Three Good Deeds

by Vivian Vande Velde

Book Overview

If Howard had known the old hag was a witch, he never would have taunted her. But he did, and she did what witches do--cursed him--and now he's a goose, which to tell you the truth, is not as serene... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0152053824
• ISBN13: 9780152053826
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books
• Length: 147 Pages
• Weight: 0.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.9" x 8.4"
• Age Range: 10 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 7

Customer Reviews

Three Good Deeds A review

Three Good Deeds by Vivian Velde is a book about a boy named Howard who trespasses into an old woman's house,that everyone calls a `'witch''. Howard tries to steal her goose eggs, but she stops him and turns him into a goose. Now if Howard ever wants to be a human boy again, he has to do three good deeds. Howard has trouble doing his good deeds because he is a bad child and doesn't know it. Howard's best friend, Roscoe, and a girl named Alina go to Goose Pond where Howard was. Roscoe is as bad as Howard so Howard new he was looking for trouble. Alina is very stuck, even though Howard is always nice to her. My favorite part of this book was when Howard finds an egg and tries to find the mother, but the mother said it will never hatch so she gave it to Howard, and he tries to hatch it. I like this book because it was funny, sad, and exciting. This book was one of my very favorite books. I liked it because it taught me a lesson that it never hurts to do a good deed. I wanted to keep reading it over and over again because it was so good.

A Fantasy Story Anyone Would Love

Have you ever taunted a person? Or maybe got a punishment from doing it? Well if you have done that, you've probably acted like this boy named Howard. He's gotten into this kind of stuff once. This book called "Three Good Deeds" was written by an authour named Vivian Vande Velde. Howard was naughty when he stole the witch's geese eggs. After naughty Howard had done that, the witch put on a spell, meaning that he's turned into a goose, and also is supposed to complete all three good deeds in order to become a boy again. He also meets other geese at this place called "Goose Pond". A lot of geese have weird names, but Howard's name is pronounced "How-Word". The main important key for Howard is, as I said, to complete all three good deeds. But he can't do the same thing over and over, he has to do certain things, like rescueing other geese who are in a help of need. Every time Howard completes a good deed, he would feel a bubbling sensationof the spell meaning he did one out of the three. Once he's done what's he's told, the spell is finally done and the witch turned him back into a boy. But something unusual happened: the witch had died because of old age. On the bright side, everything's back to normal. So yeah. That was what the whole problem in the story was about. I really enjoyed this book when I got it. On other notice, I would highly reccomend this book because this was... pretty funny for me. And when I enjoyed it, I think you would enjoy this humor from the book too.

She does it again

Three Good Deeds is a good book. I bought it for my daughter for when she gets older. It's a cute little story with a good moral behind it. Vivian does it again. I recommend this book along with her other books.

What is a Good Deed?

It was a normal day of pulling pranks with his best friend for Howard, until he finds himself alone at the local pond. Then, when in the middle of a prank, Howard gets turned into a goose by the local witch who wishes to teach him a lesson. He is told the only way to undo the spell is to do three good deeds. This is the story of Howard's quest to do these three good deeds. He quickly realizes that it's not as easy as it seems in the beginning. True "good deeds" are not done with any expectation attached. They must come from the heart. This book allows young readers to discover with Howard the importance of compassion and sincerity even in those little daily tasks. Through some goose humor readers learn that even the small things count. Readers will stay entertained with pond scene images as Howard tries to make his life on the pond successful, all the while trying to achieve his good deeds. The rather abrupt and unexpected ending will illustrate for readers that even a prank-pulling boy can care for others. This fun to read book is sure to please many readers. The humor and vivid imagery of life on the pond will keep the pages turning. The important message of helping others, just because it is the right thing to do, shines through without overpowering the book. For a read-aloud, or individual reading material, this book is highly recommended!

A funny and thoughtful story about discovering the person you're supposed to be

Howard is a mischievous boy who, along with his friends, likes to pull pranks on the villagers of Dumphrey's Mill. Their latest victim is the supposed old witch who lives by Goose Pond. They find the elderly lady strange due to the fact that she lives on her own and tends to a flock of geese that live on the pond. They do mean things like tease the geese and steal their eggs. When Howard decides to steal from a nest one day, he is caught red-handed and accidentally breaks a couple of the eggs. Fed up with the boy's antics, the old witch turns Howard into a goose! Howard understandably panics and tries to call for help, but realizes unfortunately that only the witch and her gaggle of geese can understand him. The witch tells the goose-boy that in order to redeem himself and be turned back, he must accomplish three good deeds. Howard thinks that the situation is silly, but quickly realizes the benefits (and disadvantages) of being a goose. From complimenting one of his new feathered friends to escaping poultry-hungry villagers, Howard discovers the person or goose he's meant to be. THREE GOOD DEEDS is a funny, thoughtful story with a bittersweet conclusion. Readers may be a bit disappointed at the story's sudden ending, but they will enjoy Howard's quest to find his inner golden goose.