The Legend of the Storm Goose

K-Gr 3–A gentle, devastating story about the power of legends and hope. Erin’s father is a fisherman, and whenever he is not at sea he tells her stories. Her favorite is the legend of the Storm Goose, a magical white bird, with a crown of stars, that watches over and protects all the fishermen at sea. One day during a terrible storm, a huge white bird washes up onto the shore, exhausted and injured. Erin and her grandmother care for the bird, but Erin is distraught. If this is the Storm Goose, then who is watching over her father? This is a bittersweet story that takes place on a windswept and wild coastline. Richly textured illustrations of the characters, who have pale skin and dark hair (although Nana’s is white) are set against complex and beguiling images of thundering waves and roiling clouds. The narrative explores the power of stories to help navigate pain and sadness.