What do you think?
Rate this book
Duck & Goose #3
Duck & Goose Go to the Beach
Take a trip to the beach with the beloved, classic, and New York Times –bestselling feathered friends Duck & Goose! Now an animated series, available to stream on Apple TV+!
Duck wants to go on an adventure. But Goose isn't so sure. Together, the two best friends set off on a walk that takes them through the meadow, past a shady thicket, and over a distant hill, all the way to a place they've never been before—the beach! Turns out, Goose loves the ocean. But guess who doesn't?
“Charming, funny, simple, and surprising. . . . Hills is master of the light comic touch.” — The Boston Globe
Duck wants to go on an adventure. But Goose isn't so sure. Together, the two best friends set off on a walk that takes them through the meadow, past a shady thicket, and over a distant hill, all the way to a place they've never been before—the beach! Turns out, Goose loves the ocean. But guess who doesn't?
“Charming, funny, simple, and surprising. . . . Hills is master of the light comic touch.” — The Boston Globe
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
33 people are currently reading
242 people want to read
About the author
Tad Hills
60 books124 followers“Whenever I picture myself [as a child],” says Tad Hills, “I am doing art. I spent a lot of time on my own making things, drawing, and painting.” Hills was not consciously trying to become an artist, rather his motives were innocent and pure. “I liked making things,” he says.
As a graduate of Skidmore College in New York with a degree in art, Hills describes himself as the ultimate freelancer. He’s done some acting, made jewelry, makes fake teeth for stage productions, dabbled in interior renovation, and illustrated book jackets for adult trade books. But Hills’ break into children’s publishing coincided with his wife Lee’s new position as the art director for Simon and Schuster’s children’s book division. “Lee used to ask me to try illustrating some books she couldn’t find an illustrator for,” Hills says. When Lee moved to Random House to start her own imprint with long-time friend and associate, Ann Schwartz, she encouraged Hills to write his own picture books. “I started with four stories,” says Hills. His break out book, Duck and Goose (Schwartz and Wade, 2006) was one of them.
The idea for Duck and Goose started with only a title—The Silly Goose, the Odd Duck and the Good Egg. As Hills developed the story, he realized his egg would have to be rather large to support Duck and Goose so they could hatch it. Hills also had to consider what would hatch out of such a large egg. A dinosaur? An ostrich? Additionally, Hills floated the title by his son’s kindergarten class and was rewarded with blank stares. Hills took the hint and changed his egg to a ball, and changed the title.
“For me, the writing is really difficult. I stare at a blank page for hours,” he says. “When Lee comes home and asks me about my day, I say it was okay. I wrote one sentence. . .But when I’m in the zone, I literally hear the dialogue between [Duck and Goose]. They were telling me what they wanted to say! That is the best feeling. That is when it’s not work. It’s fun!”
Hills paints with water-soluble oil paint on paper, using colored pencils for the last details. Although Hills’ Duck and Goose characters look simple enough, he drew hundreds of ducks and geese before finding a style with which he was comfortable. “The first ones [I drew] were older looking,” he says. “They looked like cigar-smoking tough guys.” Over a matter of months, Hills finally pared down Duck and Goose to their essential elements—circular heads, long rectangular legs, triangular feet, and door-shaped beaks. “When I apply the eyebrow,” he says, “I can express what Duck is feeling.”
As Hills’ two children grow, he finds himself drawn to how kids treat each other. “I didn’t tolerate meanness or injustice as a kid,” he says. In Duck, Duck, Goose (Schwartz and Wade, 2007), Hills creates a friendship triangle by introducing a new duck named Thistle. Together Duck, Goose, and Thistle give Hills’ observations a voice and provide several conversation starters for parents and children.
Hills writes from his home in Brooklyn, New York. Some days he doesn’t write at all, but tries to stay receptive to what he’s experiencing. “Most of my ideas come to me when I’m not looking,” he says. “It’s hard to get yourself to a point where ideas are out there and you can grab them.”
from http://www.patriciamnewman.com/hills....
