GOAT IS THE G.O.A.T.

Goat hopes to be worthy of the titular acronym.

A gray-coated, blue-eyed goat, first seen on the title page munching greenery up in an apple tree, overhears some barnyard residents speaking admiringly. “He’s the G.O.A.T.,” they say, “Greatest of all time!” Goat, listening around the corner, doesn’t realize that the object of their praise is a blue-ribbon-wearing bull on a poster. Goat is delighted to be appreciated, imagining a trophy, a parade, some yummy confetti. “But…what makes me the greatest?” Goat wonders. Could it be that he is the fastest of all time? Actually, the dappled horse is faster. Strongest? The donkey is demonstrably stronger. Greatest leader, loudest, farthest spitter, highest jumper, muddiest, fuzziest? None of these. Goat is not even the bravest! The farm denizens (sheep, border collie, llama, frog, pig, rooster, cat, mouse) in this sequence have lively, friendly, earnest animal faces. But when a trio of cats strand themselves in a tree, Goat has the talent (tree-climbing) and resources (a strong head and sturdy horns) to rescue them. So, maybe not greatest of all time, but certainly greatest for today. Murphy’s lighthearted, sunny, full-color illustrations and humorous details convey a busy, happy farm. The very youngest listeners might not get the wordplay, but they will be cheering for Goat.

Nicely paced, funny, and appealing, and full of optimism and goodwill.