Silly Suzy Goose: Petr Horacek

Suzy Goose may look like your average white goose with an orange bill and feet, but she has a big imagination. She can see the merits of being all sorts of other animals:

If I were a giraffe, I could S T R E T C H up high.

But she can see the merits of just being herself as well.

With cut-paper and collage illustrations which are pleasingly reminiscent of Eric Carle, this sturdy board book is filled with examples of animals and common action words and sounds associated with them. It's longer than average at 17 pages (32 spreads) and is suggested for ages 1 to 3.

Also see Lorie Ann's review of this book in her June 15th post. We reviewed the same book without realizing each other had chosen it. I think this speaks well for this book.

Silly Suzy Goose
Petr Horacek, author-illustrator
board book
Candlewick Press, 2006

~ reviewed by Joan Holub, author

Petr Horacek: Silly Suzy Goose

Suzy Goose doesn't like to be just like everybody else. Who does? Wouldn't it be great to flap like a bat, squawk like a toucan, or slide like a penguin? Suzy compares herself to animals throughout the world and finds she comes up short, repeatedly. Until she compares herself to a lion and discovers it might be helpful to appear just like every other goose!

Petr Horacek's text and illustrations for Silly Suzy Goose are fresh and delightful. The theme of wanting to stand apart is handled in a new way that will engage your totz through the various large type verbs and mixed media illustrations. From watercolor to collage, Suzy's story is brilliant in color. The plot is well-paced and varied compositions contribute to the fun beat.

I really enjoyed how Suzy incorporated her discoveries and experiences into her life and grew. All of this in a board book with wonderful humor! Enjoy Silly Suzy Goose!

Silly Suzy Goose
by Petr Horacek
Candlewick Press, 2009