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Gozzle

By Julia Donaldson and Sara Ogilvie

A lost egg hatches into a surprising family—but can Gozzle become Bear’s perfect little cub?

heartwarming humorous charming joyous

Pageticker community rating

Average score: 4.71

From 42 readers

What do our readers think of Gozzle? (Generated from the text of reviews of the book)

There are not enough reviews to summarise yet.

What does the Pageticker team say about Gozzle?

We love the warmth and gentle humour of this unusual family story, in which a bear and a gosling learn that belonging is built through love and care rather than appearance. Sara Ogilvie’s expressive illustrations bring Bear and Gozzle’s growing bond to life, while the changing seasons add a satisfying sense of time and discovery. It is especially well suited to shared reading with children aged 2–6.

Genres

Animals Friendship/Family

What is Gozzle about?

In springtime, Bear awakens to find a lost egg outside his cave. Instead of breakfast, he gains a new companion when Gozzle, a charming gosling, hatches and believes Bear is her daddy. Determined to emulate Bear, Gozzle tries climbing trees, digging, and even developing a taste for honey. This delightful picture book follows their journey from strangers to family, exploring themes of belonging and love.

About the author

Julia Donaldson is a much-loved British author who has written many wonderful books for children. She is best known for creating 'The Gruffalo', a story about a clever mouse and a magical creature. Julia often works with illustrator Axel Scheffler to bring her fun and imaginative stories to life.

Discussion ideas around Gozzle

What makes a family?: Bear and Gozzle look very different, so what helps them become a family?

Learning who you are: Why does Gozzle try to climb, dig and eat honey like Bear, and what helps her understand herself better?

Home and belonging: What does home seem to mean to Bear and Gozzle, and where do you feel most at home?

Growing and changing: How do the changing seasons affect Bear and Gozzle’s lives and their relationship?

Caring for others: Bear does not expect to become a parent, so what can the story teach us about looking after someone new?

Pages

48 pages

Reading age

Picture Book (2-7)

This edition

2025

First published

2025

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