The Nibbler

Ben the goose came to live at Port Sydney Daycare during the summer of 2020. Following a 3-month shutdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, childcare provider Bonnie Boyd wanted the children to return to daycare with an exciting summer project. Originally, the idea had been to find a female companion for their backyard duck, Frankie. They found Ben instead. He was only 4 days hatched when he came to join his new backyard flock. Instead of joining the birds in the yard, however, Ben preferred the company of the children. He followed them everywhere! The children were equally enamoured with their goose. The summer was spent preparing grass salads and making cozy nests for goose cuddles. The children observed that Ben liked to nibble things. Their shoes, zippers, and fingers were some of his favourite things! Students Addison, Clara, Lauren, and Mackenna asked Bonnie to help them write a book about Ben. The original version, made of stapled drawing paper and glued on photos, was read so many times (and nibbled so many times) that it nearly fell apart. Bonnie knew the children had stumbled onto something special. She enrolled their help in making a version of their book that they could share with everyone. Their original ideas, artwork, and handprints made it to the published version of the book.