"The Golden Goose"

Author: Dennis McDermott
Illustrator: Dennis McDermott
Awards: none
Ages: Kindergarten- 2nd Grade

Pineapple Points: 3/5
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Summary:
A poor woodsman had three sons. The eldest son packed a small lunch and set out to cut down the biggest tree in hopes of gaining the attention of the king. Along his journey he encountered a troll who begged for a bit of food in exchange for a secret about the tree and the boy refused. The boy swung his ax and it broke and landed on his head. The next day the second son set out to chop down this tree. He also had the same results. Finally, the father made the youngest son, who had no desire to cut down the tree or win favor of the king, go to learn how to chop down this tree. The young boy, Hans, sat beneath the tree admiring the beautiful day and sat to eat his small meal. He noticed the troll and offered half of his food. The thankful troll told Hans that he would have the strength to chop down the tree and that there would be something very special within it because Han's was kind. He chopped down the tree and discovered the princess's missing golden goose that had been imprisoned in the tree by a fairy witch. Han's was willing to return the goose and declined the award that was offered by the goose. The two set off in the direction of the castle. Along the way, a milkmaid tried to pluck a golden feather from the duck and consequently got stuck and had to be drug along to the castle too. In fact, anyone who was to touch someone who was in contact with the golden goose was stuck and had to parade along with the goose's caravan. The goose was returned to the princess and the spell was broken. The king gave Han's his daughter's hand in marriage and everyone lived happily ever after.

Evaluation:
This book is sweet and it teaches the value of humility and charity, but the plot is very imaginative to a fault. Things seemed to have happened for no reason after Han's cut down the tree. Yes, I would have this on my classroom shelf for my students in kindergarten to second grade to free read, but I wouldn't necessarily use it in a lesson. The book is set during the times of monarchy's, and presents many cultural examples of that period. The book could be used in a social studies unit about monarchies.