Goat Is the G.O.A.T.

“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