Books with author Roger Duvoisin

When Roger Duvoisin first introduced children to his proud and silly goose, Petunia, in 1950, it was love at first sight. Those children have grown up, but Petunia is every bit as fresh and funny and muddled as the day she was born.In this, the first of the series of classic books featuring the silly goose, Petunia finds a book--and, deciding that if she owns a book she must be wise, dispenses hilariously mistaken advice to the other animals in the farmyard.With its gentle lesson and the kind of humor that kids love best, this new edition of a picture book classic will delight and inspire a whole new generation of readers.

Donkey-donkey has a problem. Despite his many friends and his good master, he is sad because his ears are so long and ridiculous. If only Donkey-donkey could have short sensible ears like his friend Pat the horse, he would be content. So he seeks the advice of his fellow farm animals who suggest he wear his ears differently, more like theirs: floppy like the dog’s, to the side like the sheep’s, to the front like the pig’s. But each unnatural arrangement leads to increasing insult and injury. Finally a little girl passing by remarks on the beauty of the pretty little donkey’s ears! At last Donkey-donkey is happy. A classic tale of vanity and folly, and learning to accept oneself—protrudent ears, redundant name, and all.

When Roger Duvoisin first introduced children to his proud and silly goose, Petunia, in 1950, it was love at first sight. Those children have grown up, but Petunia is every bit as fresh and funny and muddled as the day she was born.In this, the first of the series of classic books featuring the silly goose, Petunia finds a book--and, deciding that if she owns a book she must be wise, dispenses hilariously mistaken advice to the other animals in the farmyard.With its gentle lesson and the kind of humor that kids love best, this new edition of a picture book classic will delight and inspire a whole new generation of readers.

By the author of the bestselling picture book Petunia, The House of Four Seasons is a bright and lively family picture book about colors, imagination, and compromiseWhen Father, Mother, Billy, and Suzy go house hunting in the country, they fall in love with a grand old house nestled among tall weeds and trees. It is in need of repair, and soon a carpenter, mason, and tinsmith come to set things straight, but it needs painting too. The family agrees it would be more fun to paint the house themselves, but no one can agree on the color, and to make matters worse, the hardware store only carries three colors: red, blue, and yellow. But Father has an idea. “You’ll see, he says, “colors can do many tricks when they get together,” and with a sudden flourish, a color wheel appears! Budding artists and engineers will love this surprising story, and adults would do well to note how Father arrives at a winning trifecta of negotiation, education, and thrift.

Veronica is your average hippopotamus with a big dream: she wants to become famous. But with so many hippopotamuses wallowing in the cool mud and swimming and splashing in the clear water along the riverbank, it’s more difficult to stand out than one might think. So Veronica does what any determined young mammal would do: she sets off to find her fortune in the nearby pink-and-white city. If she were the only hippopotamus, everyone would surely take notice, and it would be marvelous—or would it? Many miles from the cool, muddy riverbank, the men and women of the pink-and-white city stare at Veronica, bump into her with their cars, and shout angrily when she steps on their toes. In the city, Veronica is not only conspicuous—she is very much in the way! Mishaps befall her at every turn. While taking a curbside nap, she is issued a warning for stopping traffic. When she bathes in the public fountain, the townspeople cluck unsympathetically. At the farmers’ market, Veronica is unused to city manners and helps herself happily to an entire cart of fresh, delicious vegetables—including the paper bags. When a policeman is called to capture the hungry hippo, Veronica decides that the city is not the place for a hippopotamus. But the hustle and bustle of city life is not the only surprise to come from Veronica’s big journey. When she returns home to the riverbank, she finds her dream has come true after all. From that day forward, Veronica is famous among the hippopotamuses, who gather each day at sunset to hear about her adventures in the pink-and-white city. Originally published in the 1960s, Veronica by Caldecott Medal–winning author and illustrator Roger Duvoisin is the most recent addition to the Bodleian Library’s newly minted children’s book imprint. For little readers with big dreams, it offers a timeless tale of the surprising places those dreams may take us.

This delightful sequel to Caldecott Medalist Roger Duvoisin's Petunia takes the foolish goose on a wild goose chase. Petunia only wants what she doesn't have. Convinced that she'll find tastier grass for her snacks beyond her home on Mr. Pumpkin's farm, she ventures far afield. After close encounters with some wild animals who are looking for a tasty snack of their own, she rushes home—to the best green grass she's ever tasted! Originally published in 1958 and long unavailable, this timeless tale works equally well as a read-aloud to young children or as a story slightly older children can enjoy reading all by themselves.

Donkey-donkey has a problem. Despite his many friends and his good master, he is sad because his ears are so long and ridiculous. If only Donkey-donkey could have short sensible ears like his friend Pat the horse, he would be content. So he seeks the advice of his fellow farm animals who suggest he wear his ears differently, more like theirs: floppy like the dog’s, to the side like the sheep’s, to the front like the pig’s. But each unnatural arrangement leads to increasing insult and injury. Finally a little girl passing by remarks on the beauty of the pretty little donkey’s ears! At last Donkey-donkey is happy. A classic tale of vanity and folly, and learning to accept oneself—protrudent ears, redundant name, and all.

While taking a walk in the snow, the pet goose Petunia meets Charles, a most charming and handsome gander. Handsome, yes–and hefty, because poor Charles is being fattened for Christmas dinner by the farmer next door. Will the gander of Petunia’s dreams be served up roasted, with applesauce on the side?Petunia’s determination to save Charles, even if it means posing as Santa Claus, results in “one of the simplest, funniest, and most original of Christmas stories,” wrote the Chicago Tribune when this book was originally published in 1952. A yuletide classic by a Caldecott Medal winner, Petunia’s Christmas is still making children laugh as it shows the true spirit of Christmas.

When Roger Duvoisin first introduced children to his proud and silly goose, Petunia, in 1950, it was love at first sight. Those children have grown up, but Petunia is every bit as fresh and funny and muddled as the day she was born. In this, the first of the series of classic books featuring the silly goose, Petunia finds a book—and, deciding that if she owns a book she must be wise, dispenses hilariously mistaken advice to the other animals in the farmyard. With its gentle lesson and the kind of humor that kids love best, this new edition of a beloved classic will delight and inspire a whole new generation of readers.