Webster J. Duck [Paperback]

Martin Waddell (Author), David Parkins (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 2 and up

A search for love and reassurance—from master storyteller Martin Waddell.

When little Webster J. Duck cracks open his egg, he’s all alone. "Where’s my mother?" Webster wonders, and sets off to find her. Though he meets some waggly, woolly, very friendly animals along the way, his mother is nowhere to be seen. It looks as if Webster is all alone-until his new friends lend a helping hand. With delightful illustrations by David Parkins, master storyteller Martin Waddell celebrates the wonderful feeling of being found by someone you love.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The star of Waddell's (A Kitten Called Moonlight) heartwarming tale starts life "All folded up so he'd fit in the egg," but soon the plucky duck is out and about, looking for the mother who's nowhere to be seen. Astute readers will notice on the book's title page that Mother Duck is merely taking a swimming break in the water near the nest, but Webster J. Duck doesn't know that: he heads for the adjacent farm fields and quacks queries to increasingly larger "ducks" with waggly tails (a dog), woolly coats (a sheep) and even udders (a cow). Each time, he realizes that "My mother would go/ quack-quack like me!" His new friends, moved by his despair, offer up clarion calls of "BOW-WOW!" "BAA-BAA!" and "MOO-MOO-MOO-MOO!" and successfully beckon Webster's mother for a joyous first meeting. Even very young children may notice the striking similarities to the classic Are You My Mother? Parkins's (Aunt Nancy and Old Man Trouble) painterly watercolors, however, possess a magic and originality that's hard to resist: his lakeside landscape shimmers with light, and he endows his pint-sized protagonist with emotional depth. Ages 2-4. (Aug.)
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1-Waddell's solid pacing and concrete imagery are wasted on this hackneyed plot of a baby duck in search of his mother. Parkins uses pastel watercolor and pencil for endearing portraits of the hatchling in appealing postures and to depict friendly farm animals that assist in the successful hunt. Fine turns of phrase ("feathers were shiny with tiny duck tears") are offset by unanswered questions-children never do learn where the mother has been. Lovely springtime fare to behold, but nothing fresh or innovative.
Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (February 9, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763624314
• ISBN-13: 978-0763624316
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 0.2 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,780,261 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Martin Waddell is the Hans Christian Andersen Medal winner 2004 and two-time Smarties Prize winner. Among his many books for children are the Little Bear and Farmer Duck series. Martin lives in Newcastle in County Down.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A WARM, FUZZY REMINDER OF MOTHER LOVE, July 24, 2001

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Webster J. Duck (Hardcover)

Few children's stories are more affecting than those concerning mother and child. Add to that scenario an adorable baby duck, and you have a sure winner. Such is the case with Martin Waddell's latest.

When tiny Webster J. Duck became restless he tapped on his eggshell with his beak. Crack went the shell and Webster got his first glimpse of a very large world. But Webster was puzzled because he didn't see his mother, and he thought that all baby ducks had a mother. He quacked and quacked, but she didn't come so he set off to find her.

In his search he found friends with wiggly tails, and wool for coats. Webster was sure none of them were his mother. Of course, the story has a happy ending, and is reassuring to young ears. It's a warm, fuzzy reminder that mother's love them and are nearby.

5.0 out of 5 stars I love Webster, January 9, 2012

By 

Barbara - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Webster J. Duck (Paperback)

My son loves this book. I recycled it to Goodwill without asking him and he was very sad. So I re-purchased it on Amazon. I'ts very similar to Are You My Mother by PD Eastman from my childhood. But this book speaks to kids today. It's just sweet.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great reading for 3-year old and Mom, December 11, 2010

By 

Roberta Melnyk "Mom of twins" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Webster J. Duck (Paperback)

We found this book at the Library and my son loved it so much we bought it. We only spend money on books that I know we'll all enjoy. The story is very nice and good for Mom's who have to read it over and over. The pictures are clear and the story has a happy ending. Webster J. Duck is a permanent book in our home. My son has learned to say "Webster J. Duck" which is very cute! Promotes pronunciation and reading.