Review & Giveaway: Daddy Honk Honk! by Rosalinde Bonnet

Publisher: Dial Books
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: May 9th, 2017
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | iTunes* | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

An arctic fox adopts a baby goose in this heartwarming read-aloud that's perfect for Father's Day
When Aput the fox finds an abandoned goose egg, he has no idea what's in store for him. He doesn't know anything about babies and he certainly doesn't know what to do when the gosling hatches and mistakes him for its daddy. So he decides to find the gosling a home. But with each page turn, Aput learns more about caring for a baby and, with a little help from his friends, he discovers what a baby needs most is love.

My Thoughts:

Oh, I love this book! I am so grateful that the publisher emailed me about reviewing this book and that I said yes. "Daddy Honk Honk" is a sweet, gentle, funny story about the formation of a family. It's a message story that doesn't read like one; the story takes precedence and the message is subtly woven in. What is the message? Oh, take your pick: families are chosen; a single male can be a good parent; all you need is love; babies need love; enemies can overcome and become friends. I mean, in the real world, foxes and geese are predator and prey but there's no hint of that in the story just concern for finding a family and a home for the baby goose.

I also love the mix of familiar and unfamiliar animals in the story. It serves as a nice introduction to animals and life on the Arctic tundra. My two year olds recognized that the musk ox was a cow, close enough. Lemmings look like mice, and most of them knew foxes, bears, and geese. Bonnet has taken so many threads and details and woven them into a delightful story that makes me smile every time and happily, my class of one and two year olds also enjoy it. Honestly, it's a little long for the one year olds but they like the illustrations and the silly and mischievous things that the gosling does (biting Aput's nose, climbing all over a walrus, annoying the polar bear). My two year olds enjoy the whole package.

Aput accidentally winds up with an abandoned baby goose in his care and though the baby immediately gloms on Aput as his daddy, Aput flat out tells him, "You're a cutie, but I am not your daddy you know." And then the baby bites his nose. :D Being a good-hearted fox, Aput sets out to find the baby a home among his friends. None are able to help but they do offer advice and suggestions - keep the baby warm, feed it healthy food, lots of sleep, and keep a close eye on it at all times. Along the way, Aput's feelings change and he accepts that yes, he is the baby's father. The book ends on a sweet scene with Aput's friends welcoming the baby and celebrating the new family.

"Daddy Honk Honk" is simply a gorgeous and delightful book that I recommend to everyone with children or who cares for them. I expect it will become a classic.

The publisher is giving away the following to 1 US reader:

1. 1 set of four magnets
2. 1 button
3. 4 prints (2x9”)
4.   deluxe print (2x9”)
5. 1 book

 To enter, just comment below, with an email address where I can reach you. The giveaway will end May 15th at 11:59PM ET/