Customer Reviews

Duck Skates

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I am a parent and a Preschool teacher in Ann Arbor, MI where the author LYNNE BERRY came to share her book with our school. As a teacher I can tell you the children totally loved the book, excellent rhyming words, great story and wonderfull illustrations. The author did an awesome job with the children (crafts and movement activities).
As a mom, I purchased the book for my child and she loves it so much, she asks us to read it to her one and one more time. Because she likes it so much I got her little rubber ducks to go along with the story. She really enjoys the book!!!

Ducks skating -- it doesn't get much more fun or cute than that, and this what attracted the book to me for our kids. While the artwork and the majority of the story is quite fun, it is unfortunate that the author made the decision to make it seem funny for the ducks to very deliberately disregard/disobey a potentially dangerous warning sign (even if the sign is poorly/inaccurately written) with no consequence -- except for additional fun. While I realize this is merely a children's book and not to be taken too seriously, my bet is that the majority of parents reading this book to their young children would most definitely not appreciate this subtle message this sends.

These are the kind of ducks everyone would like to know. They go for the gusto! Berry's text is without a single wasted or awkward word, and the rhymes and rhythms are natural and unforced. The illustrations really bring these little guys to life. Every kid can relate to the antics of these ducks whose energy seems boundless until they crash in their cozy little house at the end of the day, and the words and pictures are so inviting that parents won't mind reading it over and over again--as their kids will certainly demand!

This book is a pure delight! I am a parent at a preschool where this author came in and did a wonderful presentation to my child and I have enjoyed reading this author's book to my child on a regular basis. It is so cute and fun to read to my child. I am actually shocked that someone would try and hurt this wonderful author by making false accusations. This is a brillant, warm and delightful treat, and if you don't believe this review, please go to your local bookstore and read it for yourself. I am sure that you will enjoy it immensely! I am actually going out to buy it for a gift for a birthday party!

Duck Skates is a delightful romp through the snow with a quintet of mischievous ducks. The rhyme and rhythm are absolutely perfect, and the crisp language brings these pranksters to life. Best of all their delightful day ends tucked up in blankets and cocoa while their snowy boots and jackets drip on the hearth. Bravo to Lynne Berry. Hiroe Nakata's illustrations are also marvelous. Each reading reveals more darling touches. This is the best kind of picture book--one that will satisfy both child and adult through many, many readings.

My 2-year old grandchild read this book to shreds! She loved it, and now I am buying it for a neice and nephew. As for the danger warnings -- as if ducks could read! -- it gives parents a good opportunity to talk about being careful, and to teach them numbers too.

Lynne Berry, Duck Skates (Henry Holt, 2005)

It's kind of hard to believe that the same Lynne Berry who was responsible for The Curious Demise of a Contrary Cat wrote this lovely, lighthearted little book as well. I mean, sure, there's the same excellent wordplay, the same mastery of poetry (which Berry does better than many writers of adult books of formal verse), the same sense of whimsy. But, really, no one gets turned into a frog. There should be more books where other beings get turned into frogs.

Lack of biological transmutation aside, if you're looking for a birthday present for your preschooler, it's pretty hard to go wrong with Lynne Berry. The story, ostensibly, is about five ducks who go skating. Yes, the title of the book is quite informative in that regard. But what's going on beneath the surface here is a deep-rooted appreciation for numbers and the wonderful things you can do with them. And Berry takes her five ducks and sections them up in just about every way you can think of. Kids are not only getting an interesting, easy-to-follow story (with super-cute Hiroe Nakata illustrations), but a basic math primer at the same time.

Definitely one for the permanent library. ****

Five fun and slightly cheeky companions enjoying a snowy day, their adventures told in snappy text and delightful pictures. Duck Skates has everything it takes to engage a small child, and then goes a step further with lovely cadence. Here is a book written by someone who understands that picture books are read ALOUD. It rolls off the tongue beautifully, making it a joy for both parent and child.

And the math is so cleverly tucked in there, neither of you will feel a thing.

I really didn't appreciate this book's portrayal of anthropomorphic duck children ignoring a no-skating sign to much fun and no consequence. Sure, sometimes people imprudently ignore safety warnings without sustaining any physical harm, but that's not a message I want to emphasize to my preschooler.