Little Quack

Debut artist Anderson's 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 Mama's mellifluous pleadings and the squawkings of her recalcitrant crew, Thompson's (Mouse's First Christmas) text trips off the tongue. But it's Anderson's 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. (Feb.) Copyright 2002 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

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 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.