Customer Reviews

In the Rain with Baby Duck

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

 

 

A great book for young children... beautiful illustrations, simple yet delightful story about a duck who dislikes the rain (until Grampa helps out). I've read it over and over again to my two preschoolers and they never tire of it (me neither!) Especially fun to read on rainy days.

My son received this book for his 2nd birthday, and loved it. And it's one of my all-time favorites, too. It captures very subtly and lovingly the complex relationships between toddlers and parents grandparents. I never tire of reading it to my son.

Well, we FINALLY bought this book after my 2-year-old checked it out from the library week after week. Each time we returned it, she'd ask for "That Duck book" at bedtime. It has a delightful story & illustrations that allow pre-readers to "read" the story to you by just looking at the pictures. I suggest getting the hardcover because you'll read it so many times, that you'll want it to hold up for years.

I don't know what it is about this book, but my almost 3 year old boy loves it (and it doesn't even have one dinosaur in it!) We checked it out from the library and renewed it for 2 months, but I finally pried it out of his hands to return it before the late fees mounted- so now I must buy one of our own. The illustrations are bright and attractive making self reading as fun as when mom/dad reads it.

My darling Grandchildren just love having me read this story to them. It moves along well, shows sympathy to Baby Duck and lets little ones know that when they are not happy there is probably something that can be done to fix it. My Grands ask for this and other Baby Duck books to be read over and over again.

Amy Hest has a gift for capturing warm, secure family relationships, and this book does not disappoint. Baby Duck is resentful of being required to walk through the rain to Grandpa's house for Pancake Sunday, and she resists all her parents' efforts to cheer her up. When they arrive, Grandpa sympathizes with her distress and takes her on an excursion into the attic to look for a tall, green bag, which are found to contain a pair of red boots and matching umbrella. Mrs. Duck recognizes them as the boots and umbrella she had owned as a girl, and after a pancake supper, Grandfather takes her outside to enjoy the rain.

Although Baby Duck's complaining attitude is nothing to be admired, every child can identify with being required to participate in some experience which they do not understand and may not appreciate. Grandpa's sympathetic gentleness help the child change her attitude toward this family tradition, while reinforcing the generational connection through shared food and the handing down of prized possessions. The well-written text is simple and evocative, and perfectly complemented by the bright, pleasant illustrations. It's a perfect read-aloud for preschoolers.