We're Going on a Picnic

by Pat Hutchins

It's a lovely day for a picnic so Hen picks some berries, Goose picks some apples and Duck picks some pears then the three friends set off to look for the perfect spot to enjoy their feast. But young readers will quickly discover that the three friends aren't the only ones who are hungry. A mouse, a squirrel and a rabbit all help themselves to the food and by the time the friends sit down to eat, the basket is empty. As the picnic basket gets lighter and lighter, readers will be laughing harder and harder.

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Animals, Childrens, Food, Birds, Summer

32 pages, Paperback

First published February 19, 2002

About the author

Pat Hutchins is an English illustrator and writer of children's books.

She won the 1974 Kate Greenaway Medal from the Library Association, recognising the year's best children's book illustration by a British subject. The work was The Wind Blew, a picture book in rhyme which she also wrote. It shows how "a crowd of people anxiously chase their belongings" in the wind.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the illustrations for this one, though I tend to find it slightly frustrating when characters in stories never seem to learn their lesson -- but I could see this being popular with a lot of kids.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming book! Pat Hutchins really tells two stories. One with her words and the other with her illustrations.

[Celia Buell (semi hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very visual book, where the images tell a very different story from the text. It would be a good book to get students to notice images and how they interact with text and beyond the text, and how pictures can tell their own story. I think it is best suited for younger students, and could be used in a lesson on "reading" pictures and making inferences.

The pictures and text are best suited for younger readers, maybe in a read aloud.

Read my full review on my Goodreads account for children's books

[Celia Buell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A chicken, a duck, and a goose pack a picnic basket full of their favorite fruits, and they walk a long way to find their favorite picnic spots. Along the way, they chant, "We're going on a picnic!" Unfortunately, their chanting attracts some uninvited hungry animals, who steal their fruit as they debate about the perfect picnic spot, and about who has to carry the basket.

This is a very visual book, where the images tell a very different story from the text. It would be a good book to get students to notice images and how they interact with text and beyond the text, and how pictures can tell their own story. I think it is best suited for younger students, and could be used in a lesson on "reading" pictures and making inferences.

One thing I don't like is that the characters don't seem to learn from their actions, and as a result, a lot is unresolved by the main characters at the end of the story (things that the reader knows but the characters do not)

This would be a good book for young students, and probably as a read aloud.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goose, duck, and hen decide to go on a picnic. They load their basket with their favorite fruits and set out to find the perfect picnic spot. But they can't quite agree on the perfect picnic site... and each time they stop, their basket gets a little lighter as forest critters take the opportunity to munch on the contents. Little ones will enjoy looking for mouse and squirrel and rabbit as they sneak fruit out of the picnic basket.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chicken, Duck & Goose are going on a picnic, but are having trouble deciding where to have it. Be sure to keep an eye on mouse, squirrel and rabbit. Will have to try this next summer for my picnic story times. 8/30/11

Used it today for PJ Story Time and one little boy was really intrigued. I might use it tomorrow too. 6/26/12

Used in PJ Story Time. The girl seemed to get overexcited by the story? Her father thought she was just overtired from camp. 7/23/13

Used in PJ Story Time and was okay, however in Story Time there were a lot of "uh-oh" comments as children noticed the mouse, squirrel and rabbit. 7/14/14

A little much for PJ, but caused several comments in story time.

[Nancy Roach · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely day for a picnic!! The Hen, Goose, and Duck pick out their favorite fruit on the way. They see the perfect spot but realize that it is too shady for them so they try and find a different place. They were so excited for this picnic!! The next place is to windy for them and think they can find an even nicer place. Then it is to hot on the next, and as they go from place to place they sing about going on a picnic. They end up being right where they started and realize that the basket is light and had not notice the different animals along the way that have been eating the fruit. They get more and eventually find a nice place to have a picnic. I liked the story was not one of my favorites. I did like how the author does not exactly say that the squirrel went and got some fruit but that you have to follow the pictures also. I think this would be good for 1st grade because the vocabulary is simple and a higher level reader in kindergarten could read this book.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pat Hutchins was a treasure! All of her works have become classic staples often used in classroom and library storytimes. This gem of a book is no different. Three friends decide to go on a picnic, each taking their favorite food. Each time they come to what seems to be the perfect picnic spot, someone always suggests moving on due to some sort of perceived inconvenience, such as being to windy.

When they eventually work their way back to their own home they realize that all of their food has disappeared out of their basket and they haven't even had their picnic yet! Children will truly enjoy pointing out how the food disappeared.

A wonderful story perfect for storytime.

[Alicia Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

We read this today as one of the books in our puppet show. One staff member read the book while other staff and kids helped act it out with puppets. The kids enjoyed getting to play as the different animals, but the book wasn't as fun as others we read this day. I think it ran a little long and it would probably work best with a smaller group or one-on-one.

