Tad Hills

Best friends Duck and Goose go to the beach in this third picture book chronicling their adventures together. Initially led by Duck, who wants adventures and excitement, while Goose tags along reluctantly, pining for home, the tables are turned when they actually reach the shore and see the water. Then it is Goose who charges ahead, delighting in the water and sand, and leading his friend...

Although the third Duck & Goose picture book produced by author/illustrator Tad Hills, Duck & Goose Go show more to the Beach is the fourth I have read, having already enjoyed the fourth and final one, Duck & Goose: Honk! Quack! Boo!, as well as one of the accompanying board books, Duck & Goose: Find a Pumpkin. Like many of the other titles about these characters, it pairs an entertaining, humorous and heartwarming tale with lovely illustrations, created using oil paint. I appreciated the way each friend had a turn to lead, with Duck's eagerness to explore setting off the adventure, and Goose's determination to experience the water continuing it. There is a wonderful sense of humor in these books, and a gentle sense of two individual characters who nevertheless make a (mostly) harmonious whole. Recommended to picture book readers who have read other stories about this pair, or who are looking for friendship stories and tales about summer days at the seashore. show less

Those fowl friends Duck and Goose go on the hunt for a pumpkin in this sweetly amusing board book from author/illustrator Tad Hills. Seeing their friend Thistle with one of these gourds, they decide they must have one of their own, looking in all kinds of unlikely places until a helpful suggestion points them to the pumpkin patch...

Having read and enjoyed three of the picture books about this anatine duo, I immediately snatched up Duck & Goose: Find a Pumpkin when I saw it on an autumn show more display at the library. I enjoy these characters, and I love fall colors and themes, so I knew I would appreciate it. How right I was, finding the simple story amusing—the ending, in which the friends decide they are excellent hunters, was particularly droll—and the artwork, which is done in oil paint, bright and appealing. Recommended to fans of these characters, and to anyone looking for autumn or pumpkin-themed board books. show less

Those two fowl friends, Duck and Goose, return in this second picture-book devoted to their adventures, this time contending with the introduction of a third bird - a new duck named Thistle - to their social circle. At first enthralled by the newcomer, Duck is oblivious to her boasting ways. But when Goose gets tired of her company and wanders off alone, suddenly Duck realizes that he too isn't really enjoying the competitive games favored by his anatine fellow...

Like Duck & Goose, which show more introduced these two winsome friends, Duck, Duck, Goose pairs an engaging and ultimately heartwarming story with beautiful, vibrantly colorful artwork. I liked the message, implicit in the story here, that there needs to be a balance between more active, competitive activities and more contemplative, peaceful ones, in the play of young people. Sometimes you need to stop and smell the flowers, or play a game without worrying about who wins or loses. Recommended to anyone who enjoyed the first Duck & Goose story, or anyone looking for picture-books about friendship and the social dynamics of play. show less

Rocket the puppy and his reading tutor, the little yellow bird, return in this sweet follow up to How Rocket Learned to Read. Now a confirmed bibliophile and story lover, Rocket collects words, bringing them back to the bird and helping to create a word tree with her. Eventually, he decides that he would like to write a story of his own, taking inspiration from a pine tree, the nest it holds, and the owl who makes her home in the nest.

Every bit as engaging as its predecessor, Rocket Writes a show more Story pairs an entertaining and ultimately heartwarming tale of a young puppy learning the ins and outs of story-writing with cute-as-a-button illustrations. Author/artist Tad Hills captures both the pleasure and challenge of writing in his narrative, while his artwork, created with oil paint and colored pencils, depicts his canine hero's changing emotional state perfectly. Recommended to anyone who enjoyed the story of how Rocket learned to read, as well as to those looking for engaging tales about the trials and tribulations of learning to write. show less