Gus

Gossie and Friends

by Olivier Dunrea

Gus loves to be by himself. He explores the whole barnyard, taking in the world around him all on his own. Until he finds three small eggs. His perfect companions might be inside! How long will they take to hatch?

The latest character to join Olivier Dunrea's growing gaggle of adorable goslings has a self-assured independence that preschoolers are sure to identify with!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, Adventure, Storytime, Birds

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 3, 2015

About the author

Since his debut in 1983, author and illustrator Olivier Dunrea has created a steady stream of picture books, including concept books, stories of family life—modern and ancient—and stories about artists. Many of Dunrea's picture books testify to his love of animals and his interest in archaeology and folklore of the British Isles, and several—including Ravena, The Trow-Wife's Treasure, and Bear Noel—take place in a similar land of Dunrea's own creation: the mythic island of Moel Eyris. "I don't write books or make pictures for children," Dunrea once told Something About the Author (SATA). "I make them for myself. It just so happens that children like what I do as much as I do!"

Olivier (Jean-Paul Dominique) Dunrea (1953-) Biography - Personal, Career, Member, Writings, Sidelights

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gus is an inquisitive little duckling, who likes to be and explore by himself. This book is quiet, and simple, but tells a big story. Everything works.
#Wintergames #teamreadnosereindeer +16

[Villa Park Public Library]

Gus, a small yellow gosling, likes to be by himself. He is quite an observant gosling who finds fascination in the smallest of things. His quiet intensity allows him to discover many wonders of nature including a spider spinning a web and a turtle digging a hole. Find out what leads to Gus ultimately breaking his solitude.

This is a captivating, lovely illustrated early reader that helps us learn the merits of being present and sensitive to the beauty and wonder found in everyday experiences.

Check this book out at the Villa Park Public Library!:
https://catalog.swanlibraries.net/client/en_US/vpd/search/detailnonmodal/ent:$002f$002fSD_ILS$002f0$002fSD_ILS:2074826/ada?qu=gus&lm=VPD

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gus loves exploring. While exploring he comes across 3 turtle eggs and proceeds to hatch them and then has 3 companions. 3/23/15

I think this was the first book picked at PJ Story Time. 4/7/15

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Dunrea's illustrations. So simple and sweet. And Gus's eyes when the eggs move! Too cute!! Even better that it's a story about an introvert who's OK with being alone and watching the world. Good for those quiet, observant kids in your groups.

For a storytime, it's a little simple for my older preschoolers and almost-kindergarteners, but the younger ones would enjoys this (and the whole Gossie series, really!). I might use Gus's story for a theme on watching nature or eggs hatching/baby birds (or turtles!), though the small size of the books might make it more challenging. As a one-on-one read, though, this is perfect.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gus is a small yellow gosling who likes to be alone.

Gus enjoys quietly observing the world around him, especially the other animals and insects. When he discovers three eggs, he decides to hatch, and the result of his patient waiting is three new friends.

This is a picture book for introverts. Any child who is shy and quiet, enjoying observation and introspection, will relate to Gus.

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

A delightful book for children. Gus is a quiet, thoughtful and curious gosling (just like some of our children can be). He enjoys exploring and is content being on his own... Until he sees a turtle. The story is complemented so well by the illustrations. My daughter really enjoyed this book and it's great to see there are others in the series for her to explore.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a cute book about a duck named Gus. I really love the illustrations, but I think I just expected something different from this book so to me the story was alright. I'm also on the fence on how it ended. I can't decide if I like the ending or not (the last sentence of the book).

SPOILERS AHEAD:

Gus likes to be alone, but then he ends up taking care of these baby turtles.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gus is a small yellow gosling who prefers to be alone, when he is exploring and looking for adventure. While out exploring the world around him, Gus notices that a turtle has buried something. Gus finds that the turtle has buried three small eggs. Gus stays with the eggs until they hatch, and finds the perfect companions to explore with.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tale for introverts!!! I thought this was an adorable story! Not sure how anyone could sit quietly for 50 days while the eggs incubated, but what a great lesson on the value of being still and waiting. And the illustrations rocked! Highly recommended.

[Cheriee Weichel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this little board book more than my granddaughter did, but maybe it was just not the right time for her. Gus is a thoughtful loner spending his time watching the world around him. Then he discovers something that changes his life.

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gus explores the world around him. He checks out different items around him and the area that he lives in. He checks out the water, the turtle and what the turtle was sitting on. I enjoy having this book to read to my younger children so they know that it is okay to explore the world around them.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about how Gus the gosling explores. I really enjoy the illustrations of the other animals he explores, especially the turtle and the snail. I also thought it was funny that Gus sat on the turtle eggs until they hatched.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gus "Gus is a small yellow gosling who likes to be himself."
 
OH MY GOD. GUS IS SO CUTE AND I AM DEAD.
 

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Odd storyline

[Joy Keil · Rating 5 out of 5]

This whole series is just incredibly well done.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

My least favorite in the series, but I still enjoyed it.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

So so adorable.

[Maeve · Rating 3 out of 5]

While Gus is out exploring, he spots a turtle laying her eggs. Gus sits on top of the eggs and patiently waits until they hatch...and meets three tiny turtles!

[E & E’s Mama · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elliot loves the Gossie & Friends series, though this is not one he requested too often compared to others he’s loved. It’s about little Gus’ adventure and how he helped some baby turtles hatch

[Miss Pippi the Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

2024 storytime theme: Olivier Dunrea gosling books

Reviewed from a library copy.

[Klaudia Janek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gus is a gosling who wears a metal measuring cup on his head as a hat. He likes to explore by himself. He watches spiders weave webs, mice scamper around, turtles and fish swim. Gus watches a turtle dig a hole. Gus goes to the hole and realizes there are 3 eggs in the hole. Now Gus feels responsible for keeping them warm. One day the eggs move and the turtles hatch. Gus made some new friends. It’s not always fun to be alone.

Another adorable addition to the Gossie & Friends series. Dunrea’s style is easily recognizable to his fans. The artwork has plain, simple backgrounds, but the characters themselves help the story along. You can sense the excitement that the illustrations are meant to convey. It’s a good message to young readers to go out there and explore the world around you. Sometimes it’s good to do it alone and sometimes it’s nice to have a friend.

I would definitely recommend this book to Pre-K school libraries. They will cultivate series readers from an early age. They make for beautiful animal book displays and will fly off the shelves if you show them to your emerging readers. These books come across as gentle, fun, curious books. They also tend to be small books, so they are perfect for little hands.

[K Morlando · Rating 4 out of 5]

We love Gossie and friends books.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gus is an inquisitive gosling that likes to be by himself. As Gus inquisitively discovers his world, he happens upon three small eggs. Gus carefully sits on the eggs and until they hatch. Gus then learns something new about himself.
This is an enjoyable little book about a cute little gosling. Gus will waddle his way into your heart.

[Christine D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! I do declare, Olivier Dunrea can do no wrong when it comes to Gossie and Friends :)

[Elsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable.

[South Country Library Children's Department · Rating 2 out of 5]

Still love his illustrations, but this feels like a weak rehash of his Gossie and Gertie books. I do hope he keeps writing and illustrating though.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gus likes to be alone to explore his world with great curiosity.

Good for toddler storytimes.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore these books!

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this little gosling character who likes to be alone.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

ADORABLE.

Quiet and gentle explorer, that Gus. Super sweet.