Customer Reviews

It's Useful to Have a Duck

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

 

 

This book is great giving for anyone who wants to highlight how important it is to see both sides of a situation. I gave it to our department heads as a reminder to keep an open mind. I love this book.

that is, it's an accordian-style book that slips into a box/sleeve for storage, except that every time you "slip" it in it catches on a lip on the other side of the sleeve, either keeping you from inserting it fully or gouging the crap out of the book in the process. I like the book -- loose art, great concept of changing perspectives, but I guess you have to be prepared to throw the box out (which would frustrate my kid)...

It was a too complicated for her to appreciate as a baby (concepts like "drying off" or "gargoyles" are a little much for infants) but my two year old has discovered this book on the shelf. She thinks it's hilarious (make her crack up) and now she's "reading" to her little sister.

This is a weird book... so, naturally, I had to have it!
I was charmed by it immediately, but some - including young children - might be baffled by it. My suspicion is that a very young child (the age group suggested by the board book format) would not be too interested and might possibly be mystified by seeing the same pictures on both sides of the book.
Oh, and I doubt a very young child would "get" the point-of-view game this book plays at ALL. (and I say that as a mama of 4 very bright young 'uns!)
That's why, frankly, I bought the book for a grown-up friend who happens to be a retired English teacher and collector of all things whimsical and wonderful.
I think this would make a fabulous book for an English teacher or any grown-up who cares about language, thought, perspective, etc... all wrapped up in the most adorable duckie I've seen in a VERY long time.
An older child certainly MIGHT appreciate the silliness of wearing a duck as a gargoyle, but overall, I wouldn't trust a gem like this to a child.
Buy it as a brain treat for the smartest grown-up you know... as long as they don't take themselves too seriously.

My grandson fell in love with this book when we got it at the library...when Santa pulled it out of his bag on Christmas Eve......HE WAS THRILLED!! A darling book.

This is a really cute book about a kid and his rubber duck. The bit about the duck waxing his bill makes my wife and I laugh every time we read it. The idea is unique, the illustrations are cute.

That said, although the book is made of heavy cardboard you'll probably have to be somewhat careful about just handing it to your kids. The paper hinges between the pages don't look very sturdy. Also, the book comes in a cardboard case that it slips into. But the sharp corners of the book snag inside the case and quickly dog-eared the outside of the book.

(FIRST!) I heard about this book, and for some reason ordered it right away. It's probably meant to be read TO younger children, but my 1st grader can read it herself, so that's fun.... Why I like it - Wonderful simple line drawings, clever concept, nice design (colors, slip-case) - there's nothing not to like about this book. It's a little treasure.