Merry Christmas, Ollie!

Gossie and Friends

by Olivier Dunrea

An endearing and beautifully rendered tale sure to be a family favorite.

It's Christmas Eve.
Gossie and Gertie hang their bright colored boots in the barn.
Peedie and BooBoo hang their striped stockings in the barn.
Ollie stomps through the snow.
It's not easy to wait for Father Christmas Goose!

With ample wry humor, beautiful ink-and-watercolor pictures, and irresistible charm, Olivier Dunrea shares the first holiday story of Gossie and friends.Ollie perfectly encompasses the adorable impatience of young children waiting for Christmas to finally come.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday, Animals, Fiction, Birds

32 pages, Paperback

First published August 27, 2007

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

[La Coccinelle]

This book is basically the Christmas version of an annoying child in a car shouting, "Are we there yet?" Father Christmas Goose (okay, I liked him) finally shows up, as he was always going to do, and Ollie doesn't really learn anything. The "story" is just Ollie being an impatient gosling. I would've liked something more, maybe his friends showing him how to be patient, or at least distracting him. Instead, they keep building up the impending event, probably increasing Ollie's impatience, to the point he shouts, "I want Christmas NOW!" Okay, fine, that may be how little kids would act, but there's no commentary on his impatience or behaviour. Father Christmas Goose comes, Ollie shouts, "Christmas is here!" and the book ends.

Underwhelming isn't really a strong enough word.

[Melki]

Ollie waits impatiently for the arrival of Father Goose. That's it as far as the story goes, though I did find the simple illustrations to be pretty darned adorable.

[Luciana]

A cute little story about geese that are waiting for Christmas & for Father Christmas Goose.

Ollie goes to all the animals to see if it's Christmas yet because he is getting tired of waiting. At last, they hear something...they listen, they look & they wait & then Christmas is here.

The illustrations are cute & the story is easy to read even for the youngest reader.

A good story about waiting & patience.

[Shiloah]

Cute little Christmas book. Christmas for the goslings. This book was made cuter by our little Lamby (7) reading it aloud to us tonight.

[The Library Lady]

Kids may be confused by "Father Christmas Goose", but American kids are bound to be confused by anything other than "Santa", just as kids elsewhere might be confused BY Santa!

But no matter where they're from kids are always impatient for Christmas (or other special holidays) to come. And both adults and children find Dunrea's small geese irresistible. They will enjoy this holiday addition to the series.

[Anna]

This is a cute book. I love Ollie, but there are better Ollie books out there. The drawings are cute as always! In this story Ollie can't wait for Christmas and keeps asking around if it's Christmas already.

[Rose Rosetree]

Even if you're not a lover of silly young geese, you'll likely enjoy this book. And why?

Because it's a rare treat to come across a book suitable for toddlers that is actually synched up with how those youngest book readers THINK. Reading this storybook, Goodreaders, you'll find:

* Very short sentences.
* Lots and lots of examples.
* Instead of concepts, such as first graders might have learned how to play with, toddlers go through one example at a time.

In my experience, relatively few books for toddlers manage to match them at their level of understanding. FIVE BIG STARS, then.

[Courtney]

Now typically, I do not hate on children's books too harshly for they are written for the small minds of children; however, "Merry Christmas, Ollie" makes absolutely no since whatsoever.

During the entire story you have the friends of little Ollie preparing for Christmas, while Ollie himself just whines about the fact that it is not time yet for the big day. This continues on for page after page, until the end when Christmas does arrive. There is not really a point to this story line, no true plot. Even my five year-old didn't understand this book.

[Jarno]

Hi everybody I am back with a new update. This book is
About Ollie the gosling.
In the beginning Gossie and Gertie were waiting. So
We’re Boo-boo and Petty too.
In the middle they showed Ollie in the snow. He was
Stomping to Gossie and Gertie.
In the end they showed Ollie with his present. He
Shouted the Christmas is here after the Christmas
Goose wished him a Merry Christmas.
I hope everybody is having a good day. I will be back
With the next update I’m not sure when.
Bye.

