From Publishers Weekly
In a story with echoes of the elder Asch's Happy Birthday, Moon, an eager-to-roam duckling befriends a rubber ducky who has fallen out of a truck and plopped into his watery path. "You don't talk much... but you sure are fun!" Baby Duck says, as he follows the impervious bobbing toy. Their adventure quickly turns dangerous. Soon Baby Duck is left deserted on a faraway beach and despairs of ever getting back home--until he discovers he can fly. A lovely glow radiates from the Asches' digitally enhanced pen-and-ink illustrations, particularly in their depictions of water and moonlight. The father-and-son team (Devin Asch makes his debut here) keeps the book's action at arm's length with their flat, mural-like renderings. This can be a plus, for instance, as the duck pair head down a waterfall, but the artwork also softens the drama of Baby Duck's reunion with his mother. Children will likely get a charge out of being in on the joke. Ages 2-5.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
reS-K-Baby Duck goes exploring, keeping in mind his mother's admonition not to go past the bridge unless he is with a companion capable of flying. When a yellow rubber duck drops from a truck crossing the bridge, the duckling is certain that he has found a friend that fills that requirement. He follows his new acquaintance downstream, past a fox, over a waterfall, and into the ocean. When both ducks are finally tossed ashore, a passing boy finds the toy and takes it home. Frightened and alone, Baby Duck angrily flaps his wings, and soon discovers that he can fly. He takes to the air and follows the river home, where he explains to his anxious mother that he met a new friend. She gives him a minnow and tells him that tomorrow is the big day when he will learn how to fly. Like most children, he is way ahead of mom. Drawn in pen and ink and colorized in Adobe Photoshop, the serviceable illustrations are clear and bright but add little to the text. Also, the story's premise, that the falling rubber duck appears to be flying, will be difficult for the intended audience to understand, as will some of the subsequent events. For the most part, there is very little excitement or tension here. Like a Saturday-morning cartoon, this tale depends upon incredible circumstances and survival by dumb luck.
Marlene Gawron, Orange County Library, Orlando, FL
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
