witch, and a lesson. Howard tends to get others, along with himself, into trouble but the day he decided to steal a few goose eggs by the pond where the witch lived, he made a decision that would cost him more than he bargained for. It was this act that landed him on the witch’s bad list, and she promptly turned him into the object of his thieving, a goose! Lucky for Howard the witch didn’t stop there. Along with Howard’s transformation the witch informed him that he could indeed become human again if he completed three good deeds. Howard takes up the challenge and begins to look for opportunities, but to no avail…seems there is more than just doing the act, he also has to do them for the right reasons. This takes Howard on a wonderful adventure as he learns how to be a “good” boy…as a goose!
A fun and delightful book! I enjoyed reading Three Good Deeds from page one, all the way to the end. Howard made me laugh at his antics, while, in some situations, I felt sorry for his bad luck encounter. Throughout his adventures I was cheering him on and finding myself wondering if this current good deed of his would count towards the three.
Since Howard’s goal is to accomplish three good deeds, the story includes some good advice for the reader; such as being a friend, looking past people’s (or geese’s) faults, and learning how to deal with rejection. Of course some of these lessons are not easy ones to learn, disqualifying some of Howard’s “good” deeds. Luckily for him the witch is always there to clarify which deeds count and which ones were done with a selfish motive. In time Howard begins to change inside – as a person – becoming more aware of those around him, and soon his good deeds are actual good deeds!
November 28, 2011
Books by
Vivian Vande Velde
THREE GOOD DEEDS
MY SISTER ALISON, WHO MOVED AWAY
I read this 160 page book in one sitting during a sleepless night. I was angry at Howard then my heart went out to him at time. The book did end abrubtly but then I think that was the only real way the author could have ended it. This is one offers a good opportunity for discussion. Jo
Ages 8-12
Howard is a mischievous boy who, along with his friends, likes to pull pranks on the villagers of Dumphrey's Mill. Their latest victim is the supposed old witch who lives by Goose Pond. They find the elderly lady strange due to the fact that she lives on her own and tends to a flock of geese that live on the pond. They do mean things like tease the geese and steal their eggs. When Howard decides to steal from a nest one day, he is caught red-handed and accidentally breaks a couple of the eggs.
Fed up with the boy's antics, the old witch turns Howard into a goose! Howard understandably panics and tries to call for help, but realizes unfortunately that only the witch and her gaggle of geese can understand him. The witch tells the goose-boy that in order to redeem himself and be turned back, he must accomplish three good deeds. Howard thinks that the situation is silly, but quickly realizes the benefits (and disadvantages) of being a goose. From complimenting one of his new feathered friends to escaping poultry-hungry villagers, Howard discovers the person or goose he's meant to be.
Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle (SdarksideG@aol.com)
February 21, 2009
Howard seems always to have some kind of mischief up his sleeve and he can always find a ready excuse for not taking the blame--especially if someone else has gotten caught--even if that someone is his best friend. This dubious talent has kept him out of trouble for the most part--until he pulls one prank too many on the old woman at the goose pond. She seems able to see right through all of his ploys--and doesn't fall for any of them. Undaunted, Howard insults her--after all, he and the other children have taunted her all these years, calling her an old witch and making fun of her walk and her devotion to the geese at the pond. Imagine Howard's surprise when the the old woman turns HIM into a goose--feathers and all. The only way for Howard to ever regain his true form is for him to perform three good deeds. Piece of cake, right? Not exactly. Will he be able to convince anyone that he's a boy, not a goose? Can he figure out what makes a good deed good? Does he get eaten or does he learn the difference between being selfish and selfless? To find out, read Three Good Deeds by Vivian Vande Velde.
NOTE to Librarians and Teachers: I've had great success getting interest in this book by just reading aloud the first two chapters. So far, every time I've done this, several students have put their names on the reserve list for this title.
Grades 3-5.
NOTE to Librarians and Teachers: I've had great success getting interest in this book by just reading aloud the first two chapters. So far, every time I've done this, several students have put their names on the reserve list for this title.
Grades 3-5.
January 5, 2010
Howard is a mischievous boy who, along with his friends, likes to pull pranks on the villagers of Dumphrey's Mill. Their latest victim is the supposed old witch who lives by Goose Pond. They find the elderly lady strange due to the fact that she lives on her own and tends to a flock of geese that live on the pond. They do mean things like tease the geese and steal their eggs. When Howard decides to steal from a nest one day, he is caught red-handed and accidentally breaks a couple of the eggs.
Fed up with the boy's antics, the old witch turns Howard into a goose! Howard understandably panics and tries to call for help, but realizes unfortunately that only the witch and her gaggle of geese can understand him. The witch tells the goose-boy that in order to redeem himself and be turned back, he must accomplish three good deeds. Howard thinks that the situation is silly, but quickly realizes the benefits (and disadvantages) of being a goose. From complimenting one of his new feathered friends to escaping poultry-hungry villagers, Howard discovers the person or goose he's meant to be.
