Guji Guji is just your ordinary, everyday, run-of-the-mill duck...um, crocodile...um, duck... In this engaging story about identity, loyalty and what it really means to be a family, Guji, Guji makes some pretty big decisions about who he is, what he is, and what it all means, anyway.
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Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Starred Review. PreSchool-Grade 3–One day, an extra-large egg rolls right into Mother Duck's nest. She is busy reading and doesn't notice the new addition, but this lucky event will change her life. Her hatchlings include a yellow duckling; one with blue spots; another with brown stripes; and a rather unusual, crocodile-shaped youngster, named after his first words. Guji Guji grows bigger and stronger than his siblings (and more crocodilelike), but Mother loves all her offspring the same. When three duck-hungry crocodiles make fun of Guji Guji's ways and try to tempt him into betraying his family, he is put to the test. This beautifully written story has much to say about appreciating families and differences, and it will resonate with children long after the final page is turned. Chen's unique illustrations are compelling, down to the beautiful silhouette endpapers. The rich blues and earth tones and dramatic page layouts create moving scenes, but the quirky details and characters' expressions are hilarious. This charming spin on the ugly duckling theme is a must-have for any collection.–Julie Roach, Malden Public Library, MA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Review
"Chen's vivid characters -- the exuberantly befuddled ''crocoduck'' and his adopted family, the riotously creepy crocodiles that loom like shadows -- are rendered with wit and warmth...Love overcomes all differences here, and Guji Guji's antics are laugh-out-loud adorable." --- The New York Times Book Review
"This beautifully written story has much to say about appreciating families and differences, and it will resonate with children long after the final page is turned...a must-have for any collection." --- School Library Journal (Starred Review)
"...Muted ink-and-wash drawings of gray and brown makes this picture book look like an old classic...Chen's story of love, acceptance and self-discovery gives every sign of becoming a well-worn favorite." --- Publishers Weekly
"This beautifully written story has much to say about appreciating families and differences, and it will resonate with children long after the final page is turned...a must-have for any collection." --- School Library Journal (Starred Review)
"...Muted ink-and-wash drawings of gray and brown makes this picture book look like an old classic...Chen's story of love, acceptance and self-discovery gives every sign of becoming a well-worn favorite." --- Publishers Weekly
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
104 of 109 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Charming Keeper!,
By Sardan (Round Rock) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Guji Guji (Hardcover)
I first heard of this book when it was reviewed on NPR's Weekend Edition, by Daniel Pinkwater (himself a well-known children's book author). I completely trust his opinions. It was he, for example, that first let me know about the marvelous "Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type". He was so enthusiastic about this book that I purchased it immediately. Once again, he recommended a winner.
Some children's books have great "shelf appeal"; they look cute, but they don't stand the test of time. By contrast, this one will be passed down by your kids to their kids! It has fantastic art that never gets old, and a charming story that, while it ends happily, has some genuine tension that preschool and early elementary kids (and adults) will love. It's a marvelous story of family values. I think this book would be extra-special for families with adopted children, step-children, or blended families of any kind. It reinforces the message that a family is about love, not genetics. But it isn't preachy or moralizing at all. Most highly recommended.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Crocs and ducks living together?,
By John Zxerce "johnzxerce@hotmail.com" (Colorado ^^^) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Guji Guji (Hardcover)
Amazon Warning: ***SPOILER INFO?***
Chen's book starts off with Mother Duck sitting on her nest of eggs - but the plot soon thickens as another egg rolls into the nest and she doesn't even notice. When the eggs begin to hatch the first one has blue spots - and she calls him 'Crayon'. The second has brown stripes and he's named 'Zebra'. The third is yellow and appropriately gets named 'Moonlight'. Then, the fourth hatchling is a little peculiar. He breaks out and says, `Guji Guji'. And so the story goes... Of course their mother loves them all and treats them all the same. However, Guji soon learns he's a little different - bigger and stronger. He's got no feathers and no beak or webbed feet. He's even made fun of by the crocodiles who live in the river - who also threaten him and his family. And it's at this point Guji comes up with a plan to save his mother and siblings! It's a book about family loyalty. Guji's a winner.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Second Grade Review of Guji-Guji,
By Second Grade "Ms. Larson" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Guji Guji (Hardcover)
Guji Guji
By Chih-Yuan Chen Price: $15.95 hardcover Published in 2004 This book is about a crocodile named Guji-Guji who is raised by ducks. His name is "Guji-Guji" because those were the first words he said. The mother duck raised Guji-Guji and all her other children (Crayon, Zebra, and Moonlight) and loved them all. Guji-Guji learned faster and quicker than his brother and sister ducklings but he still loved them. One day some bad crocodiles turn up and want Guji-Guji to help with their plan to eat some fat juicy ducks. Guji-Guji has to choose between the ducks and the crocodiles. Which one will he choose? Read this book and find out. The illustrations are funny and fun and creative. Some are weird. They give you hints that the words don't say. The book is thirty-two pages long. It is a fun story and children from kindergarden to third graders will especially like it. Maybe a fourth or fifth grade or even a grown-up might enjoy it. If you like Guji-Guji you may like Chih-Yuan Chen's other book, On My Way to Buy Eggs. We give this book four stars: ****
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