Begin with the opening end papers. Geese are happily playing in their pond. Some are laughing, some are soaking up the warm rays of sunshine and some are 'duck diving' for fish with their little bottoms up in the air. It is such a happy scene. Lucy loves her pond. It is her home. On this pond she has learned how to jump from a rock and how to wiffle her wings for a landing on water. Time is passing, however, and her mother explains soon all the geese will need to fly to another country.
The day finally arrives. The flock fly away but Lucy is left behind.
"Lucy Goosey swam around in lonely little circles."
Of course her mother has not deserted Lucy. Her mother comes back and talks to Lucy about her fear of leaving.
"What if I loose my way in the misty moisty clouds?"
"What if I am caught in a storm and get tossed into the tree tops?"
"What if I get tired and fall into the cold, dark sea?"
Her mother assures Lucy she will keep her safe.
Then it is Lucy's turn to reassure her mother that she, Lucy, will take also take care of her mother even when she is old.
On the final end paper we see mother and daughter flying away across the wide blue sky.
This book is utterly delicious to read aloud. The language is perfect, the emotional arc is very satisfying and the illustrations are almost tactile. It is one of my all time favourite picture books.I have read this book aloud to young children hundreds of times. It never looses its charm or magic. The reassurance by the mother goose and the role reversal when Lucy reassures her mother delight me with every reading. Here is an interview with Ann James where she talks about creating Lucy Goosey.
I would pair Lucy Goosey with Puffling, Little Humpty, Little home Bird and Can't you sleep Little Bear?
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