The legend of the Storm Goose

K-Gr 3--A gentle, devastating story about the power of legends and hope. Erin's father is a fisherman, and whenever he is not at sea he tells her stories. Her favorite is the legend of the Storm Goose, a magical white bird, with a crown of stars, that watches over and protects all the fishermen at sea. One day during a terrible storm, a huge white bird washes up onto the shore, exhausted and injured. Erin and her grandmother care for the bird, but Erin is distraught. If this is the Storm Goose, then who is watching over her father? This is a bittersweet story that takes place on a windswept and wild coastline. Richly textured illustrations of the characters, who have pale skin and dark hair (although Nana's is white) are set against complex and beguiling images of thundering waves and roiling clouds. The narrative explores the power of stories to help navigate pain and sadness. VERDICT Readers will follow Erin as she discovers her own strength and courage in caring for a creature that needs her help. Recommended for larger collections.--Laken Hottle

Love and loss mark this story of a girl who awaits her father's return from his adventures at sea. Erin loves the stories her Papa tells her, especially the one about the Storm Goose. This powerful and vigilant bird with its "crown of stars" watches over him when he sails the sea. After waiting many days for her Papa to return from his latest boat expedition, Erin sees a large white bird caught in a net and wonders momentarily if it could be the legendary goose, Papa's "magical protector," but decides it can't possibly be. Nevertheless, Erin and her grandmother, as they await Papa's return to the shore, tend to the bird and bring it back to health. Erin gradually begins to realize who the bird is and why he came to shore. This poignant story with its evocative prose ("Two birds danced through burning puddles of sun") is amplified by luscious and textured illustrations in which swirling blues conjure the stormy sea. Juxtaposed against this stormy background are the depictions of the milky white bird, always the visual focal point. He symbolizes strength and protection. Erin, Papa, and her grandmother, with their oversized eyes and heads, look somewhat like caricatures and too much like Kewpie dolls to effectively add to the otherwise powerful ambiance of the illustrations. All characters present White. Lovely and delicate. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.