[Carolyn Jeziorski]

This was a cute read for preschoolers for the holiday season. The little goslings are waiting for Christmas. This book nails down that concept through the story and pictures--the little students I read it to, many of whom barely speak English--got the concept of waiting for sure. The illustrations are adorable. I would have liked just a little more meat to the story; it's pretty simplistic.

[Jana]

It's tough for young children to wait patiently for Christmas. Little Ollie's brothers and sisters have hung their socks in the barn and are headed for their nest. But Ollie doesn't want to wait any longer for Father Christmas Goose. This cute picture book would be fun to share with young readers. It might be a good way to think of ways to make the waiting more fun.

[E & E’s Mama]

Cute story about the goslings waiting for Father Christmas Goose. Elliot liked it, but wasn’t interested after about three reads, so it wasn’t as memorable or lovable as other Gossie & Friends books in the series.

Recommended read-aloud age: infants to preschool. Elliot is 2 and it was a good length. It’s short enough for babies

[Diana]

The kids liked the refrain about waiting, but they didn't seem to engage with the story, and neither did I. To be fair, it was a cold read for me, which does make it a little tougher since I don't know what to anticipate. Still, I don't think I'd use this one again.

[Meredith]

Ollie and the other goslings wait for Father Christmas Goose on Christmas Eve.

Told in a beginning reader format, story beautifully captures the anticipation of Christmas. Young readers will relate to Ollie’s impatience and how difficult waiting can be.

[Maeve]

On Christmas Eve, all the goslings are awaiting Father Christmas Goose. While Gossie and Gertie and BooBoo and Peedie wait patiently, Ollie is impatient. After waiting and waiting and asking all sorts of questions, the time finally arrives...and Ollie gets to see Father Christmas Goose!

[Lynn Davidson]

Ollie gosling and his four gosling friends are waiting ... and waiting ... for Christmas. The most impatient of them all is Ollie. The others assure him that Father Christmas Goose will soon be here. Such a cute easy-to-read story richly illustrated.

[Anthony]

It's Christmas Eve, and Gossie and the rest of the goslings are waiting for the arrival of Father Christmas Goose to arrive. Ollie the youngest of the goslings, wants Christmas NOW. Will Father Christmas Goose ever arrive before the night is over? Ollie remains steadfast to find out.

[A Allen]

This is a book I just do not understand. The goslings are waiting for Father Christmas Goose and Ollie is feeling impatient. Eventually the Goose comes, wishes Ollie "Merry Christmas", and leaves a gift.

[Beronica]

cute for 3-4year olds

[Ashley]

We love Ollie!

[Miss Sarah]

A toddler and up easy reader about friends goosie and gertie waiting for Christmas to come. cute

[Olivia S]

Not nearly as cute as the Easter one. Ollie impatiently waits for Father Christmas Goose to come. He comes. That's about it. Adorable illustrations as always. Wouldn't bother using.

[Ally McCulloch]

This is among the worst books I’ve ever read. It’s annoying, not interesting. There’s even a “wall” in it that reminds me of the current political situation in the USA. No thanks.

[Chelsea]

The story isn't good. It is just a whiney kid waiting for Christmas, and then Christmas comes. The artwork is lovely, but that didn't make me enjoy it.

[Eleanor W]

We love that booboo says she wants food the kids quote her frequently "good food"

[Kelly]

Sweet book and an adorable series.

[Cheriee Weichel]

Yes, I will most certainly purchase this one for my grandkids.

[Alisia]

Day 15
Children's Book Advent Calendar 2019

[Sherry Scheline]

Great book to teach patience. WAIT is a really big word for little ones. This book can help teach the concept of waiting.

[D Fichera]

Cute Christmas book and discussed waiting.