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Goose and Bear Stories
Oh! What a Surprise!
With her trademark simplicity and humor, Suzanne Bloom shows children once again what it means to be a true friend with this new and utterly charming Goose and Bear—and Fox!—story.
Fox loves surprises! When she discovers Goose and Bear making gifts, she hopes that one of the presents is for her. But what if it isn't? Even though hope may turn to disappointment, nothing can stop Fox from making her own spectacular surprise for Goose and Bear. In the end, Fox is overjoyed to find she hasn't been forgotten after all.
Fox loves surprises! When she discovers Goose and Bear making gifts, she hopes that one of the presents is for her. But what if it isn't? Even though hope may turn to disappointment, nothing can stop Fox from making her own spectacular surprise for Goose and Bear. In the end, Fox is overjoyed to find she hasn't been forgotten after all.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2012
1 person is currently reading
55 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
July 22, 2020
Goose and Bear are making surprises. Fox MUST know what they are. When Goose and Bear don't share their surprises, Fox decides to make his own. All of the friends will find out their surprises! Adorable story for the very young could be used as reminder to be patient, or for just fun and finding little hints in the illustrations to figure out what the surprises are.
July 29, 2015
Sweet - great pictures
November 22, 2018
I think this would be fun to pair with Thank You, Mr Panda and see what the kids think of them.
July 18, 2019
A very short picture book, nice for kids with small attention spans. However the story didn't excite me much. The little fox is probably supposed to be like a little impatient toddler, but he came across as annoying. Ok, but not for me.
March 10, 2018
This is a gorgeous book. Poor fox feeling left out. A lovely ending though.
December 12, 2019
This was a fun read
January 21, 2021
I love how this book shows that some people like surprises and some people don't. But how we all love to feel loved. And how gifts help us feel loved.
December 2, 2013
This book is one in Suzanne Bloom’s famous Goose and Bear Stories series. Each of the volumes in the series deals with some aspect of friendship. Goose and Bear Stories are good to read out loud to preschool children. The simple and rhythmically repeated sentences portray young children’s emotions vividly. This book presents both the delights and the challenges of friendship.
Fox visits Bear and finds him busy making a gift. Fox hopes that the present is for him. He tries to assure Bear that Goose doesn't like surprises. Fox finds Goose also making a surprise gift for Bear but not for him.
The story is simple, and the pastel illustrations on each page create warm and charming effect. Illustration enhanced the story by providing extra information about what three characters are making for surprise, which is not in the text. In this exciting tale about surprises and gifts, there is a hope and disappointment.
Fox visits Bear and finds him busy making a gift. Fox hopes that the present is for him. He tries to assure Bear that Goose doesn't like surprises. Fox finds Goose also making a surprise gift for Bear but not for him.
The story is simple, and the pastel illustrations on each page create warm and charming effect. Illustration enhanced the story by providing extra information about what three characters are making for surprise, which is not in the text. In this exciting tale about surprises and gifts, there is a hope and disappointment.
October 27, 2012
A little fox wants to know what Bear is making. "Is it for me? If it's for me, it's too long!" When Bear answers that it isn't for Fox the response of "Oh. That's OK." shows that Fox is pretty disappointed that the surprise isn't for him. And no more luck with the surprise Goose was making. So Fox makes a surprise for Bear and Goose. Of course Bear and Goose were thinking about Fox as well, they just were very good at keeping their surprise secrets.
I liked how this showed how Fox decided to make a surprise for others when he didn't think he would get one. I also liked how Bear and Goose were really thinking of everyone when they were making their gifts. The text is also pretty short, with lots of wintery-gift-giving illustrations that will make this a good generic holiday read.
I liked how this showed how Fox decided to make a surprise for others when he didn't think he would get one. I also liked how Bear and Goose were really thinking of everyone when they were making their gifts. The text is also pretty short, with lots of wintery-gift-giving illustrations that will make this a good generic holiday read.
October 30, 2012
A bear and a goose who, like any adults confronted with an exuberant young fox cub, can be both patient and a little perturbed. A nice range of emotions here, hinted at in both the spare text and in the strong clear illustrations...Bloom does a whole lot with body language and for such simple arrangements of eyes, brows, and noses, there's a great clarity of facial expressions. Love that Fox comes up with an age-appropriate solution for herself. And I *ALSO* love that this is a gift-giving story WITHOUT Christmas-y wrapping paper. THANK YOU.
We don't have ANY of the other Bear & Goose books at my library; I just put them all on hold to have a look.
We don't have ANY of the other Bear & Goose books at my library; I just put them all on hold to have a look.
December 28, 2015
Nice non-specific Winter Holiday book about giving and receiving gifts. Fox is an exuberant (but polite!) toddler who is fascinated with the prospect of getting a "surprise" gift. When he is told that neither gift he sees the adults working on is for him, he makes the lovely choice of making a toddler-appropriate gift for them. Of course, he gets a gift too, in the end.
Bloom is a master of expressing emotion and story through her characters' body language and facial expressions.
Bloom is a master of expressing emotion and story through her characters' body language and facial expressions.
October 31, 2012
Fox is curious when she sees her friends, Goose and Bear, making presents and hopes that one of them might be for her, but then she worries that they might not be making anything for her and decides to make her own gifts for Goose and Bear.
Subjects
Gifts -- Juvenile fiction.
Bears -- Juvenile fiction
Geese -- Juvenile fiction.
Foxes -- Juvenile fiction
November 1, 2012
Another sweet and tender story by Suzanne Bloom (author of A Splendid Friend, Indeed). Fox loves surprises! Is Bear wrapping a present for him? Fox loves surprises! Is Goose wrapping a present for him? Fox will make his own surprise and it will be spectacular! Good for read-alouds.
February 22, 2015
This Book is about a little fox who thinks his bear and goose friend are both making him surprises. They both tell him they aren’t so he decides to make his own surprise.This is a very silly and cute book with adorable illustrations to match. This would be a great book during Christmas or birthday celebrations.
October 23, 2012
Good choice for Toddler Time about surprises, giving gifts. Could also be a good choice for the holidays (though not a holiday book), winter and clothing (the gifts were a scarf, mittens and a sweater).
January 10, 2013
Love the friendship stories of Suzanne Bloom. This is a great PreK-K book for a read aloud session. Heck, I'd read all the bear, goose, fox stories at once. They are great discussion starters and the illustrations are simply charming.
July 11, 2016
A fox is super excited by what a bear and goose are making and just can't wait for the surprise. Maybe toddler level. Heavy on pictures and light on text. This book had a lot of enthusiasm but I had to go back to understand the ending.
September 25, 2012
Love this illustrator! Very sweet for younger ones.
November 25, 2014
A simple story with the three characters bear, goose, and fox giving gifts to each other.
October 6, 2012
The charming Goose and Bear return in a story about gift giving.
October 16, 2012
Beautifully illustrated and simple book about giving gifts and sharing what you make with others. Could be for holidays or just to read anytime.
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October 19, 2012great holiday and giving book
May 2, 2013
The animals look so fuzzy and cuddly!
October 27, 2012
nice book to teach about selfishness.
October 30, 2012
Cute...just not my favorite.
November 28, 2018
A fun Christmas read-a loud for preschool.
December 9, 2012
Five stars for making me smile with surprise at the well-crafted simple text and the marvelous subtle facial expressions of the characters.
December 15, 2012
My favorite group of mismatched friends celebrates Christmas.
by Chrissy
I like that the fox was the present in the story. By Katie
by Chrissy
I like that the fox was the present in the story. By Katie
December 17, 2012
Who doesn't like surprises? Well sometimes surprises are not so nice, but in the book they are.
Almost Christmasie, but not quite. Lovely illustrations.
Almost Christmasie, but not quite. Lovely illustrations.
January 30, 2013
her books are always a treasure. friends make presents for each other but, as always, they treasure their friends more than anything else.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews