Merry Christmas, Ollie!

November 1, 2008
Dunrea continues his successful series about a gaggle of goslings with this simple story for preschoolers about the anticipation that little ones experience before Christmas. The five goslings, each wearing a different hat, wait anxiously in snowy fields for the arrival of Father Christmas Goose. They hang up their stockings and boots in the barn and ask each other when Christmas might arrive. The smallest gosling, Ollie, has the most trouble waiting, stomping and shouting in his impatience. Ollie stubbornly waits outside in the snow by himself, and he is rewarded by seeing Father Christmas Goose. Dunrea deftly employs an understated simplicity in his spare text and in his delicate watercolor-and-ink illustrations of the gawky goslings. The latter are attractively presented in vignette format surrounded by white space that extends the wintry feeling. The choice of Father Christmas Goose as the Santa character is a clever play on words, but this concept may be confusing for some children, who may think the character is the father of the goslings rather than Santa. (Picture book. 2-5)

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October 1, 2008
PreS-First-time readers and those already familiar with Dunreas goslings will be delighted by this simple story about anticipating the holiday. Seated in the snow with their beaks leaning forward and dressed in winter wear, Gossie, Gertie, BooBoo, Peedie, and Ollie await the arrival of Father Christmas Goose. While the others interrupt their vigil for holiday preparations, Ollie remains steadfastly in place. His reward is a personal greeting from Father Christmas Goose (who looks majestic wearing an aviator cap and goggles) and the important task of announcing to everyone that Christmas has indeed arrived. Remaining true to his uncomplicated watercolor style, Dunrea maintains an element of charm to Ollies waiting, depicting his impatience as sweet and subdued, rather than manic and obsessed. Parents and children will immediately relate to this youngsters excitement."Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2008
Preschool Dunrea's fanswill be pleased to see his characters return in a simple picture book with a Christmas theme. All the little goslings are anticipating the arrival of Father Christmas. Ollie stomps about impatiently asking, Is Christmas here yet? When the pivotal moment comes, he reacts quite differently from the other little geese. While the story is slight, the focus on Ollies childlike anticipation is right on target. Dunreas graceful ink drawings and beautiful washes offer an appealing alternative to more complex, but less satisfying Christmas picture books.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)