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‘Jasper & Joop’ Book Review

Jasper is a small, white gosling who likes to be tidy. Joop is a small, gray gosling who likes to be messy. Despite the opposite tendencies of this odd couple, Jasper and Joop are best friends. Jasper & Joop is another cute title in the Gossie & Friends series by Oliver Dunrea. The subtitle of the book — “A perfect pair: one tidy, one messy.” — perfectly describes these two gosling friends.

As another Gossie & Friends book, Jasper & Joop was an immediate hit with my daughter. She loves the goslings of the series. She also loves ducks, which, to a toddler, are pretty darn close to goslings. Even I have not grown tired of the books in the Gossie & Friends series despite reading the tomes over and over again to my daughter. My husband and I even bought our daughter the entire series of board books for her birthday and Christmas this past December.

Like the other books in the Gossie & Friends series, the story and language in Jasper & Joop is simple and repetitive but never boring. Repetition is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers who are still acquiring language. The repetition in the story is also helpful for emerging readers who are just getting the hang of the written word. Despite the repetition, however, Jasper & Joop is never boring. I could, and have, read this book over and over again happily without dreading another reading.

Also like the other books in the Gossie & Friends series, I absolutely adore the whimsical illustrations. Jasper & Joop introduces two new characters to the gosling world of Gossie and her friends. Japser is adorable in his cap and tie. Joop is a darling mess of a baby bird. I could pore over each illustration in this book, taking in all the subtle details. My daughter is particularly fond of the pages with the pigs.

Cover of Japser and Joop by Olivier Dunrea Inside Pages of Jasper and Joop by Olivier Dunrea

Final Verdict: Jasper & Joop by Olivier Dunrea is another success for the Gossie & Friends series. The simple, repetitive, and interesting story is perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and emerging readers. I find the the whimsical illustrations that bring the story to life absolutely delightful. If you are looking for a fun book that incorporates opposites or friendship amid diversity to read with your young child, I cannot recommend Jasper & Joop more highly!

Image Credits

Cover of Japser and Joop by Olivier Dunrea © 2013 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of Jasper and Joop by Olivier Dunrea © 2013 Heather Johnson

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