Don't Fidget A Feather! (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) [School & Library Binding]

Erica Silverman (Author), S. D. Schindler (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1998 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Their contest to decide who is the champion of champions almost has disastrous consequences for Gander and Duck.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

One-upmanship goes toe-to-toe (or web-to-web?) with camaraderie when Duck and Gander compete for the title of "one and only, true and forever champion of champions." Duck can swim faster and Gander can fly higher, but a freeze-in-place contest ("Don't move. Don't talk. Don't fidget a feather") will settle the matter once and for all. Silverman (Big Pumpkin) deploys lighthearted repetitions ("Duck did not move a muscle. She did not quack a quack. She did not fidget one feather") to portray Duck and Gander holding firm against playful rabbits, curious crows and even a gust of wind. When a hungry fox hoists the motionless Gander into a boiling stew, however, friendship prevails, and Duck leaps forward to save the day. Dappled illustrations suggest filtered sunlight and bucolic countryside, while Fox arrives in a flourish of russet. Duck and Gander, with their comic expressions, are an endearing pair, and Schindler (Great-aunt Ida and Her Great Dane Doc) does an especially good job of reconciling the prevailing humor with the menace presented by Fox. A well-paced picture book, surefooted in both text and illustrations. Ages 4-7.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1?Brimming with confidence, Duck and Gander challenge one another to contests of swimming and flying, hoping to establish once and for all who is the "champion of champions." When the results are inconclusive, Duck suggests a freeze-in-place contest. A host of hilarious interruptions arise to break their concentration, but both remain perfectly still. The situation turns ominous when Fox stumbles onto the contestants and sees an easy dinner. He drags them into his den and prepares a savory stew, until, at the last minute, Duck sacrifices the contest to save Gander from the pot. The story closes with the two friends sharing a steaming bowl of vegetable stew. Children are sure to identify with these characters and their friendly, yet relentless, pursuit to do each other "one better." Schindler's soft illustrations capture the colors of the forest, growing appropriately darker as the crisis builds. As in Silverman and Schindler's Big Pumpkin (Macmillan, 1992), there is just enough predictability here to keep youngsters involved. The engaging art and energetic story line make this a perfect choice for reading aloud.?Lisa S. Murphy, formerly at Dauphin County Library System, Harrisburg, PA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --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
  
• School & Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: Turtleback (May 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0613076419
• ISBN-13: 978-0613076418
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,664,867 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best children's books I'ver read!, April 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Don't Fidget a Feather! (Hardcover)

My son (age 5) and I love this book!!! It is one of the best children's books we have read. We first got it from our local library, but liked it so much we want to own it ourselves. It's a keeper.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great book that teaches when one really wins, August 27, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Don't Fidget a Feather! (Hardcover)

I bought this book for my 5-year old son and a second one for his classroom at day care. I was saddened to see how early in life children become competitive, and tried to express the many complicated topics around competition (that winning is not everything, the value of the experience is most important, you can lose and still have achieved something) and feel that this book meant more to my son than all my hours of explanations. I am grateful to Erica Silverman for writing this thoughtful book that is also very much fun to read and beautifully illustrated. I HIGHLY recommend it to any parent whose child has become sad or frustrated at losing. This book will make them laugh while they learn some important life lessons.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Guaranteed Good Laugh, February 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Dont Fidget A Feather (Paperback)

My 3-year old loved this book. The pictures are fantastic, and the story of one-upmanship is one that any young child could relate to. This is a clever story with characters that totally draw you in. You'll find yourself telling your child "don't fidget a feather" again and again.