Goose in a Hole - Softcover

Judith Kerr was born in Berlin, the daughter of a distinguished German writer. She left Germany with her family in 1933 to escape the Nazis and they arrived in England in 1936, having spent the intervening years in Switzerland and France. She is married to Nigel Kneale and they have two children

PreSchool-Grade 2–When the water in the village pond disappears into a hole, Katerina the goose leads her family down it to find a new pool. At the same time, the mayor is having plumbing problems, while the townspeople are concerned about the water's disappearance. Only little Millie Buswell worries about her favorite goose. Meanwhile, the geese follow the water underground, surfacing through a storm sewer into a fountain and then to the hippo pool at the zoo. Children will foresee what happens next when Millie is pictured in the mayor's loo. The parallel story lines of the geese and the humans flow smoothly into a satisfying ending. The soft, colored-pencil drawings track Katerina and her goslings on their underground adventure, while the townspeople work to refill the pond. Kerr uses a minimum of lines to express a wide range of emotions–puzzlement, concern, curiosity, confidence, sadness, and joy. Simple details add dimension to the story. Foxes, rabbits, and moles live along the geese's route. Worms, ladybugs, and other soil dwellers crawl in the dirt. A playful cat chases a frog across several pages. Children will enjoy sharing this delightful adventure one-on-one or in a small group.–Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH
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