85. Waiting in the Wings

Waiting in the Wings. Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton. Illustrated by Eg Keller. 2024. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book]

First sentence:  Mr. and Mrs Puddleduck were expecting their first clutch of eggs. It was time to make a nest, but all the good spots by the water's edge were already taken.

Premise/plot: This picture book was inspired by a true event. It is the story of a family of ducks who made a nest near/at a theatre. The actors "helped" the "chorus line" of ducklings make their way safely to the wharf. It is told from the ducks' perspective--so it is animal fantasy. It is a sweet, precious, adorable story--along those lines.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I do love, love, love Julie Andrews. This picture book celebrates the theatre but does so through the perspective of ducks! I'd never really thought what a duck's view point of musical theatre would be! That added some delight to the story.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

63. Henry's School Days

Henry's School Days. (Too Many School Days) Robert Quackenbush. 1987/2023. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book]

First sentence: When Henry the Duck was growing up, he got into a lot of trouble at school--like the time he went to hang up his coat on an overcrowded rack. Before his teacher could stop him and help him find a place for his coat...all the coats came tumbling down!

I feel seen. Henry the Duck has quite a time leading his teachers to say that Henry has too many school days. Will Henry the Duck ever have a good day at school? 

When I was growing up I loved some of Quackenbush's books. I've loved becoming reacquainted with his books as an adult. I absolutely LOVE the story, the characters, and the illustrations.

I am definitely going to see what other "new" books they have by Quackenbush.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Express Train to Trouble

Express Train to Trouble (Miss Mallard Mystery) Robert M. Quackenbush. 1981/2018. 80 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: At breakfast on the luxurious Nile Express, chaos broke out in the dining car. The world-famous ducktective, Miss Mallard, could not believe her eyes.

Premise/plot: When one of the train's passengers goes missing it is up to Miss Mallard to solve the mystery and find him in time. The passenger who disappears is a prankster who has given all the others ample reasons not to like him. But who has motive enough to want him gone?

My thoughts: I enjoyed the Miss Mallard mystery that I reviewed yesterday. I did. It was fun. It was enjoyable. But I enjoyed this one more. Perhaps because of the setting--a train in Egypt. Perhaps because it wasn't quite as silly.

I wish my library had more than just the two books. I would read them one and all if I could track them all down. 

Original audience born circa 1974 to 1976.

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Stairway To Doom

Stairway to Doom (Miss Mallard Mysteries) Robert M. Quackenbush. 1983/2018. 80 pages. Source: Library]

First sentence: A flash of lightning ripped across the night sky. Miss Mallard, the world-famous ducktective, paid the carriage driver and hurried up the stairway that led to Duckinbill Castle.

Premise/plot: Miss Mallard stars in a mystery series for young readers. In this one Miss Mallard is with family in an old Scottish castle--a will, Great Aunt Abby's--is being read. To inherit, each family member must stay in this "haunted" castle all night long. Miss Mallard seems fearless and fierce--she's a smart duck. But some of the other characters seem frightened, very frightened. Is there just cause for their fear? Is the castle truly haunted?

My thoughts: This is equal parts funny and absurd. I love, love, love the idea of a duck detective, a ducktective. It's a quick, fast-paced read geared towards young readers just getting comfortable with chapter books. The illustrations are super-fun.

I wish my library had ALL the books in this series. I really need to track them all down.

Original audience would have born circa 1976 to 1978.

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Woof and Quack in Winter

Woof and Quack in Winter (Green Light Readers Level 1) Jamie Swenson. Illustrated by Ryan Sias. 2017. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 37 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Woof, I am not flying south this year. But ducks always fly south, Quack. I want to stay with you in winter. This duck is staying put.

Premise/plot:  Woof and Quack are an unusual duo. Woof is a dog that doesn't like to play fetch; Quack is a duck that doesn't fly south in the winter. This book is about what these two friends do in the winter.

My thoughts: I liked this one. It was silly just like the first book in this early reader series. (The first book is Meet Woof and Quack.) The dialogue between these two is fun.


© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Meet Woof & Quack

Meet Woof and Quack (Green Light Readers Level 1) Jamie Swenson. Illustrated by Ryan Sias. 2017. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 37 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Would you like to play a game, Woof? Yes. What shall we play, Quack?

Premise/plot: Quack wants to play fetch with his friend Woof. But Woof is a dog who does NOT like to play fetch. Fortunately, Woof is a dog who likes to throw. So the two do get to play fetch together. What makes this one silly is WHAT is being thrown.

My thoughts: This one is super-silly. Woof and Quack are a silly duo that your little one may love to meet. I enjoyed the text. I didn't quite love, love, love the illustrations. But overall I'd recommend this one.  

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

John Philip Duck

John Philip Duck. Patricia Polacco. 2004. 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Edward was a sweet boy who lived with his family on a small farm just outside Memphis in the foothills of Tennessee. Times were hard. there was a depression on and money was hard to come by. Even though Edward was just a lad, he and his father worked at the same hotel in Memphis. During the work week they stayed at the hotel, but on the weekends they both went home.

Premise/plot: Edward finds an abandoned little duckling; he decides to raise it as his very own. He takes the duck to work with him--at first with the intent to keep him completely out of sight. He teaches the duck tricks--trains him. The boss isn't happy to discover the duck in his hotel, but, he's happy enough when he sees the duck perform. Can Edward train other ducks too?! He's given a month. Will it be enough time?!

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one very much. Parents should definitely introduce their children to the music of John Philip Sousa before or after reading this one. (Sousa in Stereo). Edward LOVES, LOVES, LOVES Sousa's marches, and he trains his ducks to "march" to Sousa.

The goal becomes to train the ducks to march through the lobby and into the lobby's fountain, and to stay in the fountain and swim all day. At the end of the day, they will march out again. That is if all goes according to plan.

This one is loosely based on a true story. There are ducks at the Peabody hotel that were/are trained to do just that. Edward and his father are fictional representatives of that first duckmaster.

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Chicken, Chicken, Duck!

Chicken, Chicken, Duck! Nadia Krilanovich. 2011. Random House. 32 pages.

Chicken 
Chicken
Duck
Goat 
Sheep
Llama
maa maa
baa baa
snuffle
cluck
Quack!

Chicken, Chicken, Duck! is one of those picture books that is very simple. In just a few words--in just a few pages--Nadia Krilanovich tells a simple story with a humorous twist. (Will every reader find it funny? Well, I can't answer that for you. Picture books are incredibly subjective.) If you have a little one in your life that loves everything farm-related, farm-animal related, if you have a little one that loves animal sounds, then this new book may be for you.

This one didn't wow me. I thought it cute enough that it was worth reviewing. And I do plan on sharing it as a read aloud. But. It's not one I see--at this moment--making my best list. Still not every book has to be THE BEST BOOK EVER.

Text: 2 out of 5
Illustrations: 2 out of 5
Total: 4 out of 10

© 2011 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Duck & Goose, It's Time for Christmas

Duck & Goose, It's Time for Christmas. Tad Hills. 2010. Random House. 22 pages.


Goose, it is not time for catching snowflakes.
It is not time for sledding.
It is not time for making snow angels.

Despite the glitter on the cover, I liked Tad Hills' Duck & Goose, It's Time for Christmas. True, I like Duck & Goose. I've read a few of their books. But. Still, I liked the playfulness of this one. It is simple. It is predictable. It is fun. If it is not time for catching snowflakes, sledding, making snow angels, throwing snowballs, etc., what is it time for???? CHRISTMAS, of course!!!

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

Five Little Ducks

Five Little Ducks. Beth Harwood. Illustrated by Emma Dodd. 2008. Amazing Baby. 10 pages.

Five little ducks went out one day,
over the hill and far away.
Mother duck said,
Quack, quack, quack!
But only four little ducks came back.
Four little ducks went out one day,
over the hill and far away...

I enjoyed this board book. It's predictable. It's repetitive. It's fun. It makes a great read aloud. If your little one loves ducks--loves hearing the quack, quack, quack--then I would definitely recommend this one!

© Becky Laney of Young Readers