Goose Goes to School

Just a few months after debuting in Goose (Feb. 2015), Sophie and her pet goose return in what turns out to be something of a waterfowl-based twist on “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” Goose can’t accompany Sophie to school (Wall shows the pigtailed girl standing on a chair to pack her backpack as Goose stares solemnly at her), but “on the way to school, Sophie thinks she hears flappy footsteps behind her.” A bit of hide-and-seek follows, with Goose avoiding the teacher and playing with Sophie and her friends at recess. Understated humor and emotionally telegraphic illustrations make this a fine pick for young students who are missing their pets—whatever species they might be. Ages 4–8. (June)