Come Back, Gosling

By Author / Illustrator

Anne Booth, illus David Litchfield

Genre

Friends and family

Age range(s)

Publisher

Templar Books

ISBN

9781800783072

Format

Hardback

Published

05-06-2025

Synopsis

From the creative duo behind A Shelter for Sadness and The Boy, the Troll and the Chalk comes a heartwarming picture book about friendship, flying and the joy of sharing books.

Once upon a time, there was a little girl and a gosling who loved each other very much - and loved reading books together even more. But one day, there is a book the girl will not share. Before Gosling can peek inside, she slams the book shut and says: "I don't like this book. Let's play something else." When their new book mysteriously disappears, the girl and the gosling's friendship is put to the test. Then one night, Gosling finds the missing book and leaves. Will the girl be able to put things right before it's too late?

This reassuring story teaches children that honesty and trust are what help friendships fly and is effortlessly brought to life by David Litchfield's atmospheric scenes and Anne Booth's warm and rich storytelling. The perfect bookshelf companion to The Duck Who Didn't Like Water, I'm Sticking With You and Pip & Egg.

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Reviews

Jen

Have you ever loved something so much you never want that time to end? Well that's how the girl in the story feels. She loved her Gosling so much, but when she discovers in her library book how quickly geese grow up and that they fly away for the winter, she refuses to share the information with Gosling. However, Gosling soon discovers it for himself. Will the girl ever see her Gosling again?

Come Back, Gosling is a great book about change and moving on. It will teach young children that although things might change and look different, love and fun are still there. I am planning on reading this on 'move up' day in school. Firstly to those who are coming from reception (four and five-year-olds) and visiting Year 1. Then later to the Year 1 children (five and six-year-olds) who have just visited year 2. I think it will calm some worries.

The illustrations are beautiful. I love how the seasons change with the tree. Gosling is such a loveable, adorable character; he is instantly recognisable even when he grows up. A beautiful book with hidden depth.

Picture book / Reviewed by Jen Bevan, teacher