The Goose Who Got to Love

Title: The Goose Who Got to Love

Author: Amadeus Vultznick

Publisher: Amadeus Vultznick

Genre: Children's Fiction

My Review:

Henry the Goose Who Got to Love is written for children between the ages of 6-10, however, I think it would be better suited for children a bit older.

I didn't know I was lonely, I simply thought life was being alone.

This story had several deep points and moments of hopefulness. The author tells the message through the goose of finding love and acceptance, even though he is different. There are several good messages in the story.

 Then, suddenly it dawned on me, something I never forgot; life's not good or bad because it's actually good or bad—my perception of my life's what truly makes it good or bad.

I wanted to love this story but instead, I found it okay. The story itself holds a lot of promise but I struggled with it for several reasons. First, it's a children's book but there were NO pictures. Second, there is not any dialogue, just the story told from the goose's perspective, which would make it harder for children to read (and me, I LOVE dialogue). Third, there were a lot of word repetitions. Fourth, it had quite a few depressing scenes. It is more of a heavy read than a light read, again, not suitable for a six-year old child.

If I could make a suggestion to the author, it would be to add pictures to make the book more appealing. It just needs something to break up all the words.

Trigger warning: reference to drinking.

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to provide a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Synopsis (from Goodreads): 

In a sentence, it’s Ugly Duckling meets Puff the Magic Dragon and Toy Story, all hitching a ride on Old Man and the Sea's boat, captained by Dr. Phil and a fortune cookie, sailing an emotional sea healing a badly broken heart, while in the process instilling a smidge of closure to anyone who's ever been forced to give away a cherished family pet.

A touching story of hope, perseverance, forgiveness, optimism and love:

* Hope — teaching us no matter what disability we happen to be born with; we can overcome and triumph in the end.

* Perseverance — teaching us no matter how vicious and cruel the persecution and heartless unkind words during our youth; we will survive.

* Forgiveness — teaching us the power of forgiveness; giving us a hint of closure to the guilt many still carry from giving away their childhood pet.

* Optimism — teaching us no matter how dire life becomes; it's still our own perception of our life which makes it truly good or bad.

* Love — teaching us the journey through life surely won't be easy; but love truly conquers all.

An emotionally moving tale surrounding the power of forgiveness and love. A fictional account of a true story, told through the eyes of a childhood pet who's forgiven his best friend owner for growing up and giving him away; 'cause if not for him he'd have forfeited the greatest treasure in life — love — not just the happiness in being loved, most importantly the joy in giving love to someone else.

Henry graciously hosts you on his epic emotional journey to forgiveness and not careful you may actually catch yourself contemplating complex emotional advice from a goose who believes cars are scary metal monsters controlled by his best friend's magical powers.

The story swirls both happy and sad, inspiring and depressing, hope and despair all into one neat little package; relating life as it truly is without any candy shell — really, really happy and really, really sad. This may be one of the saddest happy stories you'll ever read!