Selected for the official Summer Reading Challenge 2026 "Read to the Beat!" book collection, Gordon Starts a Band is a honkingly funny adventure from award-winning author-illustrator Alex Latimer, packed with laughs, music, and one very determined goose, this is the perfect series for emerging readers. Gordon is THE MEANEST GOOSE ON EARTH. Well . . . he used to be, but now, he's trying to change his ways and be a GOOD GOOSE. The trouble is, it's really tricky to be kind and patient and good, especially when you've always been mean. In Gordon Starts a Band, Gordon is in a very bad mood. An annoying whistling noise has kept him awake ALL NIGHT and he's determined to find out what's causing it. His journey will lead him on a mission to try and help a rock 'n' roll moose, a singing crocodile, and a handy hammerhead shark . . . but can he help them without falling back into his mean ways? For more mean goose antics with Gordon: • Gordon: The Meanest Goose on Earth • Gordon Wins it All • Gordon: In the City