Duck at the Door
(Max the Duck #1)

In this comfortably predictable variation on the “obnoxious guest” theme, a household consisting of one woman, Irene, and a whole lot of dogs, cats and other pets welcomes—at first—a shivering duck named Max who decided to stay behind when the rest of his flock migrated for the winter. Soon commandeering both the TV remote and the kitchen, Max has definitely outstayed his welcome by spring—but the general relief at his parting turns to boredom, and then to brief delight followed by dismay when he shows up at the doorstep again that autumn with dozens of fellow ducks. In fluidly drawn cartoon scenes, Urbanovic strews a spacious domestic setting with a multi-species array of individualized residents living in more or less peaceful coexistence. In contrast to their panic, Irene responds calmly to the climactic incursion, offering Max a hug and a warm greeting. There’s more comedy, not to mention a sense of closure, in Sandy Asher’s similar Too Many Frogs!, illus by Keith Graves (2005), but the big-hearted open-door policy here will appeal to a wide range of readers. (Picture book. 6-8)

One snowy night, a half-frozen duck named Max struggles to a house where a woman lives with a menagerie of pets. Welcomed into the household, he tells the animals that he stayed behind when his flock flew south. Quickly, and sometimes hilariously, outgoing Max learns to live indoors, while the other animals try to adjust to his creative cooking and his tendency to hog the remote. When his flock returns, the others pets are not sorry to see him go, but after his departure they do hope for his return. Though Urbanovic has illustrated other books, such as Denia Hester’s Grandma Lena’s Big Ol’ Turnip (2005), this is her first work as writer-illustrator, and a very promising start it is. The story is simple, the expressive pictures are pleasing, and both work well together. With both comical and tender moments, this is a fine picture book for reading aloud. Shiny red letters and a goofy-looking Max on the cover invite readers in.

— Carolyn Phelan

K-Gr 3When his flock migrates south for the winter, Max opts to stay behindand quickly regrets it. Luckily, Irene and her pets live nearby in a cozy house, so the quirky duck makes himself right at home for the season, and proves to be a bit of a pest. Just when everyone has had their fill of Max's favorite TV shows, blanket hogging, and experimental cuisine, spring arrives, and he leaves to reunite with his flockand, naturally, the entire household feels his absence. Urbanovic's animals, with their expressive, engaging facial features, take center stage in the open, cheery illustrations. They're detailed without being busy, and nuanced without being at all fussy. Great fun for storyhours."Catherine Threadgill, Charleston County Public Library, SC" Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.