Petr Horáček

Suzy Goose is back in this second picture book adventure from expatriate Czech author/illustrator Petr Horáček, and she still isn't quite in step with her gaggle. Driven to distraction by all of the noise of her honking peers, she makes for the nearby woods to take a quiet walk. Little does she realize however, as she goes flip-flopping along, that a fox has begun to follow her, and a wolf has begun to follow the fox (and her), and a bear has begun to follow all three! Fortunately for our show more anserine heroine, an owl is also nearby, unexpectedly putting a stop to all of the hi-jinks...

After reading and enjoying Silly Suzy Goose, which introduced this individualistic bird who nevertheless benefits from being part of the group from time to time, I was fairly certain I would also like Look Out, Suzy Goose, especially as it features a fox—a creature for whom I have great fondness. I was not wrong, finding the story here lots of fun—I appreciated the use of sound words, and the humor of a series of animals tailing Suzy and one another—and the artwork vibrant and attractive. Horáček's use of color and motion in his mixed-media illustrations is on point, with the visuals here enhancing the humor of the story, as oblivious Suzy goes waddling along. Recommended to anyone who enjoyed the earlier book about Suzy, as well as to younger picture book readers who enjoy stories about silly creatures who manage to make their way through the world safely, despite the many dangers. show less

Suzy Goose longs to distinguish herself from her fellow geese in this amusing picture book from expatriate Czech author/illustrator Petr Horáček, trying out the sounds and mannerisms of many different kinds of animal. Eventually, her attempts at a lion's roar awaken and annoy a real lion, and Suzy discovers that sometimes it's better to be part of a group, than to stand alone...

I recently picked up Petr Horáček's Suzy Goose and the Christmas Star from my local library's Christmas show more display, thinking it looked like a charming holiday picture book. Discovering that it was in fact the third title devoted to the madcap adventures of this funny anserine heroine, I set it aside and requested the earlier books. I'm glad I did, as I found Silly Suzy Goose—the first book about this character—quite amusing, and beautifully illustrated. As someone who is a staunch proponent of individual liberty, but also of community and rationality, I am bemused by some of the online reviews I have read, criticizing this one as a pean to conformity, given the lines on the penultimate page, "Perhaps it is better to be just like everyone else, thought Suzy Goose..." Given that the following page shows Suzy once again making her "lion" roar, and reads "but not always,", it's clear that the message here is that community provides strength (there is strength in numbers), but that even when part of the group, there should still be room for individuality. This seems so clear to me, that I am at a loss to understand the criticism on this score. In any case, I found this one delightful, both for the amusing and ultimately thoughtful story, with its message about balancing community and individuality, and the bold, colorful artwork, so full of motion and fun. Recommended to picture book audiences who enjoy silly humor and fun. show less

Suzy Goose returns in this third picture book from expatriate Czech author/illustrator Petr Horáček, this time embarking on a Christmas adventure. As she and her friends, both in her gaggle and from the rest of the barnyard, decorate a Christmas tree, Suzy decides that a star is needed for the top, setting out to obtain the one shining in the sky. Unfortunately for our anserine heroine, this is easier said than done, but although she doesn't succeed, there is a happy ending after all, show more thanks to some Christmas magic...

Having greatly enjoyed the previous two tales about Suzy—Silly Suzy Goose and Look Out, Suzy Goose—I was fairly certain that I would likewise appreciate Suzy Goose and the Christmas Star, especially as it is the reason I sought these books out in the first place. I was not wrong. The narrative here was less humorous and more heartwarming than in the previous titles, which felt appropriate for a holiday story. The mixed-media artwork was every bit as vibrant—colorful, and full of motion. I think the visuals in these books really enhance the reading experience. With less engaging illustrations, these might be 3-star books for me—enjoyable but not stand-outs—but with the illustrations they really shine. Recommended to fans of Suzy, or to picture book readers in the mood for a Christmas tale featuring a somewhat silly but nevertheless goodhearted little goose. show less

A little blue penguin finds that he doesn't fit in with his peers in this charming picture book exploration of difference from expatriate Czech author/illustrator Petr Horáček. Isolated because he doesn't look like the others, the penguin is lonely, composing songs to a white whale he sees in his dreams, and longing for rescue. Then one day another little penguin hears his song, and being intrigued, eventually works up the courage to ask the blue penguin to teach it to her. This sets in show more motion a series of events which reintegrates the blue penguin back into his community, making the white whale (who does appear) unnecessary in the end...

Originally published in 2015 (2016 here in the states), Blue Penguin is the sixth book from Horáček that I have read. Like the others, it features absolutely gorgeous artwork, created in mixed media, that makes excellent use of color and movement, and grabs the reader's attention. The story was weaker, being sweet, but a bit simplistic in its envisioned resolution. This is, unfortunately, a characteristic of many such children's stories, in which difference is too easily overcome (see also: children's books about bullying). While this doesn't always reflect reality, I can see why it occurs, as the author no doubt hopes to offer an aspirational and inspirational tale, one which teaches the child to empathize with those different from himself, and to treat those others with kindness. The problem with this approach, of course, is that it is really addressed, not to the child experiencing the isolation or bullying (even when the main character is such a child), but to the children around him.

Despite this critique, I didn't loathe this one as much as some online reviewers, who seem determined to read it as an oblique treatment of racism and/or the transgender experience, and who are deeply dissatisfied with its deficiencies, as a result. While all readers are free to interpret as they wish, I think this is rather a case of trying to force the story into their own narratives (or perhaps just an expectation that all stories about difference should reflect their specific concerns), and their reviews felt like nothing so much as people arguing with themselves. It seems fairly clear from the note on the rear dust-jacket flap, which mentions a friend of Horáček who wasn't quite like other people, that what is being addressed here is a difference in temperament, represented visually with the color blue, rather than the identity-based differences these reviewers espy. However that may be, I'm glad to have read this one, because I am an admirer of Horáček's artwork. I don't know that I strongly recommend it, save to those like me, who are likewise admirers. show less