Goat Is the G.O.A.T.

by Bea Birdsong, Kelly Murphy (Illustrator)

Overview

A funny misunderstanding sparks a sweet little goat’s joyful journey to self-discovery.

“He’s the G.O.A.T. Greatest Of All Time!”

Wow . . . Goat had no idea!

But why is he the greatest? Is he the fastest? Nope, Horse easily beats him in a race. Maybe he’s the strongest? No, that’s Donkey. Goat isn’t the highest jumper, either, or even the best spitter—and he’s definitely not the bravest. Out of ideas of what makes him great, he’s beginning to doubt that he’s great at anything when a sudden call for help gives him his chance to shine.

Kids will get a kick out of Goat’s antics and cheer him on as he finally stops comparing himself to everyone else and discovers that there’s greatness in us all.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593405420
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	02/18/2025
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	397,645
Product dimensions:	10.88(w) x 8.25(h) x 0.32(d)
Lexile:	AD360L (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Bea Birdsong (BeaBirdsong.com) is the author of I Will Be Fierce!, Sam’s First Word, How to Spot a Best Friend, Boop!, and other books for children. She lives in North Carolina with her family and spends her days creating books to entertain and empower readers of all ages. Bea wants you to know that you (yes, YOU) are the G.O.A.T.

Kelly Murphy (KelMurphy.com) is a New York Times bestselling author-illustrator and recipient of the E. B. White Read Aloud Award. Her forty-nine books have earned countless accolades and have been translated into sixteen languages. She teaches illustration at the Rhode Island School of Design and lives in Providence, Rhode Island, with her husband and their many animal companions. In her youth, Kelly worked at a small farm, where she befriended many animals and witnessed the unstoppable determination of goats.

Editorial Reviews

A gray-coated, blue-eyed goat, first seen on the title page munching greenery up in an apple tree, overhears some barnyard residents speaking admiringly. ‘He’s the G.O.A.T.,’ they say, ‘Greatest of all time!’ Goat, listening around the corner, doesn’t realize that the object of their praise is a blue-ribbon-wearing bull on a poster. Goat is delighted to be appreciated, imagining a trophy, a parade, some yummy confetti. ‘But . . . what makes me the greatest?’ Goat wonders. Could it be that he is the fastest of all time? Actually, the dappled horse is faster. Strongest? The donkey is demonstrably stronger. Greatest leader, loudest, farthest spitter, highest jumper, muddiest, fuzziest? None of these. Goat is not even the bravest! The farm denizens (sheep, border collie, llama, frog, pig, rooster, cat, mouse) in this sequence have lively, friendly, earnest animal faces. . . . Murphy’s lighthearted, sunny, full-color illustrations and humorous details convey a busy, happy farm. . . . Nicely paced, funny, and appealing, and full of optimism and goodwill.” —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2024-10-25
Goat hopes to be worthy of the titular acronym.

A gray-coated, blue-eyed goat, first seen on the title page munching greenery up in an apple tree, overhears some barnyard residents speaking admiringly. “He’s the G.O.A.T.,” they say, “Greatest of all time!” Goat, listening around the corner, doesn’t realize that the object of their praise is a blue-ribbon-wearing bull on a poster. Goat is delighted to be appreciated, imagining a trophy, a parade, some yummy confetti. “But…what makes me the greatest?” Goat wonders. Could it be that he is the fastest of all time? Actually, the dappled horse is faster. Strongest? The donkey is demonstrably stronger. Greatest leader, loudest, farthest spitter, highest jumper, muddiest, fuzziest? None of these. Goat is not even the bravest! The farm denizens (sheep, border collie, llama, frog, pig, rooster, cat, mouse) in this sequence have lively, friendly, earnest animal faces. But when a trio of cats strand themselves in a tree, Goat has the talent (tree-climbing) and resources (a strong head and sturdy horns) to rescue them. So, maybe not greatest of all time, but certainly greatest for today. Murphy’s lighthearted, sunny, full-color illustrations and humorous details convey a busy, happy farm. The very youngest listeners might not get the wordplay, but they will be cheering for Goat.

Nicely paced, funny, and appealing, and full of optimism and goodwill.(Picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews