Little Quack
From Publishers WeeklyDebut artist Andersons portrait of a quintet of plucky ducklings and their enticing pond habitat make this familiar tale memorable. Widdle, Waddle, Piddle, Puddle and Little Quack are perfectly content to remain in the nest and view the pond from afar. But Mama Duck will not give up until they take their first swim. Come little ducklings, she says. Paddle on the water with me. Anderson paints the pond surface as a velvety quiltwork of violets and shimmery sky blues. A clunky Quack-U-Lator-a purple box that runs along the bottom of every spread-keeps track of the ducks entering the water (e.g., when Widdle and Waddle are swimming, the Quack-U-Lator shows two duck icons on the left, joined by the plus sign, and the numeral 2 follows an equals sign; opposite, in capital letters, reads, Two ducklings in the pond). With a judicious use of repetition and an ear for both Mamas mellifluous pleadings and the squawkings of her recalcitrant crew, Thompsons (Mouses First Christmas) text trips off the tongue. But its Andersons depiction of the adorable ducklings, working up their courage to join their fuzzy siblings (You can do it,… I know you can, cheers Mama) that will keep toddlers coming back. The cocky look of the ducklings already floating, and the expression of lone Little Quack as he tentatively dips a tip of his webbed foot in the water, will make this a nursery favorite. Ages 2-6.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. –This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From School Library JournalPreSchool-Grade 2-This delightfully simple story is sure to become a storytime favorite. Imagine Mama Ducks surprise when her five ducklings are more than a little reluctant to leave their cozy nest for the big pond. One by one, though, she manages to coax them into the water-first Widdle, next Waddle, then Piddle, and Puddle, but Little Quack cant be budged. Eventually, after some convincing from his mother and his siblings, he dives in and-guess what-he loves it! Whether counting up or counting down, this early introduction to math provides a painless lesson, and the quack-u-lator across the bottom of the pages that adds ducklings to the pond makes it even more fun. Andersons colorful paintings complete the package. Each duckling has its own personality and its own feather do, too. Young readers and budding mathematicians are sure to enjoy a sense of accomplishment along with these ducklings. Little Quack may also have some bibliotherapeutic applications during swim-lesson season. Team up this charmer with Jane Simmonss Daisy stories (Little, Brown) and Amy Hests Baby Duck (Candlewick) for a ducky time.
Jeanne Clancy Watkins, Chester County Library, Exton, PACopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. –This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Why Buy A Little Quack?
Little Quack is a duck out of water. As his brothers and sisters splish, splash, and splosh their way into the pond behind their mama, he is left all alone on the shore. Little Quack wants to join his family. Can he find the courage to be a very small duck in a very big pond?
Count along and find out! The QUACK-U-LATOR keeps score, adding a splash of math to all the fun!
Customer Reviews & Opinions
A must-have book for little ones!
Little ones delight in the large colorful pictures of a loving mama duck with her five cute ducklings. The simple stories tickle even a young child’s imagination. Any of the Little Quack books would belong in every child’s collection.
What a cute book!
My 2 year old daughter just loves all of the books in the Little Quack series. I would definitely recommend them!
My husband and son love this book!
My husband and my mother love to read the Little Quack books to my son. My son is very interested in the pictures and it’s the only books he’ll sit through.
“You can do it! I know you can!”
With characters named Widdle, Waddle, Piddle Puddle and Little Quack you know that your pre-schooler is bound to love this book. It’s a cute little story about the ducks leaving the nest for their first big swim, and how Quack builds up the courage to leave the nest with lots of love and encouragement.
There are wonderful lessons here for little readers, but the best and most amazing part of this book are the fabulous expressions on the faces of all these little ducks! I didn’t think it was possible to make ducks look all that different and show real emotion, but it’s all here in this wonderful, entertaining book that will win raves from the kids and parents.
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The complaint about the constellation lines being red is valid, but I’ve found that I can still see them under my small red LED lamp, but they are faint. As the earlier complaint points out, there is a black and white copy on the back that you can use with no problem under any color light - just flip it over! Great product. Get this one if you’re in the market and you plan to use it outdoors with a telescope or binoculars.