GOOSEBERRY GOOSE

The clear light of autumn breezes through these pages, as Gooseberry Goose practices landing, taking off, gliding, and doing loop-the-loops. His buddies barely have time to watch his flying practice, however, as Mouse is making his nest warm for the winter, Squirrel is gathering acorns, and Beaver has to finish his dam. Gooseberry is beginning to worry that he should be doing something to prepare for winter, too, when his mama gently reminds him that by practicing his flying, he is getting ready for the long journey south. Cabban’s animal folk are neatly portrayed and anthropomorphized, and Gooseberry’s joy in flying is nicely done. English author and illustrator capture a certain openhearted Brit approach to animal stories that is very attractive, and the double-spread, full-bleed pictures are full of sky and leaf. (Picture book. 4-7)