Zander Stays

 
5.0 (2)
 
0.0 (0)
719 0
Zander Stays
Co-Authors / Illustrators
  • Scot Ritchie
Publisher Name
Pajama Press
Age Range
4+
Release Date
October 10, 2023
ISBN13
978-1772782967
ISBN10 or ASIN
   
Zander the goose is trying something new this winter. He is not going to go south. Zander is going to stay!
Every year 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.

Editor reviews

2 reviews
Delightful board book
(Updated: June 25, 2026)
Overall rating
 
5.0
Plot
 
5.0
Characters
 
5.0
Writing Style
 
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
5.0
ZANDER STAYS is an adorable and charming board book about making a change and winter. When all the birds are migrating, Zander decides to stay behind. As winter approaches, the other animals are making preparations, but none of them feel quite right to Zander. When it snows, he loves it at first, but soon finds himself in trouble - that is, until a child finds him and brings him home where he spends the winter warm and happy.

What I loved: This is a delightful board book about doing something different and finding your own path. The story also briefly introduces the concepts of how animals prepare for the winter (eg, migration, adding a layer of fat, storing food) to add some educational content. The ending adds a little humor as the birds all decide to stay the next year in the house with the child. The story is brief but conveys the plot well and moves quickly for little attention spans. This will work well for toddlers and up.

The soft illustrations capture the story perfectly and work alongside the text to tell the reader what is happening. They are just right, with plenty of detail to explore. The story is full of charm and is sure to be enjoyed by young readers.

Final verdict: ZANDER STAYS is a charming and fun board book about changing up plans, making new plans, and preparing for winter. Recommend for toddlers and up!
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Cute Story About Trying New Things
(Updated: June 25, 2026)
Overall rating
 
5.0
Plot
 
5.0
Characters
 
5.0
Writing Style
 
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
5.0
Zander the white goose wants to try something new this year for the winter season. Instead of migrating with his family, he wants to stay behind this time and see what winter is all about. But the colder it gets, the harder it is for him. He tries to ask the other animals what he should do, but none of their ideas seem right for him. Just when he thinks the worst, he's saved by someone unexpected and winds up having a blast.

ZANDER STAYS is a cute story about stepping out of your comfort zone and taking chances. Sometimes change is hard though and you need a little help. The illustrations are vibrant and I love the dark outline of the goose to make him stand out against the white winter wonderland. In the back of the book, there's an Author's Note that teaches more about how animals adapt and survive the winter. It teaches the difference between hibernation and migration.


Final Verdict: I would recommend this to children who love animals and who are curious to learn more about hibernation and how a goose would react if they didn't migrate. My daughter and I enjoyed this read and I loved being able to teach her more about what animals do during the winter season while we're cuddled up with a blanket.
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