Agatha loves her new feather bed, but when six shivering, naked geese pay her a visit to discuss the origin of the feathers, is her goose cooked?

Agatha owns a weaving shop in Manhattan and likes to answer the questions of children who want to know the source of her beautiful fabrics. She always recites a little verse to them:

Everything comes from something,
Nothing comes from nothing.
Just like paper comes from trees,
And glass comes from sand,
An answer comes from a question.
All you have to do is ask.

Perhaps Agatha forgets her own advice, for one night her pleasant sleep is disrupted by six cranky, cold, naked geese. They want to discuss the source of the feathers keeping her so warm in her brand new feather bed. In a delightful O. Henry-inspired ending, Agatha arrives at a solution that benefits them all, teaching readers to understand the delicate balance between our resources and responsibilities.


Author Photo

Carmen Agra Deedy is a New York Times bestselling author and has been writing and traveling around the world telling stories for more than twenty years. Her books, including 14 Cows for America, The Library Dragon, The Yellow Star, and Martina the Beautiful Cockroach have received numerous awards and honors. Carmen has performed in many prestigious venues, but children are her favorite audience. Born in Havana, Cuba, she came to the United States as a refugee and like most immigrants sees the world from multiple perspectives.

You can visit Carmen Agra Deedy’s website here.

Author Photo

Laura L. Seeley holds a degree in fine arts from the Rochester Institute of Technology. She has written and illustrated numerous children's books. Seeley lives in California.

You can visit Laura L. Seeley’s website here.



“This finely crafted collection abounds with information and whimsy. It also teems with puns and wordplay.... A ducky book.” ―Publishers Weekly

“Offbeat, provocative, well crafted.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“...The illustrations in this book are wonderful - they're detailed, busy, full of activity and you can easily do a 'seek and find' with your child. I strongly recommend Carmen Agra Deedy's books for any family, school or library - they'll be well read and loved by all!” ―Family Literacy blog


UMW Reading Program ―United Methodist Women 2013