For his birthday, Duck's animal friends give him a swimming suit, a diving board, and a slide, but it is not until Tortoise arrives with an inflatable pool that they have something to swim in. "Brett's vivid colors and expressive animal characters add charm to the festivities; Bunting's verses are witty and whimsical." -- Publishers Weekly
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
The collaborators who brought us The Mother's Day Mice and Scary, Scary Halloween are in excellent form in this fun, frothy celebration. Duck is a cheery little fellow who lives in the desert. For his birthday, his animal friends give him a swimming suit, a sunhat, a scuba mask and other water gear. Duck is "pleased as can be" with his gifts, "But we're far from a lake and far from the sea/ How can I use what you've given to me?" Finally his ever-tardy friend Tortoise arrives with his giftan inflatable swimming pooland in no time the friends have blown up the pool and hopped in. Brett's vivid colors and expressive animal characters add charm to the festivities; Bunting's verses are witty and whimsical. Ages 3-6.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-K Those who have come to expect illustrations from Jan Brett that vibrate with color, warmth, and activity will not be disappointed with her efforts in Happy Birthday, Dear Duck. A kind of cumulative tale, Bunting's simple ``mystery'' storyline develops at a leisurely pace that young children will appreciate. As charming friend after friend brings gifts, duck finds himself with a pile of presentsamong them a swimming suit, beach ball, scuba maskfor which he has little use in the desert. What glues the plot pieces together is the final gift (which children will no doubt have gleefully guessed)an inflatable pool. The book is occasionally flawed by awkward rhythm, forced rhymes (``goodness''/``rudeness'' and ``pool''/``grew''), and a general lack of freshness in Bunting's verse. However, the story concept is original, with enough tension and fun to entertain young children quite successfully. Lee Bock, Brown County Public Libraries, Green Bay, Wis.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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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.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just Ducky!,
This review is from: Happy Birthday, Dear Duck (Paperback)
Duck celebrates his birthday with animal friends in this beautifully illustrated book for younger children (from about age one to five). The animals bring him gifts:"Duck got a ball that was pumped full of air. And a scuba mask, and a watch to wear And suntan oil to rub on his beak So it wouldn't burn and it wouldn't squeak." The problem is that most of the toys are for water play, and Duck and his buddies live in the desert. Good thing Turtle brings the present that makes it possible for everyone to splash around and have fun! The book is both simple and clever. The highlights here, though, are Jan Brett's vivid right-on illustrations of the Southwest: Big, bright, colorful, with warm tones, and enough detail to keep older toddlers interested. An absolute delight!
3 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book to read to young children or for beginning reader,
By A Customer
This review is from: Happy Birthday, Dear Duck (Paperback)
Great book to read to young children or for a beginning reader
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
For his birthday, Duck got a swimming suit Read the first page New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
For his birthday, Duck got a swimming suit Read the first page New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
10
books
cite this book:
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- The Librarian's Complete Guide to Involving Parents Through Children's Literature: Grades K-6 by Anthony D. Fredericks on page 53, and Back Matter
- Make-Believe Games Activities for Imaginative Play: A Book for Parents, Teachers, and the Young Children in Their Lives by Jerome L. Singer in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Dramatic Play (Learning Through Play) by Nancy Jo Hereford on page 48
- Fresh & Fun: December (Grades K-2) by Bob Krech on page 27
- Bridges to Reading, K3: Teaching Reading Skills with Children's Literature by Suzanne I. Barchers on page 45
See all 10 books citing this book
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