Fed up with the boy's antics, the old witch turns Howard into a goose! Howard understandably panics and tries to call for help, but realizes unfortunately that only the witch and her gaggle of geese can understand him. The witch tells the goose-boy that in order to redeem himself and be turned back, he must accomplish three good deeds. Howard thinks that the situation is silly, but quickly realizes the benefits (and disadvantages) of being a goose. From complimenting one of his new feathered friends to escaping poultry-hungry villagers, Howard discovers the person or goose he's meant to be.
June 17, 2011
Howard should not have teased the witch, but he did, and she turned him into a goose. To reverse the spell, he must do 3 good deeds -- which is not easy for a goose....and especially not easy for Howard in the best of circumstances! At the beginning of this book for 3rd to 5th graders, the reader is amused, and feels that Howard's punishment is appropriate. His best friend chases him away -- after all, he is just a goose, and an annoying one, at that.
But the story becomes sad and pathetic as days and weeks and months go by, and Howard is still a goose. His parents search, grieving, for Howard, never realizing that the flapping goose in the neighborhood is their son. As the witch keeps an eye on him, Howard wonders if he will ever get home.
A rather depressing tale, and not a satisfying ending. Of course, part of the problem is that I am a parent, and hate to think of the desperation I would feel if one of my children disappeared. Perhaps children reading this would not worry about the parents' emotions.
But the story becomes sad and pathetic as days and weeks and months go by, and Howard is still a goose. His parents search, grieving, for Howard, never realizing that the flapping goose in the neighborhood is their son. As the witch keeps an eye on him, Howard wonders if he will ever get home.
A rather depressing tale, and not a satisfying ending. Of course, part of the problem is that I am a parent, and hate to think of the desperation I would feel if one of my children disappeared. Perhaps children reading this would not worry about the parents' emotions.
January 5, 2010
When Howard tries to steal the eggs that were just laid near Goose Pond, he is caught by the old woman who protects them. She seems to be a witch, but Howard has no reason to believe this is true until she turns him into a goose in order to teach him a lesson. The only way in which he can reverse the curse is to perform three good deeds, which is much harder than he first suspects.
Vande Velde uses her usual subtle humor to show what it might be like to be a boy stuck in a goose's body. Kids will get a kick out of seeing how Howard goes about getting his deeds accomplished; nothing happens the way he thinks it will.
I like this book a lot, I kept looking what was going to happen next and then next.
Vande Velde uses her usual subtle humor to show what it might be like to be a boy stuck in a goose's body. Kids will get a kick out of seeing how Howard goes about getting his deeds accomplished; nothing happens the way he thinks it will.
I like this book a lot, I kept looking what was going to happen next and then next.
April 6, 2008
***children's book---I was looking for a interesting read out loud for my next reading class. THe title interested me because I always look for something to entertain or inspire students. This one fell a little short.
To be specific: A boy is turned into a goose by a witch and has to do three good deeds in order to turn back into a goose. It got a little depressing. He did two deeds then the witch dies. He expects to stay a goose forever. His last unsurprising deed is to cover the dead witch up and that was his 3rd and final deed to break the spell. He doesn't even seem to learn much from the lesson. Boring. Usually this author has much more adventure in her plot.
To be specific: A boy is turned into a goose by a witch and has to do three good deeds in order to turn back into a goose. It got a little depressing. He did two deeds then the witch dies. He expects to stay a goose forever. His last unsurprising deed is to cover the dead witch up and that was his 3rd and final deed to break the spell. He doesn't even seem to learn much from the lesson. Boring. Usually this author has much more adventure in her plot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2008
When Howard steals goose eggs, an old witch teaches him a lesson by turning him into a goose. In order to resume his human shape, Howard must perform three good deeds. But which three? And how come what counted as a good deed yesterday doesn't seem to work today? Howard worries that he might remain a goose for the rest of his life.
This fresh fairy tale delightfully illustrates the golden rule while celebrating the inner life of geese, whose names are as hilarious as they are descriptive.
Some readers may object to the ending, but I think Vande Velde got it just right. A honkin' good read, with lots of humor and unexpected poignancy, for ages 8 and up.
This fresh fairy tale delightfully illustrates the golden rule while celebrating the inner life of geese, whose names are as hilarious as they are descriptive.
Some readers may object to the ending, but I think Vande Velde got it just right. A honkin' good read, with lots of humor and unexpected poignancy, for ages 8 and up.
October 22, 2009
10/21/09 This was a refreshing read after the short kids books I've been reading with Annabelle. But she didn't seem to care for it too much. She told me at the end that she didn't like that Howard was turned into a goose. And since that's what the book was about, she didn't care about it too much. This one also went over her head a lot more. (Imagine that! She is only 3 after all!) I did like it though. I thought it would be an excellent read for a teacher. There are a lot of great writing prompts that could come at the end of some chapters. What Three Good Deeds would YOU try to do? What would you do if a witch turned you into a goose? Etc.
October 8, 2012
This is an interesting tale that teaches of morality and good intentions, the impact of poor decisions, and the goodness of being kind and doing good deeds. I like that the witch makes the point that it is important to do good deeds for the right reasons. Howard learns that we should help others to show kindness and be a good citizen, not just for our own benefit. I also like that he learned that having good intentions is not the same a doing a good deed.
Overall, I thought this was an entertaining story, with a good message. I read this book on our IPad with our oldest while our youngest daughter was away at a sleepover.
Overall, I thought this was an entertaining story, with a good message. I read this book on our IPad with our oldest while our youngest daughter was away at a sleepover.
December 15, 2009
I read this book to my class this year. Loved the premise - Howard is a boy who doesn't always consider others' feelings, and when he taunts an old witch she turns him into a goose. The only way for Howard to break the curse and become a boy again is to do three good deeds.
Overall, I was a bit disappointed in the execution of the idea. It fit in very well with our second grade kindness projects, and was a good read aloud in conjunction with those. I just wish the writing had been more compelling and engaging, but will probably read it again to second graders.
Overall, I was a bit disappointed in the execution of the idea. It fit in very well with our second grade kindness projects, and was a good read aloud in conjunction with those. I just wish the writing had been more compelling and engaging, but will probably read it again to second graders.
November 12, 2009
I grabbed this off the library shelf because it was short and it was next to the other Vivian Vande Velde books I was checking out at the same time.
I usually tend to like these types of children books but this book failed to keep my interest and attention. I think I was just expecting more for the three deeds Howard had to perform. There's nothing extraordinary about this book but I'm sure it's entertaining enough for elementary school children.
I usually tend to like these types of children books but this book failed to keep my interest and attention. I think I was just expecting more for the three deeds Howard had to perform. There's nothing extraordinary about this book but I'm sure it's entertaining enough for elementary school children.
April 26, 2016
Just finished reading this book with my students. It was a fun book with good life lessons from a boy who had been turned into a goose! It was easy to read and the class and myself enjoyed it. It is difficult to find books that the majority of the class will enjoy, but this one was a good choice. Has serious moments, fun moments and very teachable moments!
Great pick for a group or classroom read!!!
Great pick for a group or classroom read!!!
January 24, 2010
Bad boy gets turned into a goose by a neighborhood witch and is only released from the spell after he performs three good deeds.
Grades 2-4 would probably really enjoy this (I know a couple of teachers who have used it as their class read). I wasn't able to finally be convinced of a changed boy in the end but I don't think kids would get hung up on this!
Grades 2-4 would probably really enjoy this (I know a couple of teachers who have used it as their class read). I wasn't able to finally be convinced of a changed boy in the end but I don't think kids would get hung up on this!
February 16, 2011
Cute little story that reads like a fairytale - maybe a little bit too straight-forward and predictable for my liking but nevertheless a really nice read. A mischievous boy gets turned into a goose by a witch and his only chance of becoming a boy again is to do three good deeds. I could imagine that this book might make a good read-aloud with younger students.
November 18, 2011
I thought most of this was actually quite charming, but then the story was really stretched out until the third good deed. I also found the end kind of disturbing and morbid, but since it's supposed to be somewhat of a fairy tale, I have to remind myself that MOST children's fairy tales are in fact disturbing and morbid.
December 14, 2010
This book was funny and teaches a leason. Its about this boy named Howard who tries to steal goose eggs. But a witch catches him so he gets turned into a goose. He must do 3 good deeds. Will he do these 3 deeds.
August 24, 2011
I think this book is good because it was funny. It was funny because a person a kid into a goose. If the boy wants to by a boy again he has to complete three good deeds.At the end he turned into a boy again. The person who turned him into the goose died at the end.
March 7, 2009
Funny, short, good for 4th grade readers. More for the fans of talking animal books than fans of fantasy adventures.
May 28, 2009
this book is about a boy who is very mean and turns in to a goose. To turn back in to human, what will he do? He has to complete three good deeds. ENJOY!
November 24, 2009
Definitely a book for younger readers. Good discussion on what a good deed my be.
March 28, 2010
I can't remember why, but I remember not liking the ending when I read it back in Nov. The rest was ok.
April 20, 2010
Youger book than her usual books. Fun light humor fantasy. Been awhile since I read it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews