THE LONELY GOOSE

A Canada goose experiences love, loss, and, once more, joy.

A male goose courts a female. The two become inseparable, making a nest, raising goslings, migrating with their flock, and returning again and again to the same spot to rear their young over the years. But one day, the male goose starts to fade. He dies, and his mate remains behind, alone, when the rest of the flock flies south for the winter. As the seasons pass, she slowly starts to engage with the world again and finds a new and different chance at love. Realistic illustrations and simple yet elegant text keep the story grounded. Rooting her work in the everyday habits and behavior of Canada geese, Nargi never anthropomorphizes or veers toward the overly sentimental; the female goose’s emotions feel well earned. Though the death of the male is understated, it rings especially true, as do the portrayals of the female waiting and watching other animals returning in the spring. Nargi and Hunter offer a gentle but genuine depiction of loss and recovery. Wrapping up with backmatter containing further information on Canada geese, this is a clear, engaging, and empathetic introduction to these animals.

An effective and moving meditation on grief and hope.