Zander Stays

Zander the goose is trying something new this winter. He is not going to go south. Zander is going to stay! Now available as a board book!

As winter approaches, geese return south to avoid the cold and snow. Not Zander, though. Zander declares he wants to stay this year, but first he’ll have to learn how to survive the harsh winter climate. Should he do as Bear suggests and put on a thick layer of fat? Or should he snuggle up with friends like bat does? None of his furred friends seem to have the right answer for Zander, but he’s determined to make the best of a freezing situation. He just needs to find a northern animal whose winter adaptation works for him. Luckily, one such animal arrives just in the nick of time, walking on two snugly booted feet.

In Zander Stays, celebrated illustrator Scot Ritchie brings humor and charm to Zander’s adventure, from awe-filled autumn walks along the shore to cozy winter hijinks with his new human friend. Award-winning author Maureen Fergus imbues Zander Stays with humour that is simultaneously silly and clever. An author’s note further explores how Zander’s animal friends adapt to their winter environment.

“[T]he images are sure to provoke giggles… Ritchie’s palette changes with the seasons, with the charming pencil, ink, and digital illustrations centering the goose and his every emotion…Readers are sure to want a goose of their own to overwinter with.”—Kirkus Reviews

Maureen Fergus is an award-winning author who has published dozens of books for young people. Maureen’s books have been translated into dozens of languages, optioned for film, and shortlisted for many awards, including the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award, The Sunshine State Young Readers Award, and more. Her picture book Buddy and Earl was a Boston Globe Best Book, and The Day My Mom Came to Kindergarten was an OLA Blue Spruce Award Winner. Maureen lives in Winnipeg with her family and has never met a gander she didn’t like.

Scot Ritchie is an award-winning illustrator and author with more than 60 books to his credit, including most recently Dinos Driving. His books have been translated into French, Korean, Indonesian, Polish, Finnish, Arabic and Dutch. Scot has worked with the National Film Board of Canada and has had his illustrations exhibited at the National Gallery of Canada. He lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.