An unhatched gosling plays hard to get in this board book version of a story from Olivier Dunrea's beloved children's series. Willful little Ollie refuses to leave his egg, much to the exasperation of Gossie and Gertie, two adorable goslings in galoshes who are impatiently awaiting his arrival. Repeating his mantra, "I won't come out," Ollie rolls all around the barnyard, leading his feathered friends on a merry chase -- until a neat piece of reverse psychology finally coaxes him from his shell. Dunrea's irresistible illustrations and the book's small format (perfect for little hands) make this sweet and silly tale a candidate for repeated "readings."
Publishers Weekly
In this pair of winsome, small-format follow-ups to Gossie and Gossie & Gertie, Dunrea introduces yet another endearing gosling-but the introduction takes some pleasantly paced time. Or rather, Ollie, whom Dunrea introduces in the first tale as an egg, takes his time hatching, much to the chagrin of the impatient Gossie and Gertie. "This is Ollie./ Ollie is waiting." As the egg rolls to the left and rolls to the right, Ollie's stubborn voice from within the shell repeatedly and humorously insists, "I won't come out!"-a refrain that youngsters will eagerly echo. After chasing the rolling egg and even perching atop it, Gossie and Gertie offer some sage advice to Ollie ("Don't come out"), which of course triggers the much-anticipated hatching; Ollie, wearing a piece of the cracked eggshell on his head, pops up and announces "I'm out!" Fans of the books that introduced Gossie and Gertie will recognize the newcomer's behavior in the second story: he follows in his pals' tracks as they tromp, stomp, romp and jump, wearing their brightly colored rubber boots. When he shouts, "I want boots!" Gossie gives him one of her red boots and Gertie hands over a blue boot. But Dunrea establishes Ollie as his own man when he adds a twist to the proceedings. With their simple watercolors and narrative, along with diminutive heroes who assert a budding independence, these tales demonstrate once again how well their creator knows his audience. Ages 2-5. (Aug.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 1-No matter how Gossie and Gertie egg him on, a stubborn gosling refuses to hatch, until his would-be friends sit on his shell and feign indifference. An exuberant match of playful artwork and endearing characters. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
Dunrea's group of cleanly attractive mini-volumes featuring gosling friends Gossie and Gertie grows by two. Gossie and Gertie gain a new friend in Ollie, who at first appears as just an egg, hilariously introduced in deadpan prose: "This is Ollie." Ollie stubbornly refuses to come out, despite Gossie and Gertie's exhortations. In true toddler fashion, as soon as Gossie and Gertie tell Ollie NOT to come out, he at last emerges. Ollie's story continues in Ollie the Stomper (ISBN 0-619-33830-2), when he follows Gossie and Gertie around and wishes he had boots like theirs, just as little siblings have always done. Dunrea's keen awareness of young children's concerns and quirks translates into charmingly simple illustrations and text. Plenty of white space reinforces the simplicity and keeps the focus on the appealing goslings; the large typeface and small trim size make these volumes especially appropriate for the youngest audience. (Picture book. 2-4)
From the Publisher
Dunrea successfully adds to the ‘Gossie and Gertie’ cast with these endearing tales.” School Library Journal, Starred
“With their simple watercolors and narrative, along with diminutive heroes who assert a budding independence, these tales demonstrate once again how well their creator knows his audience.” Publishers Weekly, Starred
"Pre-schoolers will relate to Ollie's point of view and delight in his humorous reactions to the new world he's discovering." Booklist, ALA
“Dunrea’s keen awareness of young children’s concerns and quirks translates into charmingly simple illustrations and text.” Kirkus Reviews
"Dunrea's text...is packed with toddler-sized drama, and Gossie and Gertie easily assume the roles of older sisters dealing with a pesky but beloved younger brother." Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"...the geese tromp, stomp, romp and jump around the farmyard in a way that is quite satisfying when read aloud." The New York Times Book Review —
