The Goose Guards is based around a true legend in the history of Rome. When the Gauls sack Rome and murder the senators in the streets, it is a dreadful day for the Romans. But safe in the temple of Jupiter on Capitol hill, young Brutus knows the hill can be defended indefinitely. He is more preoccupied with getting his revenge on Fabia, the goose girl, who always knows her lessons better than him. So Brutus suggests that if the Gauls continue to besiege them, they should eat the sacred geese of the temple of Juno. Brutus is filled with glee at the thought of Fabia’s unhappiness when her precious geese are slaughtered. But then in the dark of night, the Gauls try to attach Capitol hill up a secret pathway up the cliffs. The only reason that Brutus and his friends are saved is the racket the geese make at the approach of the strangers. The geese charge the attackers, making them tumble back down the cliffs.

The Goose Guards is full of the kind of gruesome and humorous details that make Terry Deary’s Horrible Histories so appealing to children. The book is written in appealing large print, divided into short chapters with comical, black and white illustrations on almost every page. The Goose Guards is part of a series stories. This particular tale is likely to appeal to boys more than to girls.

2008-08-30