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Duck & Goose
Duck & Goose, A Gift for Goose
Kids will giggle along when they learn to read with beloved picture book book characters, Duck & Goose! Tad Hills the #1 New York Times bestselling author is back with another Level 1 Step into Reading story.
Duck and Goose, the stars of the New York Times bestselling picture book series including Duck & Goose, Duck, Duck, Goose and Honk! Quack! Boo! and the bestselling board books includingDuck & Goose Find a Pumpkin, and What's up Duck? return in an all-new Step 1 Step into Reading leveled reader. Duck has a very nice gift for Goose, and the perfect box to put it in... maybe it's too perfect! With predictable patterns, simple words, lots of repetition, and bright, colorful illustrations, young readers will love this new Duck & Goose book, which they can read all by themselves!
Step 1 Readers feature big type and easy words. Rhymes and rhythmic text paired with picture clues help children decode the story. Perfect for children who know the alphabet and are eager to begin reading.
TAD HILLS is the author and illustrator of the highly acclaimed New York Times bestselling picture books How Rocket Learned to Read, Rocket Writes
Duck and Goose, the stars of the New York Times bestselling picture book series including Duck & Goose, Duck, Duck, Goose and Honk! Quack! Boo! and the bestselling board books includingDuck & Goose Find a Pumpkin, and What's up Duck? return in an all-new Step 1 Step into Reading leveled reader. Duck has a very nice gift for Goose, and the perfect box to put it in... maybe it's too perfect! With predictable patterns, simple words, lots of repetition, and bright, colorful illustrations, young readers will love this new Duck & Goose book, which they can read all by themselves!
Step 1 Readers feature big type and easy words. Rhymes and rhythmic text paired with picture clues help children decode the story. Perfect for children who know the alphabet and are eager to begin reading.
TAD HILLS is the author and illustrator of the highly acclaimed New York Times bestselling picture books How Rocket Learned to Read, Rocket Writes
32 pages, Paperback
Published January 8, 2019
About the author
Tad Hills
69 books127 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
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 10, 2019
I've been a fan of Tad Hills ever since encountering his Rocket books and that adorable book-loving dog. The Duck & Goose books are equally as charming, somehow capturing in very few words what it means to be a friend and what it means to be young. In this book, illustrated with colored pencils and acrylic paint, Duck carefully embellishes a box containing the present he intends to give to Goose. Perhaps he worked too hard on the box since Goose loves it and considers it the perfect place to keep his special treasures. Young readers will smile once they realize what the present actually is. Perhaps the box or its packaging is what matters, after all. This book gives beginning readers a chance to practice their reading skills while being entertained by the two friends' antics.
January 7, 2019
Very cute. Gifts are always best from friends.
January 13, 2020
A Gift for Goose (Duck and Goose) by Tad Hills. PICTURE BOOK. Schwartz & Wade Books (Random), 2019. $13. 9780525644897
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Duck has a cute gift for his friend, Goose. He puts it in a box and decorates the box, even wrapping it with a ribbon. Goose is a little confused at what his gift is and they are both a little sad. Duck directs Goose to the real present and all is well.
This is a cute story and it has cute illustrations. It is easy to see how duck and Goose feel, the illustrations is full of expressions. This was a delightful book and my younger grandchildren like it and then they wanted to read it to me. Very nice.
Ellen-Anita, Librarian
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Duck has a cute gift for his friend, Goose. He puts it in a box and decorates the box, even wrapping it with a ribbon. Goose is a little confused at what his gift is and they are both a little sad. Duck directs Goose to the real present and all is well.
This is a cute story and it has cute illustrations. It is easy to see how duck and Goose feel, the illustrations is full of expressions. This was a delightful book and my younger grandchildren like it and then they wanted to read it to me. Very nice.
Ellen-Anita, Librarian
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
June 23, 2019
Duck shows us how to give a thoughtful gift to our friends. Too bad there is a misunderstanding about the gift! Goose keeps interrupting, but Duck finally explains and Goose is thrilled with his box so he can put his special things in it.
Simple text in large font welcomes beginning readers. Signature illustrations of Duck and Goose will give fans a new episode to enjoy.
In addition to a delightful friendship story for preschoolers, this story would be a great study for young authors on how to write a twist/surprise ending.
Simple text in large font welcomes beginning readers. Signature illustrations of Duck and Goose will give fans a new episode to enjoy.
In addition to a delightful friendship story for preschoolers, this story would be a great study for young authors on how to write a twist/surprise ending.
July 22, 2024
Hills Valleys #12
Duck & Goose #12
Just when I had lost all hope for Duck & Goose along comes the best book in the series so far.
The penultimate book in the series delivers a humorous, face palm inducing story which is engaging, and gives you a very satisfying ending.
Finally I can say there is a decent read in the series!
Duck & Goose #12
Just when I had lost all hope for Duck & Goose along comes the best book in the series so far.
The penultimate book in the series delivers a humorous, face palm inducing story which is engaging, and gives you a very satisfying ending.
Finally I can say there is a decent read in the series!
August 30, 2023
This was cute and funny. I love Tad Hills' illustrations. They're so simple and innocent. Duck gets a gift for Goose, but Goose thinks the box is his gift, so he goes to get all his special things to put in the box. The ending was unexpected and humorous.
February 6, 2019
Duck has a special gift for goose but will Goose like it? Cute and silly. Very fun. Preschool and up
February 20, 2019
so so so so so cute
February 27, 2019
Tad Hills is always a good choice, and this one is rather funny. (3.5 stars)
April 26, 2019
Cute and colorful and the best way to make your friend's day.
July 3, 2019
Made me laugh out loud...I did not see that gift coming!
April 20, 2020
This is about an amazing friendship!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 21, 2020
Great book. Easy to read. Cute characters.
June 17, 2020
Duck gives Goose a gift he really needs a box for his things.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2020
Duck gives a gift to Goose, who gets more excited about the packaging than the gift. Once the gift is opened, we see why.
October 18, 2020
How ADORABLE. Kids will love the silly ending to “Duck & Goose, A Gift for Goose.” It’s a great beginning reader because it has a story and is easy to read.
April 3, 2021
I love the ending. Makes me happy. :-)
August 4, 2022
Fantastic illustrations and a fun story. This is an early reader, not really appropriate for for a read aloud. But it's a great book.
April 3, 2023
Duck gives Goose a gift in this beginning reader.
September 18, 2023
I relate to this story so much.
January 27, 2025
So fun and cute
March 18, 2025
Super funny and Mummy lived doing a super annoying and full on voice for THISTLE 🤣
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May 14, 202505/14/25 - Play & Learn - JB
April 30, 2025
Read with Joseph on 30 Apr 2025
Read with Cecilia on 7 May 2025
A popular author with the kids I'm reading with, cute story about a misunderstanding about a gift.
Read with Cecilia on 7 May 2025
A popular author with the kids I'm reading with, cute story about a misunderstanding about a gift.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews