Once she understands that they expect her to be scared, and in fact, they expect her to run away so they can chase her, Lucie wastes no time in informing them how silly that would be. And actually, would they like to come and have tea and cake with her instead?
This book is engrossing from start to finish. It is impossible not to be drawn in by the vibrantly beautiful and bold front cover, and you will only find yourself to be further delighted by Pippa Curnick's quirkily detailed fairy tale style illustrations. My heart however, was well and truly captured by the frank conversational tone Danny Baker has woven throughout the text, text that almost dares you to resist using big dramatic voices for each of the wonderfully charming characters.
Every page of Curnick's illustration is deceptively detailed, offering up layer upon layer to the story with each and every reading, without being too busy or overwhelming. The visual literacy displayed in this book is compelling, my two littlies (and I!) were extremely chuffed to discover the clues subtly woven throughout. We chatted for ages about the story development taking place in the background to the text, such an amazing early literacy experience for a yet-to-read 4 year old and his learning-to-read 6 year old sister.
Lucie Goose is straight up picture book perfection. I borrowed it from the library, read it every evening for a week straight and still felt the urgent need to go and purchase my very own copy despite promises to the husband that I am "definitely cutting back on picture book purchases this year, as I can just borrow them from the library!". Though, once you read it, I'm pretty sure you'll agree that you would have done the same...
Author: Danny Baker
Illustrator: Pippa Curnick
Publisher: Hachette Children's Group, $26.99
Publication Date: 14 November 2017
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781444937398
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book