{"id":36750,"date":"2019-10-19T21:35:50","date_gmt":"2019-10-20T01:35:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=36750"},"modified":"2019-10-19T21:35:50","modified_gmt":"2019-10-20T01:35:50","slug":"review-of-once-upon-a-goat-by-dan-richards-illustrated-by-eric-barclay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=36750","title":{"rendered":"Review of Once Upon a Goat, by Dan Richards, illustrated by Eric Barclay"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Once Upon a Goat<\/em><\/p>\n

by Dan Richards
\npictures by Eric Barclay<\/p>\n

Alfred A. Knopf, 2019. 32 pages.
\nStarred Review
\nReview written September 10, 2019, from a library book<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a silly twist on a fairy tale pulled off with just the right humorous touch.<\/p>\n

The book opens with a king and queen who wish for a child.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but where would we put it?\u201d asked the king.
\n\u201cNext to the vase on the hearth, naturally,\u201d replied the queen.
\n\u201cOr beside the roses in the garden,\u201d the king added.
\n\u201cOh, yes. Perfect,\u201d agreed the queen.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

When their fairy godmother shows up, they tell her about their wishes.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not particular,\u201d said the queen. \u201cGlowing skin, bright eyes, and hair like ocean waves should do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm . . . ,\u201d said their fairy godmother.
\n\u201cA boy would be great,\u201d added the king. \u201cBut any kid will do.\u201d
\n\u201cOf course,\u201d answered their fairy godmother. \u201cLook on your doorstep when the moon is full.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

At the next full moon, they eagerly look outside \u2013 and a little goat is sitting there! The king realizes he shouldn\u2019t have said that any kid would do. They try to send the goat away, but it\u2019s a blustery night, and they bring him in for just one night\u2026 and the night turns into many more.<\/p>\n

The illustrations are a huge part of the fun as the little kid enjoys the run of the palace and the palace guards keep their faces stoic. And we\u2019ve got more to the story when the fairy godmother comes back.<\/p>\n

I can\u2019t read this book without smiling.<\/p>\n

danrichardsbooks.com<\/a>
\nericbarclay.com<\/a>
\nrhcbooks.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy from Amazon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Find this review on Sonderbooks<\/a> at: www.sonderbooks.com\/Picture_Books\/once_upon_a_goat.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and will earn a small percentage if you order a book on Amazon after clicking through from my site.<\/p>\n

Source: This review is based on a library book from Fairfax County Public Library.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but I maintain my website and blogs on my own time. The views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.<\/p>\n

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