The Rubber-Legged Ducky [Hardcover]

John G. Keller (Author), Henry Cole (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

Five is different than all the other ducklings. He doesn't quack, and he never waddles. Instead, he bounces. And bing-boings! Being different isn't always easy for Five, but boy oh boy, having an extra spring and s-t-r-e-t-c-h in his step sure comes in handy when an unwelcome (and hungry) visitor comes creeping.

         

Fur and feathers fly and the underduckling prevails in this hilarious barnyard yarn.    

Editorial Reviews

Review

An ugly duckling of a different feather—one with a rubber leg—turns his deformity into an asset in this quirky and triumphant picture book. Five, the fifth duckling born to Mama Duck (she ate a rubber band before laying her eggs), bounces instead of waddles and says "Bing-boing!" instead of "Quack quack." But steady encouragement from his mother helps Five draw on his unique stretching abilities and outwit a lurking fox. Debut author Keller, the former publisher of Little, Brown's children's division, skillfully balances silliness and heart in a well-paced text that will entertain as well as reassure readers who are discovering what it means to be tolerant and confident. In his signature style, Cole (Shiver Me Letters: A Pirate ABC) creates a cast of creatures with particularly emotive expressions who wrest the humor from Keller's premise ("Five let Three strum on his leg while they sang a duet. 'Thrum, thrum... bing-boing... quack!'"). This peppy outing should prove a welcome addition to the self-esteem-building canon. Ages 3-7. (Publishers Weekly )

About the Author

JOHN G. KELLER is a former publishing professional who has written one other book for children. He lives and writes near Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

HENRY COLE is the award-winning illustrator of more than forty books for children, including Mooseltoe and Clara Caterpillar . He lives near Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books; 1 edition (April 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152052895
• ISBN-13: 978-0152052898
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 11.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #424,272 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Everyone is Special, June 23, 2008

By 

Sherry Y. Artemenko (Southport, CT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Rubber-Legged Ducky (Hardcover)

Watch out what you eat when you are expecting! Mama duck nibbled a rubber band along with a clump of grass before giving birth. When she hatched her brood, the fifth duckling bounced rather than waddled, and cried, "Bing-boing" instead of the typical "Quack, quack." This delightful tale is all about being different, or special with true potential, as only a mother could declare. Five's rubbery legs were good for strumming accompaniments to sing-alongs and lassoing bullies but his greatest act of bravery was to stand against the fox, using his special talents to protect his family.

As a speech language pathologist, I always encourage parents to expand on a book. Take the opportunity to discuss with your child how friends are different, what special talents we all have--maybe a good listener, helper or storyteller--and celebrate differences.