The Golden Goose

Shulevitz, U., Grimm, W., & Grimm, J.
(1995). The Goldem Goose. New York:
Farrar Straus Giroux.

The Golden Goose
Originally published in German by the Brothers Grimm
Retold and illustrated by Uri Shulevitz
Published by Farrar Straus Giroux
New York, New York
1995
32 pages

A man has three sons. The first two sons go out into the forest to cut wood. They are approached by an old man who says he is hungry and asks for some of the boys' cake. Both boys refuse. One wounds his arm and the other wounds his leg when they go to chop down the tree. The third brother, a simpleton (a foolish or gullible person), goes out into the forest to cut wood. Instead of sending him with cake, his mother sends him with dry bread. The same man asks to share the simpleton's bread, and the simpleton happily obliges. The old man tells the simpleton to cut down the tree, for under it, he will find good luck. Under the tree, the simpleton finds a golden goose. He goes to an inn to stay the night and the innkeeper's three daughters try to steal a golden feather from the goose. When the first daughter goes in and touches the goose, she becomes stuck. The second daughter goes in to try to detach her sister - she gets stuck too. The third daughter suffers the same fate, and so they are all stuck to the simpleton and his goose. In the morning the simpleton leaves the inn with the three sisters following behind. On the way, they meet many other people who also become stuck to their ever-growing parade. When they come to a city, they find out that the king has proclaimed that whoever can make his daughter laugh shall marry her. The simpleton and his strange parade enter the royal palace and the daughter laughs. The king tells the simpleton to bring him a ship that can sail on both land and water - the old man from the forest gives the simpleton one to give to the king, and the simpleton and the princess are wed. 

This book is adorable and truly fun. Every time another person comes stuck, a little rhyme is recited: "Hokety, pokety, stickety, stuck, the ______ was down on his/her luck. Wiggle and pull, he/she couldn't shake loose; he/she, too, had to follow the simpleton's goose." Readers are sure to catch on quickly and join in on reciting the rhyme. The illustrations are cartoonish and wacky, adding to the unique, whimsical feel of the story. 

This is simply a fun, whimsical book to share with your young students, especially in a fairy tale unit. 

Consider watching this different, animated version of the tale. Then compare and contrast it with the version you read. Purchase the book here.