In Duck & Goose (2005), the characters became friends after tussling over a soccer ball. Here, their friendship is tested with another duck. Goose likes to meander through the meadow, but Duck's new friend, Thistle, has a competitive edge; she shows off her math skills, challenges Goose to a breath-holding contest, and proves she can stand on her head longer than anyone else. Duck is delighted, but Goose is worn out. The narrative doesn't really explain why Duck, after exhibiting such pleasure in Thistle, turns on her (though given the rather long text, Thistle's pushy enthusiasm may tire the audience, as well). Nevertheless, Duck finally seeks out Goose, and together they allow Thistle to win a new contest: she falls asleep first, and they go to play. The intrusive friend is a children's book staple, but here it plays out with cute rubber ducky like characters, who exemplify what real kids feel. Sunny colors add to the appeal. Pair with Diane de Groat's Last One in Is a Rotten Egg (2007), about a competitive cousin.

Although Duck and Goose are good friends, Duck's new friend, Thistle, causes friction. Goose quickly tires of Thistle's endless contests to prove she's the best. Eventually Duck agrees, and the two trick Thistle into demonstrating she's the greatest napper. The characters are rendered in playful oil-paint illustrations that evoke springtime, and the varied design adds visual interest.

Hooray! Duck and Goose are back. The two young avian chums have been running through the meadow, watching clouds and partaking of other leisurely pursuits, but when Duck brings a newcomer named Thistle into the mix, everything changes. Thistle is one competitive duck, and after a series of contests in which the boastful Thistle is the inevitable winner, a frustrated Goose wanders off to look for butterflies. Duck searches for and eventually finds Goose, and the two commiserate: While they admire Thistle's prowess, they would rather play just for fun. After engaging the intrepid Thistle in a napping contest, which she, exhausted from her busy day, naturally wins, Duck and Goose are free to kick their ball in peace. One hopes that in the next installment, Thistle may learn a thing or two, but at least Duck and Goose have figured out how to handle her. The charming illustrations portray this tale of friendship perfectly, and the text, reminiscent of The Story of Ferdinand, is, like Hills's first in the series, energetic, appealing and filled with warmth. (Picture book. 3-6)

In this sequel to <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">Duck & Goose, a domineering girl duckling threatens the friendship between the boyish title characters. As the drama begins, Goose stands in a marsh, waiting expectantly for Duck. He cannot wait to show Duck the blue butterfly that has alighted on his head. Duck, meanwhile, is planning his own show-and-tell. "Just wait until Goose meets Thistle," he thinks as he and a new friend visit "all his and Goose's favorite spots... the lily pond and the shady thicket." When Duck and Thistle race up to Goose, Thistle frightens the butterfly and boasts, "once, <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">three butterflies landed on my head at the same time!... That's two more butterflies than you had!" Thistle challenges Goose to races and a handstand contest, winning with ease; Duck is impressed, Goose feels dejected, and Thistle pirouettes proudly. In sunny oil paintings of green grass and blue sky, Hills depicts the overeager newcomer proving herself and driving a wedge between the pals. His tale echoes Kevin Henkes's <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">Chester's Way, however this third wheel is not just assertive but obnoxious; Thistle is unlikable and, more generally, an off-putting portrait of a bratty, oblivious girl. Duck and Goose reconcile and get some peace by challenging Thistle to a napping contest ("I'm the fastest faller asleeper ever!" she proclaims), then the buddies play while she sleeps. However, silencing the bully is but a temporary fix. The book points out a common dilemma, leaving readers to strategize solutions. Ages 3-7. <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">(Jan.)

PreS-Gr 2-Three's a crowd in this follow-up to Duck & Goose (Random, 2006). Duck is smitten with his new friend, Thistle, who claims to be the fastest, smartest, strongest duck around. Goose is not as enthusiastic about the newcomer. At first he gamely tries to participate in her incessant contests, but eventually he wanders off sadly to look for butterflies by himself. A worried Duck follows him, and the reunited companions agree that they prefer their usual quiet activities to Thistle's manic pursuits. Accordingly, they trick her into winning a napping contest and then gratefully sneak off to play by themselves. While the story provides an interesting and lighthearted exploration of the issue of loyalty between friends, the resolution seems problematic. What will happen when Thistle wakes up? Will the three of them work out a way to play together? Will Thistle be excluded, or will Duck be pressured into participating in her games again? Perhaps these questions could open a class (or family) discussion about relationships. In any case, Hills's gauzy oil paintings of a hazy, sunlit landscape and endearing animals make this a book worth lingering over with a good pal.-Rachael Vilmar, Atlanta Fulton Public Library, GA Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.