Great Beginnings gets visit from Oliver the Goose

HAMBURG — “You Can’t Potty Train a Goose.”

The title of Vernon children’s author Leesa Beckmann’s new book sums up her experiences with Oliver, her 3-year-old pet Sebastopol goose.

Beckmann and Oliver made a trip to Hamburg’s Great Beginnings preschool to read the new book and celebrate Love of Reading Month with the students and staff.

The story starts with Beckmann’s first experiences with Oliver, and what to do about the “squishy, squashy mounds” he would often leave behind throughout her home. After several failed attempts at potty-training her new friend, Beckmann realized “you can’t potty train a goose,” and created a diaper apparatus for him.

After the book reading, students were invited to pet Oliver, which would make him contentedly honk and “purr.”

Copies of Beckmann’s books — “Oliver’s Dandelion Wishes,” “A Million Monarchs Munching Milkweed and a Goose!,” “Oliver’s Search for Miss Matilda and her Murky Mud Puddle,” and “You Can’t Potty Train a Goose” — will be on display at the McAfee library during the month of March, culminating with a visit from the pair and guest reading at the end of the month.

Beckmann and Oliver are available for readings by contacting hatchabutterfly@yahoo.com or 973-919-6988.