Ducky [Paperback]

Eve Bunting (Author), David Wisniewski (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 24, 2004 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

When a violent ocean storm causes a crate holding assorted plastic tub toys -- including one resilient little duck -- to wash overboard, the course of Ducky's life alters drastically. This engaging story based on a real event includes an author's note.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2. In 1992, a large crate of bathtub toys traveling from Hong Kong to Tacoma, Washington, was lost at sea. Since then, hundreds of the toys have washed ashore, with scientists recording their positions, plotting their courses, and using the information to further their study of currents, winds, and tides. Ducky is the first-person account of one yellow plastic duck that survived the journey to fulfill his destiny in a little boy's tub. In the throes of the adventure, Ducky wishes he could do more than just float, that he could swim, or fly. But, by journey's end, safe and with a child of his own, the contented toy concludes, "How wondrous it is to be able to float!" Bunting's narrative opens with the choppy rhythms and abbreviated sentences of an easy reader, but grows more lyrical as events progress. It is a bit cloying, though. Wisniewski's intricate paper cuts seem a bit grandiose for this modest, somewhat precious text. They will engage readers, however, and they are striking in their use of color and texture, in their composition, and in their interpretation of events. A bit out of sync, then, but likely to find an audience among the bathtub set?and budding scientists as well.?Marcia Hupp, Mamaroneck Public Library, NY
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Ages 3^-7. A yellow plastic duck narrates the story of his adventures on the ocean after a ship's crate loaded with bathtub toys is washed overboard. Along with some of the other toys, the duck is swallowed by a shark, then spit out even though he and his companions are "guaranteed nontoxic." Gradually, the toys are separated by wind and wave, and the duck journeys alone for months. Eventually, he is picked up by a schoolboy and logged in by scientists. An author's note explains the real-life incident that gave rise to the story as well as the science connection. Wisniewski, last year's Caldecott Medal winner, uses cut paper to capture all the crash and motion of the ocean, and his effects are so vivid that children will need to touch the pages to make sure they are actually smooth. The bold illustrations and exciting action make the book a great story hour pick. Susan Dove Lempke --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (May 24, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 061843240X
• ISBN-13: 978-0618432400
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 3.7 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #344,802 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #25 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( B ) > Bunting, Eve
  • #83 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Animals > Ducks & Other Waterfowl

More About the Author

Eve Bunting has written more than 200 books for children, many of which can be found in libraries around the world. Her other Clarion titles for very young readers include My Big Boy Bed, which was also illustrated by Maggie Smith, and Little Bear's Little Boat, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. She lives in Pasadena, California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Incredible Journey via small plastic bathtub toys, February 20, 2005

By 

E. R. Bird "Ramseelbird" (Manhattan, NY) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ducky (Paperback)

If you were a man like David Wisniewski and you had just created the emotionally and physically exhausting Caldecott winning "Golem", (a book which deals with religious persecution and the very essence of what it means to be alive), it would be more than understandable if you wanted to follow that book up with one about a small yellow bathtub toy. Which is, of course, precisely what he did. While "Golem" was a vast creative epic that utilized his particularly original cut-paper technique to its best advantage, "Ducky" is a small clever story written by fellow Caldecott winner Eve Bunting and set through the eyes of a plastic toy on the high seas. It has emotional impact, beautiful illustrations, and a true story behind its tale. Altogether it makes for a delicious picture book.

On the title page we see large wooden create being lowered onto what can only be the deck of an ocean liner. Turn the page and the ship is silhouetted against a sky, followed closely by an impending storm. Our story begins. As the duck himself says right off the bat, "I am a yellow plastic duck and I am in great danger". With the horrible storm, the crate containing Ducky and his hundred some fellow toys is released into the violent sea. The crate breaks apart and suddenly the water is filled with yellow ducks, blue turtles, green frogs, and what looks to be red beavers. The duck experiences great fear, particularly when a passing shark (rendered in its pupil-less-many-toothed glory) attempts to devour a load of toys. The duck notes that the shark does not seem too much care for getting plastic caught in its teeth, "though we are guaranteed non-toxic". Days pass and all the toys separate in the waves. Our lone hero bobs alone, night and day, past icebergs, fish, and pelicans, until washing safely ashore. A boy locates the duck with glee (it seems many residents of this Alaskan town along the coast have been finding and recording the lost bathtub paraphernalia). At long last the duck returns with the boy to his home and is placed in a bubbly frothy bath, thereby, "fulfilling my destiny".

An author's note at the end records the 29,000 plastic toy animals that were washed off a ship in 1992 and how their arrival on the shores of North America aided scientists who wished to learn more about currents, winds and tides. But even if this were some inspired flight of fancy on the part of the writer, it would still make for a fabulous tale. Ducky has an odd wry way of speaking. He notes his predicament with great emotion and intensity. Feelings that kids reading this book will readily appreciate and understand. From the scary notion of being lost to the final arrival in a safe place, there's a lot to identify with in this book. Wisniewski really brings this story fully to life, though. His shark is a nasty frighteningly realistic critter o' the sea. But I was really taken with the beautiful shots in the book. There's an aerial point of view of Ducky from above red, yellow, beige clouds in what can only be the early stages of twilight. His sea is a beautiful pulsating series of blue and white images. Some artists work with cut-paper and make you wonder how they managed to create their elegant scenes. Others take this one step farther and let you forget that what you're looking at wasn't created by a computer or drawn by hand. Wisniewski does both.

You're going to find quite a few rubber-ducks-lost-at-sea books out there (Eric Carle's, "10 Little Rubber Ducks" comes to mind) but this is the best of the lot. A fine collaboration between two Caldecott winning heavyweights it has everything a good children's picture book should have. Danger, excitement, and a happy ending advocating cleanliness (amongst other things). This rubber ducky is truly the one.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a wonderful book that appeals to any age child, July 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Ducky (Paperback)

I really love this book. The illustrations are bright and fun. The story is very charming and my 5 yr. old found the true story behind it very fascinating. I highly recommend it for 2 to 5 year olds.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just Ducky!, April 1, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Ducky (Paperback)

We checked this one out of the library so many times I finally had to buy a copy. Excellent cut-paper illustrations, a great story, humorous text -- this is one book you won't mind reading over and over to the kiddos.