Elizabeth Young (Children's Literature)
What a great combination! Duck and Goose each spy an "egg" decorated with large brightly hued circles, and each claim it as their own. Feathers are ruffled; webbed feet are tangled, as each vie for the best position to sit on the new found orb. Though each have their own individual ideas and agendas about hatching the "egg," ultimately realizing what is best for the new baby results in both fowl sharing the parental duty. Everyone can relate to the antics of these two, from one-up-man-ship to sibling rivalry, culminating in peace making and being protective of the impending new arrival. What Duck and Goose don't realize is that their egg is not an egg, and it takes another friend to reveal their misunderstanding. Find out what the egg really is while enjoying this entertaining tale of newfound friends. The colors are delightful, the whimsical portrayal of each bird is attractive enough, and the text weaves it all together in a happy resolution in this wonderful story of sharing, conflict resolution, humility, and even play. Mr. Hills has a bright future ahead of him if this book is indicative of forthcoming works. 2006, Schwartz and Wade Books/Random House, $14.95. Ages 4 to 8.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, December 15, 2005 (Vol. 73, No. 24))
When Duck and Goose enter the stage from opposite sides of the frontispiece, striding determinedly across a meadow toward a large, polka-dotted ball, the stage is set for a classic noodlehead story. Each believes the ball to be an egg. Each claims it, competes to hatch it and ends up sitting atop it together, whiling away long hours by agreeing on the many duck and goose skills they will teach their baby. When an observant bird points out that their egg is a ball, Duck and Goose, realizing their mistake, are just as happy to play with it. Delighted listeners will immediately see Duck and Goose's mistake and wait expectantly for the predictable "big reveal." Every artistic decision underscores the humor with deft mastery: the cheerful primary palette; the artfully balanced composition; and the simplicity of line that depicts every inch of these ridiculously earnest fowls, from the tips of their beaks to their expressive eyes to the bottoms of their feet. Duck and Goose's gradual shift from adversaries to partners to playmates is indicated artfully by effective but subtle changes in book design and text. Readers will likely hope to see more of this adorable odd couple. 2006, Schwartz & Wade/Random, 40p, $14.95. Category: Picture book. Ages 3 to 6. Starred Review. © 2005 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Fall 2006)
Duck and Goose both lay claim to a round object, which they decide is an egg, and make their way from the initial ownership argument to shared dreams of the future. Then a bird informs them what will already be clear to readers: the "egg" is a ball. The adversarial-to-conspiratorial story is satisfying; cartoony illustrations extract every drop of humor from the situation. Category: Picture Books. 2006, Random/Schwartz & Wade, 40pp, 14.95, 16.99. Ages 4 to 9. Rating: 2: Superior, well above average.

Jan Gregory (The Lorgnette-Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 19, No. 4))
Duck and Goose find a soccer ball and mistake it for an egg, and the argument begins. Duck says, “I saw it first,” and Goose replies, “I touched it first.” Although they begin arguing about the “egg,” they eventually become friends that share the responsibility of taking care of the egg. They get excited when they believe it is time for the egg to hatch but instead discover it is just a bird kicking the egg. Only when the bird asks to play with their ball do Duck and Goose discover the egg is actually a ball. They agree the ball is lovely and commence to play with it together. The illustrations will appeal to children. The characters resemble cartoon characters against a sky blue and green landscape. This is a book every teacher will want to read to her students. Fiction. Grades K-2. 2006, Schwartz & Wade Books, Unpaged., $14.95.