Ready or Not, Dawdle Duckling [Hardcover]

Toni Buzzeo (Author), Margaret Spengler (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Mama Duck is playing hide-and-seek with her ducklings. As fast as you can say one, two, three, they find hiding spots. Except for Dawdle Duckling, that is. He takes his time . . . and gets some help from his friends. Turtle, Frog, and Fish all suggest that he hide behind them. But they're much smaller than Dawdle Duckling. And Mama Duck is about to come looking. How can our hero win the game?
Ollie, ollie, in free! This is a happy, funny tale of friendship, cooperation, and the joy of play-a terrific companion to Dawdle Duckling, which Kirkus Reviews called "just right for the preschool set" and Publishers Weekly dubbed "immensely satisfying."

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreS–This book, like Dawdle Duckling (Dial, 2003), sports inviting pastels and a vigorous text in an easy-to-read font. Its ingenuous plot doesn't meander–although its main character does. When Mama Duck plays hide-and-seek with her four youngsters, three zip off to find effective hideouts. Dawdle, the easily distracted fourth duckling, has an inexhaustible supply of friends eager to help him. However, Mama Duck easily spots him behind a turtle, a laughably puffed-up bullfrog, and a lithe fish. A little collaboration finally brings Dawdle triumph. Spengler's compositions, her interplay of color and light, and her gift for conveying individuality in an unfailingly upbeat manner–all of these elements (plus enchanting details like duck-couture boaters and bonnets) transform a simple story into an excellent choice that is tailor-made for preschoolers.–Susan Weitz, Spencer-Van Etten Schools, Spencer, NY

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. As the first book about him, Dawdle Duckling (2003), makes clear, Dawdle Duckling waddles to his own tune. This new installment centers on a game of hide-and-seek that mother duck introduces to her little ones. Dawdle's siblings dart into rushes and behind tide pool rocks, but Dawdle doesn't really catch on; he hides behind a series of unsuitable creatures that he ultimately befriends--a tiny turtle, a bullfrog, a fish. Finally, in a very satisfying conclusion, Dawdle's newly made buddies cooperate to help him achieve a measure of success in the game. The intense, sunny pastels match the atmosphere of a jolly day at the beach (complete with the duck family in straw boaters); they also fit Dawdle's bright, goofy, imperturbable spirit. Connie Fletcher
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dial (January 13, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803729596
• ISBN-13: 978-0803729599
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,590,966 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Toni Buzzeo, MA, MLIS, is an author as well as a career library media specialist. She writes picture books for children as well as many professional books and articles and lives on a colonial farm in Maine. Learn more at her website: www.tonibuzzeo.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "It's good to have friends.", June 9, 2005

By 

J. Davies - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ready or Not, Dawdle Duckling (Hardcover)

That's the message my daughter came away with after reading this book. Dawdle Duckling wants to play hide-and-seek with his mom and siblings, but he keeps getting distracted by his friends (a turtle, a frog, and a fish) who offer to help. In the end, all three friends work together to help Dawdle find the best hiding place of all. My daughter loves the excitement and familiarity of the game, as well as the friendly characters (especially that puffed-up frog!). A real winner for reading aloud.

5.0 out of 5 stars Ollie ollie in free!, October 15, 2009

By 

Experienced Editor (Illinois, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Ready or Not, Dawdle Duckling (Hardcover)

On the beach with the sand castles sparkling, four happy ducklings play hide-and-seek with Mama Duck.
That is, three ducklings hide; Dawdle Duckling doesn't quite get it. Anyone who has played peekaboo with a baby knows that covering your eyes makes you invisible. Right? Such is Dawdle's technique, and members of the read-to-me crowd will giggle to see Dawdle's bright yellow rump rising above the sand or his flat orange feet flapping from the water when he thinks he is hiding.
But happy little Dawdle is undismayed by how easily Mama finds him. He's busy exploring the pond and meeting new friends. Soon a turtle, a frog, and a goldfish join the game. Together, they help Dawdle turn the tables on Mama in an ending that surprises and satisfies.
Gentle, rhythmic text has just the right amount of repetition to tickle a young child's ear. Brightly colored, uncluttered artwork invites readers to enter into the fun. Sharing this cheerful book before a family outing to the park or lake might just inspire children and their favorite grownups to try a playful game of hide-and-seek themselves. Ollie ollie in free!

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming!, May 23, 2005

By 

P. Schremmer - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ready or Not, Dawdle Duckling (Hardcover)

Toni Buzzeo and Margaret Spengler have done it again! This companion to DAWDLE DUCKLING shares another afternoon with our friend Dawdle Duckling. Young children will love this lyrical romp with Dawdle, his siblings, mother, and helpful friends. My not-so-young children love the puffed-up bullfrog. My favorite touch is Dawdle's hat, with its flipped up brim providing the perfect air of insouciance to match Dawdle's dawdling ways.