One night during a storm, a young boy called Henry hears a strange sound. In the morning, a large white bird lies in his sandpit. It looks tired and sad. Mum tells Henry it’s a goose, and it must have blown in with the storm.

Over the coming days, while the goose regains its strength, Henry and the bird became good friends. Henry quickly names the bird HONK, after spending lots of time with him. All along however, Henry knows HONK won’t stay, so when it is time for HONK to leave, he is ready.

HONK! is a brightly coloured picture book from cover to cover. Finding an animal that needs watching or looking after is a part of every childhood, and HONK! deals with the inevitable letting go we have all experienced.

Instead of being sad to lose his new feathered friend, a young boy called Henry is happy to wave goodbye and remember HONK after he’s gone.

Respecting wildlife is also an important life lesson, as the children in the story are kind with food and what the goose needs, but also keep a safe distance – at first. 

Author – Elizabeth Pulford

Illustrator – Astrid Matijasevich

Picture Book

(2021, OneTree House, NZ, New Zealand Author, Goose, Geese, Storm battered animal, Wild Bird, Kindness, Friendship)