Little Quack FROM OUR EDITORS
The Barnes & Noble Review
New York Times bestselling author Lauren Thompson serves up a delightfully breezy story/counting book about a duckling who musters the courage to take the plunge. When he hears from Mama Duck that it's time to leave the nest, Little Quack happily follows his siblings to the water's edge. But after seeing them each dive bravely into the water after her, the timid guy isn't sure he's got the gumption to follow along. Fortunately, though, Little Quack has a cheerfully supportive family, and with some coaxing and confidence ("'You can do it,' Mama said./ 'We know you can!' said Widdle, Waddle, Piddle, and Puddle."), the littlest guy makes the jump with a big splash.
With warm, welcoming artwork from first-time picture book illustrator Derek Anderson, Little Quack combines a plucky story with an easy-to-follow counting lesson. Kids will marvel at the Quack-U-Lator at the bottom, providing a fun and easy numbers primer for them as Little Quack's tale builds plenty of self-confidence. A heartwarming tale that's fun for quiet sharing and a surefire storytime winner, this ducky read gets top billing. Matt Warner
ANNOTATION
One by one, four ducklings find the courage to jump into the pond and paddle with Mama Duck, until only Little Quack is left in the nest, trying to be brave.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Take the plunge with New York Times best-selling author Lauren Thompson. When Mama Duck says it's time for her brood to paddle across the pond, the brothers Widdle, Waddle, Piddle, and Puddle all follow along. But Little Quack's not sure that he's ready to leave the nest. With just a little push from Mama and a little more confidence in himself, he may wind up the best swimmer in the bunch! And to top it all off, readers can count along with the Quack-u-lator, which appears every time a duck casts off.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
The winsome feathered fellow first introduced in Little Quack returns in a board book edition and in a third hardcover companion book, Little Quack's Bedtime by Lauren Thompson, illus. by Derek Anderson. PW said of the debut book, "Anderson's depiction of the adorable ducklings, working up their courage to join their fuzzy siblings will keep toddlers coming back." And the feathered quintet is every bit as adorable in Bedtime as, one by one, Mama dispels their fears of the night. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
Children's Literature - Candace Deisley
Little Quack, the smallest of the five ducklings in this story, is reluctant to follow his siblings into the water, but finally musters his courage and dives in. Using a repeated banner at the bottom of each page on which a duckling takes the plunge, the book instructs the reader to count the ducklings. (This banner is, unfortunately, called a "Quack-u-lator.") Bright and cheery colored acrylics on canvas show the frolicking ducklings and their mom among the reeds. The counting only goes up to five, however, and makes the book useful to a very limited audience for a very limited period of time. 2005 (orig. 2003), Little Simon/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Ages 2 to 3.
School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 2-This delightfully simple story is sure to become a storytime favorite. Imagine Mama Duck's 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 can't 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. Anderson's 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 Simmons's "Daisy" stories (Little, Brown) and Amy Hest's "Baby Duck" (Candlewick) for a ducky time.-Jeanne Clancy Watkins, Chester County Library, Exton, PA Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
The odyssey of ducklings venturing forth from their comfortable nests into the big world resonates with children and has been a well-traveled subject of many works geared toward young readers. Thompson's (Mouse's First Valentine, 2002, etc.) latest effort will certainly appeal to youngsters despite its lack of originality. Mama Duck is coaxing her five hesitant ducklings (Widdle, Waddle, Piddle, Puddle, and Little Quack) into the water one at a time. A "quack-u-lator" at the bottom of the pages adds an interesting mathematical element, helping children count along as ducklings jump into the pond. Mama encourages each nervous duckling to "paddle on the water with me . . . you can do it . . . I know you can." Overcoming their initial fright, the first four ducklings "splish, splash, sploosh, and splosh" happily into the water. The simple tale's climax occurs when Little Quack wavers at the water's edge. "Could he do it? Did he dare?" Not to spoil the ending, but suffice it to say all five ducklings swim off "proud as can be." In his debut effort, Anderson's bright and colorful illustrations are lively and captivating. The five adorable ducklings embark on this rite of passage sporting unique looks ranging from Mohawk-type head feathers to orange spots and flowered hair adornments. A pleasant enough take on an old standby. (Picture book. 2-5)
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