One Duck Stuck: A Mucky Ducky Counting Book [Paperback]

Phyllis Root (Author), Jane Chapman (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: March 1, 2003 | Age Range: 2 - 5 years

"Perfect for reading aloud, this counting book not only contains bright bold illustrations but also has lots of . . . sound effects that children will love to replicate."— Booklist

Down by the marsh,
by the sleepy,
slimy marsh,
one duck
gets stuck in the muck . . .

Can two fish, tails going swish, help? What about three moose, munching on spruce? Bright, spirited illustrations by Jane Chapman enhance this one-of-a-kind counting tale by Phyllis Root - a feast of sounds and numbers that will have listeners scrambling to join in the slippy, sloppy fun.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"Splish, clomp, pleep, plop, plunk, sloosh, slosh, slink, zing." Who can resist a read-aloud featuring sounds like these? When, "Down by the marsh, by the sleepy, slimy marsh, one duck gets stuck in the muck," who comes to the rescue? Two fish, splishing, for starters. Then three moose clomping, four crickets pleeping, and so on. Still, "No luck. Still stuck." It takes a whole lot of teamwork to get this particular stuck duck unstuck from the muck, but this cheerful bunch is definitely up to the task.

From one duck to 10 dragonflies, the muddy fun never stops in Phyllis Root's chunky little board book. Young readers will giggle their way through the numbers, and by the time the duck's foot is released with a "Spluck!" counting will be a cinch. Jane Chapman's lush illustrations are full of marshy colors and muddy detail. The right side of each two-page spread shows the hapless duck earnestly waiting for liberation by its lively rescuers, while on the opposite side the featured number is printed, large and bold, over the text, and the splishers and ploppers are depicted again for easy counting. Chapman's enchanting art is also found in The Emperor's Egg, among other titles, and Root's other popular stories include Kiss the Cow!. (Baby to preschool) --Emilie Coulter --This text refers to the Board book edition.

From Publishers Weekly

Just as the title of this satisfying counting book says, there's one duck stuck (in the muck, as it turns out). Different groups of marshland creatures, from two fish to 10 dragonflies, appear with an offer of help. Each arrival is described with verbal relish: "Nine snakes/ leaving little wakes/ slither to the duck./ Slink, slink." However, no matter what the number or the species, the result is the same: the duck stays stuck. Root's (Mrs. Potter's Pig) wordplay finds an effective visual counterpart in Chapman's (Dora's Eggs) full-bleed gouaches. The illustrator revels in juxtaposing strong colors, so that the hues in her palette pop with a primary-like brightness. But the book does suffer from a major leap in logic: it's never clear how the animals tried to use their distinctive talents in their failed attempts to free the duck. When they all finally gather to effect a joint rescue effort, nothing happens except a recap of the funny noises they make; on the penultimate spread, the duck simply steps out of the goo with a "Spluck!" Will children wonder why the duck didn't extract itself earlier? Probably notAthey'll be too enchanted by Chapman's vibrant pictures and the immensely satisfying sounds and rhythms of Root's text. Ages 2-5.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 2 - 5 years
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (March 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763615668
• ISBN-13: 978-0763615666
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 0.2 x 9.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #46,856 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #29 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Ducks & Other Waterfowl
  • #92 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Farm Animals

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Board book not the same as the original November 20, 2004

By Phil G.

Format:Board book|Amazon Verified Purchase

It didn't take long for my 2 1/2 year old son to start saying the words along with me. He loves saying the numbers and " stuck in the muck...". It is written in an amusing and rythmic fashion, so it is easy to read and remember. I originally got the book from the library, and my son loved it so much, I bought it. But, unfortunately, the board book is so abridged, that it leaves out all of the fun word play. Go for the original book. It will be a hit with any kid.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Board Book Edition ONLY - regular edition gets 5 stars December 1, 2003

By "elfling8"

Format:Board book

I checked this book out of the library and my daughter and I loved it. So, I ordered the board book version for her (she's 1 1/2), and found that a good 1/2 of the book is cut out. I'm returning it and getting the regular edition. So, if you like the toungue twisting verses, don't buy the board book.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars It's ABRIDGED! August 6, 2004

By P. DiNardo

Format:Board book

All the charm of the original, and all the clever rhymns, are left OUT of the board book version. I LOVE the original, and was so excited to see a board book edition, until I started to read it aloud to my twin toddlers. Get the original, paper version. It's SO CUTE!