This is Duck week. Daddy Tim brought us duck books. He said he once told his first editor at Kirkus that his nickname was "Duck" and she sent him a lot of books with ducks in them. He said he had to find some that he hadn't reviewed in the magazine...I told him WE were going to review them here, but he didn't change his mind. |
So in the book five little ducks go out to play.
At this point you'd think she'd either not let them go out, go with them or invest in some ducky leashes. But she lets them go and only two come back. Then only one comes back. The none come back! What a sad book! When the sad mother duck goes out on her own and quacks all of them come back. OK, that's better.
If you watch while you read (or have a human read to you), you can see that each little duck is actually helping a different outside animal; and that's why they don't come back. One helps a beaver find a worm. Another gives a cow a flower...one is doing something with a crab--Daddy Tim suggested giving directions back to the water which is better than what I thought: telling him he doesn't look like a rock--even though he does.
Daddy Tim really likes Ivan Bates' illustrations. He says the ducks are cute without being too cartoony--I have never seen a real duck, so I'll take his word for it. I like all the animals, they look happy outdoors. I know how they feel. I like to go outside too. And I bet they can eat grass whenever they want--the cows' doing it in the pictures. I think little humans will like this even if they don't know the song/rhyme especially the happy ending and the illustrations.
Today's Tip for Cat Children of Human People (CaCHuPs): If you can't convince your human to give you one of those magical "cat doors" that lets you out when you want to go, the best way to get out is to ask...and if they say no, scratch at the door...and if they still say no look depressed. Sad, cute pussycat face always works. If you keep asking or scratching they'll just get mad; that can seriously impact your treat potential...but if they think you are so sad you might barf, they will take you out for at least a little while.