Ollie's Valentine

Gossie and Friends

by Olivier Dunrea

A new board book in Olivier Dunrea's Gossie & Friends series!

Ollie is looking. Looking for a valentine. Gossie, Gertie, Peedie, and BooBoo all have valentines, but Ollie wonders who will be his. His search leads him to a special valentine of his very own—a surprise for Ollie and readers! With shiny foil hearts on the cover and every spread, Dunrea's charming artwork shines in this gift-worthy treat of a book.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday, Animals

14 pages, Board Book

First published December 22, 2015

About the author

Since his debut in 1983, author and illustrator Olivier Dunrea has created a steady stream of picture books, including concept books, stories of family life—modern and ancient—and stories about artists. Many of Dunrea's picture books testify to his love of animals and his interest in archaeology and folklore of the British Isles, and several—including Ravena, The Trow-Wife's Treasure, and Bear Noel—take place in a similar land of Dunrea's own creation: the mythic island of Moel Eyris. "I don't write books or make pictures for children," Dunrea once told Something About the Author (SATA). "I make them for myself. It just so happens that children like what I do as much as I do!"

Olivier (Jean-Paul Dominique) Dunrea (1953-) Biography - Personal, Career, Member, Writings, Sidelights

Reviews

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivier Dunrea creates such wonderful books for littles! This little Valentine's Day book is sure to delight the littlest kiddie! Surprise at end of book!

[Cassie Zhang · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this 4 stars because my son, Ollie, adores these books. The little characters are so cute. I wish there was more to the stories.

[Emily Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give this 5 stars for the illustrations because they’re cute and soft. The story itself gets 3 stars because it’s simple and Ollie seems a little whiny and jealous with no reconciliation or correction of that behavior.

[Andrés · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet book with an interactive surprise at the end, but I do not understand the math of everyone giving a Valentine to someone else. Does the loop close? How do the ducks know who their Valentines should be?

[Marcela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doubles as a book for teaching colors, since each valentine is different!

[Maeve · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's Valentine's Day, and Ollie walks around seeing all of the nice Valentine cards his friends have received. He desperately wants a Valentine of his own...but who will give him one?

[Addie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute! 2 year old liked it too

[Beckie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ollie needs a Valentine! Another great book by Dunrea featuring all the beloved geese.

[Marysia Kosowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such adorable gosling characters. The illustrations are super cute and the stories heartwarming.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shortly after my nephews were born, I discovered the Gossie and Friends board books and fell in love with them! I think I’ve managed to collect the whole series now. These little goslings as so adorable and lovable! The stories are just right for babies and toddlers. The illustrations are darling and focused. My nephews and I love these books! We love looking for the little bugs and animals that make up the background for the pictures. We love exploring the colors and feelings expressed in each book. Such a great series! Ollie’s Valentine is no exception. All of Ollie’s friends have a Valentine and Ollie is hoping someone will give one to him. Ollie demands, “Who will be MY Valentine?” And turning to the last page, a heart surrounds a mirror and the reader gets to be Ollie’s Valentine! I actually read this book to my nephew via FaceTime last night while his mama trimmed his hair. He was captivated and sat so still for Mama! He loved naming the colors of the different Valentine’s and looking for the snails, ladybugs, and frogs. This is a great book!

[K Morlando · Rating 4 out of 5]

We love Gossie and friends books.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very cute book that my fiancé and I picked up on a whim. Ollie tries his hardest to find someone to be his Valentine, only to have a major surprise at the end!

For: fans of this series of books; readers wanting a cute Valentines read.

Possible red flags: feelings of loneliness and exclusion.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't really like the ending but Ollie the duck goes through her day seeing all her friends and they each have a valentine from someone else but no one has one for her but you could be her valentine.

[Elle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beautiful metallic Valentines provide parents the opportunity to practice color identification with their child. However, the favorite Valentine will definitely be the reflective mirror one at the end of the story.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ollie the Stomper wants a valentine. The other goslings -- Gossie, Gertie, BooBoo, and Peedie -- all have a valentine, but who will send him one?

The story is very cute and sweet but has very little plot. The final page has a reflective heart for the child to see "who" will be Ollie's Valentine.

[Christine D · Rating 4 out of 5]

adorable, as usual with these little ducklings and goslings!

[Meredith]

I love Ollie!!! And this book!

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Love the series, but this was my least favorite.

[Sofia Cuevas]

Ollie is looking for a Valentine. He asks several others if they are his Valentine and then at the end of the book there is a mirror saying “you” are the valentine. My daughter loved the mirror. .

[Cyndy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Gossie and Friends stories are cute and the illustrations are adorable. Highly recommended for little ones.