Duck on a Tractor (Duck)

PreS-Gr 2--A daring duck gets the wild idea to ride an unattended bike down on the farm in Shannon's Duck on a Bike. At the very end of that now classic storytime title, the mischievous drake spies a tractor, thereby setting the stage for this delightful follow-up. Duck decides to drive the massive red vehicle into town, with his fellow barnyard pals piled comically on top. As they roll down the main road and past the local diner, the townsfolk exclaim in wonder, disbelief, and concern. Following the pattern of the first book, each character says one thing but thinks something else ("Deputy Bob blabbered, 'If that don't beat all!' But what he thought was, 'How am I gonna explain this to the sheriff?' "). Careful observers may notice some striking similarities between the human residents and the farm animals. The folksy dialogue and repetition make this ideal for reading aloud. It's Shannon's painterly and exuberant artwork, however, that steals the show. Characters' exaggerated facial expressions and body language will keep kids giggling, while dynamic compositions and changing points of view add to the pitch-perfect comedic timing. VERDICT An energetic, laugh-out-loud tale that's a worthy companion to Duck's first big adventure.--Kiera Parrott, School Library Journal

The star of 2002's Duck on a Bike decides that the tractor is next on his transportation bucket list, and he invites all of his barnyard friends to join his joyride. When the motorized pile-on reaches the local diner, the humans lunching there are flabbergasted. The exuberant physicality of Shannon's characterizations is always a treat, but he's not entirely successful in surmounting the challenges of his premise. He uses some imaginative framings to bring the animals onto the tractor (Goat climbs up one of the giant tires, Horse sprawls across the hood), but the compositions end up unfocused. He also brings back the refrain-like motif from Duck on a Bike, in which his characters say one thing and think another. But that same motif is given to all the awestruck humans as well, causing the story to drag a bit (although the guy who says, "I must be seeing things," while thinking "Oh, no--not again!" must have quite the backstory). The funny ending, involving an empty gas tank, leaves the humans concluding that the vision was all an illusion. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)

Praise for Duck on a Bike

Shannon makes the most of awkward appendages on wheels and handlebars, and deftly balances clean compositions with just the right amount of detail. Varying perspectives — including the chicken's-eye-view of Duck's bike wheel looming large — provide plenty of good-natured dash. Add to all this the abundant opportunity for youngsters to chime in with barnyard responses ('M-o-o-o'; 'Cluck! Cluck!'), and the result is one swell read-aloud, packed with freewheeling fun. — Publishers Weekly

This delightful story will have youngsters chiming in on the repeated phrases and predicting, in no time, what will happen next, and the many animal sounds provide ample opportunities for role-playing. Shannon's brightly colored spreads are filled with humor. — School Library Journal

Praise for Bugs in My Hair!

Shannon's informative and amusing text lets readers know that everyone feels embarrassed and grossed out by lice, and his gigantic, googly-eyed bugs add to both the humor and the yuck factor. — The Horn Book

Libraries everywhere should have this book, as this perennial problem crops up in just about every community. — School Library Journal