For: fans of picnics, animals, or those looking for a mischievous book.

Possible red flags: The fact that other animals steal the food isn't explicitly stated, and it may go over some readers' heads.

[Maggie Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is about a duck,chicken and goose going on a picnic and they cannot agree on where to eat and while they are walking a squirrel is in their basket eating their food.

I thought this book was very cute and creative.

I would use this for telling how things are similar but different like with the chicken, duck, and goose. and use this for farm animals.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple story - much better if you follow the illustrations carefully! I'm not sure my toddlers will get it, but I think the preschoolers will love how the sneaky animals steal the picnic without getting caught.

[Katrina Clohessy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Duck, goose, and hen decide to go on picnic, but other critters steal their fruit as they fail to agree on a picnic spot. They end up making a circle and arriving back home, where they pick fruit again and aren't picky about their picnic spot this time. Repetition, simply story.

[Maria Salgado · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a simple repetitive book with illustrations that are not very captivating. The story gets boring after a while but can still be used to talk about different animals or about compromise and getting along with others.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone likes to go on a picnic including hen who likes very much like Rosie the hen, duck, and goose.
However, the three barnyard friends can’t agree on a location to enjoy their picnic. Be sure to watch the illustrations as three other”friends” are about to enjoy a picnic. Cute

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A trio of silly birds set out for a picnic with a basket full of fruit, until various little animals pay the basket a visit, enjoying the fruit, too!

Themes: hen/goose/duck/rabbits/mice/squirrels/animals, picnics
Ages: toddler-1st grade
Pub year: 2002

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

2-5yr olds. Comprehension and humour.

[Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute and wholesome

[Nancy Palmer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay but not my favorite.

[Katelynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silly & fun.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is simple and the illustrations are gorgeous.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.25

[zunggg · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gormless goose, a hapless hen and a dozy duck have their picnic pilfered by opportunistic critters. A simple tale raised above the average by Hutchins's patented artwork.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

We're Going On A Picnic by Pat Hutchins follows Duck, Hen and Goose as they try to find a good place for a picnic, while their basket gets lighter, and readers see who is responsible.

Hutchins' detailed illustrations were made using pen and ink and felt-tipped markers, creating her trademark stylized art. My favorite images are title page, picking, field, up, down, hot, empty and across.

Hutchins tells this story of three cheerful, hungry friends who just don't notice their basket getting emptied as they keep looking for the perfect place to have their picnic. The illustrations, and the very appealing animals, are the highlight in this silly story featuring repetition of phrases, crafty creatures, and cute, but clueless, friends. Listeners and readers will feel smart at noticing what Goose, Duck and Hen totally miss. 3.5 stars.

For ages 3 to 6, animals, picnics, stealing, fruit, friends, and fans of Pat Hutchins.

[Mary Sesar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute little book where three animals went hiking to find the perfect place to have their picnic. Each time they sat the basket down a little critter would hop in and take one of their foods.
I would use this book to help children realize that when you go on a picnic, stuff like this can happen. Critters come around when no one is near, and bugs get into their food like the little pests they are. They should always be careful and keep their food fully covered and safe.

[Rebecca Snodgrass · Rating 3 out of 5]

You really have to watch what you are reading when it comes to this book. If you don't look at the pictures you miss the whole point of the story. The other animals sneaking in the basket is so cute. I also think its silly that they never noticed the basket getting lighter as their fruit is being eaten by animals. This would have to be for a younger class, but they would enjoy pointing the thieves out to you.

[Mhm Storytelling · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book follows a Hen, Goose and Duck who pack a picnic. They end up losing their food and going in a circle. When they come back home, they have to repack the picnic and head out again.

Themes/topics: picnics, working together, getting lost?

Red Flags: none

Opportunity for interaction:
What is your favorite fruit? Who is stealing their food?

[Lora · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really giving these books what I think Lucy's rating would be... She wanted to read this one over and over again. I can't say I loved it quite that much (especially after the 500th reading), but she never got tired of it. Again, the story is simple but the pictures add a whole other element. I think that might be this author's trademark. Fun... and thankfully, short!

[Amy Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

We're Going on a Picnic is a cute story. It would be a good read aloud. Students would enjoy the story and think it is funny. The characters in the book are collecting items for the picnic but they do not realize that other animals also enjoy those items. They are slowly losing their items as they go on their walk for the picnic.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

a suck, hen and a goose pack fruit to go on a picnic but they can't decide where to go. They keep walking but as they walk their basket gets lighter. Where could their fruit have gone, maybe to the squirrel, bunny and mouse following them? Cute but you have to really look at the pictures to get it so not for a big crowd.

[Edna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Goose, duck and chicken pick fruit, fill a basket and head out to find the perfect picnic spot unknowing that as they walk, little forest animals are helping themselves to all the food in the picnic basket.