As a graduate of Skidmore College in New York with a degree in art, Hills describes himself as the ultimate freelancer. He’s done some acting, made jewelry, makes fake teeth for stage productions, dabbled in interior renovation, and illustrated book jackets for adult trade books. But Hills’ break into children’s publishing coincided with his wife Lee’s new position as the art director for Simon and Schuster’s children’s book division. “Lee used to ask me to try illustrating some books she couldn’t find an illustrator for,” Hills says. When Lee moved to Random House to start her own imprint with long-time friend and associate, Ann Schwartz, she encouraged Hills to write his own picture books. “I started with four stories,” says Hills. His break out book, Duck and Goose (Schwartz and Wade, 2006) was one of them.
The idea for Duck and Goose started with only a title—The Silly Goose, the Odd Duck and the Good Egg. As Hills developed the story, he realized his egg would have to be rather large to support Duck and Goose so they could hatch it. Hills also had to consider what would hatch out of such a large egg. A dinosaur? An ostrich? Additionally, Hills floated the title by his son’s kindergarten class and was rewarded with blank stares. Hills took the hint and changed his egg to a ball, and changed the title.
“For me, the writing is really difficult. I stare at a blank page for hours,” he says. “When Lee comes home and asks me about my day, I say it was okay. I wrote one sentence. . .But when I’m in the zone, I literally hear the dialogue between [Duck and Goose]. They were telling me what they wanted to say! That is the best feeling. That is when it’s not work. It’s fun!”
Hills paints with water-soluble oil paint on paper, using colored pencils for the last details. Although Hills’ Duck and Goose characters look simple enough, he drew hundreds of ducks and geese before finding a style with which he was comfortable. “The first ones [I drew] were older looking,” he says. “They looked like cigar-smoking tough guys.” Over a matter of months, Hills finally pared down Duck and Goose to their essential elements—circular heads, long rectangular legs, triangular feet, and door-shaped beaks. “When I apply the eyebrow,” he says, “I can express what Duck is feeling.”
As Hills’ two children grow, he finds himself drawn to how kids treat each other. “I didn’t tolerate meanness or injustice as a kid,” he says. In Duck, Duck, Goose (Schwartz and Wade, 2007), Hills creates a friendship triangle by introducing a new duck named Thistle. Together Duck, Goose, and Thistle give Hills’ observations a voice and provide several conversation starters for parents and children.
Hills writes from his home in Brooklyn, New York. Some days he doesn’t write at all, but tries to stay receptive to what he’s experiencing. “Most of my ideas come to me when I’m not looking,” he says. “It’s hard to get yourself to a point where ideas are out there and you can grab them.”
from http://www.patriciamnewman.com/hills....
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
June 30, 2014
Wow, don’t be deceived by this little picture book. Duck and Goose Go to the Beach by Tad Hills, took me way back. To my first year straight out of college and into a kindergarten classroom. Oh the memories. Of tying shoes, opening ketchup packages, the list goes on, but above them all reading with expression. I’m not embarrass to say. I read this book out loud to myself with different voices for each character, and let’s just say I should’ve recorded it. I saw myself, in this book. I am the little Goose. However, I’m thankful for my sidekick (darling hubby) who is Duck, that pushes me on.
“We could go on an adventure!” Duck said.
“An adventure? That sounds scary,” Goose honked.
Duck is ready. Ready to go. Ready to play, ready to walk, ready to be adventurous. Goose on the other hand, is ready to relax, ready to dream, ready to simply sit back and enjoy what life brings us. (Ok so maybe I’m not as timid or laid back as Goose). With every suggestion of activity that Duck makes, Goose is not so sure he wants to participate. However, Duck urges him on in his own special way. Once they begin their adventure, and the natural sites along the way, they finally reach the beach. The place we all want to visit in the summer. They relax, they enjoy life, they enjoy each other’s friendship
Tad Hills has written a story that children can relate to. The dialogue is perfect. Even if the words were missing from the pages of the text, the illustrations would continue to tell the same sweet story. He captured the meaning of friendship, with his words and his artistic ability through the eyes of two best friends.
“We could go on an adventure!” Duck said.
“An adventure? That sounds scary,” Goose honked.
Duck is ready. Ready to go. Ready to play, ready to walk, ready to be adventurous. Goose on the other hand, is ready to relax, ready to dream, ready to simply sit back and enjoy what life brings us. (Ok so maybe I’m not as timid or laid back as Goose). With every suggestion of activity that Duck makes, Goose is not so sure he wants to participate. However, Duck urges him on in his own special way. Once they begin their adventure, and the natural sites along the way, they finally reach the beach. The place we all want to visit in the summer. They relax, they enjoy life, they enjoy each other’s friendship
Tad Hills has written a story that children can relate to. The dialogue is perfect. Even if the words were missing from the pages of the text, the illustrations would continue to tell the same sweet story. He captured the meaning of friendship, with his words and his artistic ability through the eyes of two best friends.
August 20, 2016
Duck & Goose is a wonderful series. The artwork is absolutely adorable. Tad Hills draws his critters with lots of expression and even better he gives children two friends who are very different. Goose likes things and places that are familiar, while Duck loves adventure and things that are new. Duck pushes Goose a bit out of his comfort zone, but together they have fun and I think children can relate to both characters.
In this book Duck and Goose leave their meadow and go exploring. At first they see things that are familiar, but then they discover the beach, hot sand, and waves!
Duck and Goose fans are going to want to read this one. It's very cute.
In this book Duck and Goose leave their meadow and go exploring. At first they see things that are familiar, but then they discover the beach, hot sand, and waves!
Duck and Goose fans are going to want to read this one. It's very cute.
January 27, 2025
Fun for beach storytime.
May 4, 2014
Duck and Goose are friends. One the optimistic adventure seeker and the other a pessimistic naysayer. Together, they are the perfect match. Especially when their roles seem to reverse.
Duck loves the quiet meadow where they live; everything they need is there until, on a lark, they decide to take an adventure. Past the stump and over the stream, across the fields and up and down the hills until they find the beach and all the new friends that live there.
I had never heard the term drip castle before, but what a great thing to try the next time we travel to the ocean. Basically you make a slurry of sand and water and drip one layer on top of the next until your create your own free form castle.
I found Duck and Goose Go to the Beach more of a read to instead of a read together book. Not that the reading level was too challenging, just that for some reason it worked out better that way.
This is a great end of spring, get ready for summer book. One to bring out on a relaxing day and read of the adventures of two friends and the great day that they had.
Duck loves the quiet meadow where they live; everything they need is there until, on a lark, they decide to take an adventure. Past the stump and over the stream, across the fields and up and down the hills until they find the beach and all the new friends that live there.
I had never heard the term drip castle before, but what a great thing to try the next time we travel to the ocean. Basically you make a slurry of sand and water and drip one layer on top of the next until your create your own free form castle.
I found Duck and Goose Go to the Beach more of a read to instead of a read together book. Not that the reading level was too challenging, just that for some reason it worked out better that way.
This is a great end of spring, get ready for summer book. One to bring out on a relaxing day and read of the adventures of two friends and the great day that they had.
April 9, 2014
Too cute. I love the illustrations and the idea of two friends going on an adventure. Not a picture book but it kind of reminded me of Avi's The End of the Beginning: Being the Adventures of a Small Snail.
I always save Mo Willems for this time of year. Kind of selfish ... just because I love Pigeon and Piggie and Elephant so much I want to read them during the spring when I'm stressed out because of things like testing pressures and getting books returned. But I think I will save THIS one for that last read before summer break.
I always save Mo Willems for this time of year. Kind of selfish ... just because I love Pigeon and Piggie and Elephant so much I want to read them during the spring when I'm stressed out because of things like testing pressures and getting books returned. But I think I will save THIS one for that last read before summer break.
May 3, 2022
2022
2021
Gift from Harper's grandmother
Cute story about going to new places
2021
Gift from Harper's grandmother
Cute story about going to new places
July 10, 2024
Adorable book showcasing differences of opinion and trying new things!
June 10, 2022
Duck and Goose continue to bring the cute...this time on the beach!
May 18, 2022
Such a cute book!
July 2, 2016
Bug loves ducks. I don’t know any toddler that doesn’t. He would watch the ducks in the park for hours if I let him. If we see almost any other bird (except owls) he will more often than not identify them as ducks. We’re also big fans of the Gossie books by Olivier Dunrea. So when I saw a book entitled Duck & Goose I thought for sure we were going to have a winner on our hands. The actual consensus is a bit more complicated.
Duck & Goose has a story line that works well for kids. Essentially Duck wants to go on an adventure and Goose wants to stay at home. Then once they get to their adventure destination, the beach, Duck isn’t enjoying himself anymore and Goose is having a great time. Addressing failed expectations and being hesitant in the face of new experiences are both very worthwhile things to discuss with children as their lives are constantly being injected with new things. However, the story was a bit long for Bug and I ended up cutting each page down to one or two sentences.
The illustrations are adorable. Duck and Goose are so sweet as they parade around in bucket hats exploring the beach. They’re faces are so expressive that it makes it quite easy for Bug to follow along with the story even if I’m not reading it to him. I’ve found him a few times flipping through and saying our only two expressive words right now: “happy” and “Oh no!” But again he doesn’t sit through the whole story very often. I think it would be perfect for children that are a bit older (at least two-years-old).
Story Tips:
-If you have a little one do a bit of improvisation and cut the story down otherwise they may not sit through the entire thing.
Duck & Goose has a story line that works well for kids. Essentially Duck wants to go on an adventure and Goose wants to stay at home. Then once they get to their adventure destination, the beach, Duck isn’t enjoying himself anymore and Goose is having a great time. Addressing failed expectations and being hesitant in the face of new experiences are both very worthwhile things to discuss with children as their lives are constantly being injected with new things. However, the story was a bit long for Bug and I ended up cutting each page down to one or two sentences.
The illustrations are adorable. Duck and Goose are so sweet as they parade around in bucket hats exploring the beach. They’re faces are so expressive that it makes it quite easy for Bug to follow along with the story even if I’m not reading it to him. I’ve found him a few times flipping through and saying our only two expressive words right now: “happy” and “Oh no!” But again he doesn’t sit through the whole story very often. I think it would be perfect for children that are a bit older (at least two-years-old).
Story Tips:
-If you have a little one do a bit of improvisation and cut the story down otherwise they may not sit through the entire thing.
February 14, 2015
Once again best friends Duck and Goose have a great time together through their differences and through their shared love for each other. Duck wants to go adventuring and Goose is content to stay right where he is. Duck is eager to try new things and go new places. Goose thinks being safe and staying home is a good idea. Duck starts off to explore and Goose follows along. Through all of their exploring, with Duck jumping in and Goose along for the ride, they end up having a grand adventure at the beach.
I love these two characters and Hills' artwork and stories. I first found the board book versions of them, and my granddaughter loves those. She just turned three and this offers more of her favorite characters. The "paper" books offer more of a story than the board books she started with, but have the familiarity of these two friends and how the opposites deal with their differences. What is wonderful about these stories is that these two best friends are quite different and often but are always able to bridge the differences and that they really care about each other.
I love these two characters and Hills' artwork and stories. I first found the board book versions of them, and my granddaughter loves those. She just turned three and this offers more of her favorite characters. The "paper" books offer more of a story than the board books she started with, but have the familiarity of these two friends and how the opposites deal with their differences. What is wonderful about these stories is that these two best friends are quite different and often but are always able to bridge the differences and that they really care about each other.
October 24, 2019
Duck starts out as the adventurous one and goose is content. But when they get to the beach Goose is the one who loves it and Duck is the one who wants to go home.
** Talking points - do you tend to be more adventurous or more content? Talk about times of adventure in your life that you have initiated Talk about times of adventure in your life that others have initiated. Talk about times of contentment in your life. How does visiting the ocean or other bodies of water make you feel? How do you feel at home? Do you tend to be friendly or standoffish? Do you tend to be shy or outgoing? Do you tend to be careful or carefree?
** Essential Oil Pairing Tip - Try this California Coast Diffuser Blend: 2 drops Frankincense, 2 drops Cedarwood, 1 drop Rosemary, 2 drops Wild Orange. Frankincense and Cedarwood are calmings, Wild orange is uplifting and Rosemary helps with transitions.
** Talking points - do you tend to be more adventurous or more content? Talk about times of adventure in your life that you have initiated Talk about times of adventure in your life that others have initiated. Talk about times of contentment in your life. How does visiting the ocean or other bodies of water make you feel? How do you feel at home? Do you tend to be friendly or standoffish? Do you tend to be shy or outgoing? Do you tend to be careful or carefree?
** Essential Oil Pairing Tip - Try this California Coast Diffuser Blend: 2 drops Frankincense, 2 drops Cedarwood, 1 drop Rosemary, 2 drops Wild Orange. Frankincense and Cedarwood are calmings, Wild orange is uplifting and Rosemary helps with transitions.
July 9, 2018
I love Duck and Goose books. This one is a great addiction to the series with simple colorful illustrations. The only thing that makes this a hard read for some children is the length of the story. In order for me to read this during storytime I had to paper clip several pages together through out the story. On the plus side the story still makes sense even shortened. Recommend to early elementary children.
May 30, 2018
Meh. This was just ok. I feel like the illustration style is ripping of Olivier Dunrea, and not doing it as well. The story is kind of cute, has some good moments, but I think uses way more words than it needed to. The best parts are when it is simple and leans on the illustrations for humor. Overall, trying a little too hard. Nothing special.
July 14, 2020
Duck wants to go to the beach, but Goose doesn’t! Goose would rather stay home where it’s safe and comfortable. Duck convinces Goose to journey to the beach, but they are in for a surprise as to who will enjoy the beach more! Super cute, lovable characters, and relatable feelings (ok, so sometimes I’m Goose and sometimes I’m Duck!)
August 6, 2019
This is an adorable story about two friends who strike out on an adventure, one reluctantly. As they go along, unsure Goose becomes more interested while Duck gets more uncertain, especially when they find the ocean. Cute story and illustrations.
September 14, 2020
Duck wants to go on an adventure and goose wants to stay home. Away walks duck with goose following and reaching the destination of the beach there is a role reversal. Duck is hesitant about exploring the beach and the water and now goose is excited and ready to explore. Cute fun story.
June 17, 2017
I love Duck and Goose books and this a delightful story about the two friends going to the beach. Great for reading one-on-one or to a group.
June 9, 2018
Loved this cute story. Pictures were adorable. A fun read for babies.
July 1, 2018
Darling book bit a bit long for the 75 in my Toddler Storytime this week. Would like to try it with preschool kiddos.
February 9, 2019
All about adventure and new things.
March 27, 2019
This book is adorable. Great story. Very funny. One of the better Duck & Goose books that I have read. I borrowed this from the library and plan to purchase it for our collection.
May 15, 2019
too long. lots of words, gave up on it, it might be cute but won't use it for storytime.
June 30, 2019
I loved the friendship between Duck and Goose and the adventure they had and it kept my wide age range of kids entertained. A good bedtime story.
December 4, 2019
This did not grab me like the other duck and goose books did. The Art was nice but it just lacked something.
February 25, 2020
We loved this adventure of Duck and Goose.
June 7, 2020
This book, and this entire series, are so cute. I love Tad Hills books. The writing is good, the characters are cute, and the illustrations are inviting. This is a great summer story time read.
July 8, 2020
We liked it because we like the story and we like the sea creatures.
November 24, 2020
One of my favorite Duck & Goose books
July 2, 2021
Duck and goose are a little nervous to head out of the meadow for the day but find great adventure at the beach. preschool and up
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews