Why Ducks Sleep on One Leg [Library Binding]

Sherry Garland (Author), Jean Tseng (Illustrator), Mou-Sien Tseng (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1993

A story based on a Vietnamese creation tale about three one-legged ducks who search for a second leg explains why ducks sleep on one leg.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this singular collaboration, Garland's ( Song of Buffalo Boy ) breezy narrative and Jean and Mou-sien Tseng's ( The Seven Chinese Brothers ) beguiling watercolors offer an entertaining explanation of the eponymous phenomenon. Set in feudal Vietnam, this folktale centers on three ducks that have received only one leg each. Ridiculed by the other animals, and unable to paddle well enough to catch fish or to move quickly on land, these creatures feel shortchanged: "It isn't fair that someone ran out of duck legs and forgot to make any more." With the help of a rooster and a goose, the three write a petition to the Jade Emperor, and appeal to the village guardian to deliver it. Yet this individual solves the dilemma himself, giving the petitioners extra golden legs from an incense burner. When he warns the ducks that they must guard their new appendages carefully, the three start a trend by tucking their golden legs up under their wings at night, "safely out of sight." Garland's inclusion of select Vietnamese words lends her tale a pleasing authenticity. Readers will linger over the illustrators' crisply defined art, accented with bursts of luminescent reds, golds and greens against backgrounds of soft pastels. Elegant and funny. Ages 3-8.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

A long, somewhat convoluted Vietnamese pourquoi tale that begins, oddly enough, with three ducks with just one leg each. Helping each other hobble along but weary of the teasing of the other creatures, they write a petition to the Jade Emperor (ruler of gods and spirits) and deliver it to the Emperor's deputy spirit in the village dinh (explained in a note as a community center and place of worship). There, they bargain for the extra legs from an incense burner; and since these are gold, they have to tuck them up at night to keep them safe. Garland's narration is lively and clear; the Tsengs (The Seven Chinese Brothers, 1990, ALA Notable) provide vibrant watercolor double spreads in saturated purple and green, red and gold, outlined in broad, boldly telling black. (Folklore/Picture book. 4-9) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Library Binding
• Publisher: Scholastic Trade (February 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590456970
• ISBN-13: 978-0590456975
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,944,601 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sherry Garland is the award-winning author of thirty books for children, teenagers and adults. Several of her books focus on the Vietnamese culture due to her close friendships with Vietnamese families. As a fifth generation Texan, she also sets many of her books in the Lone Star State. She especially likes to write historical works. For more information, visit her website: www.sherrygarland.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Standing on golden legs, March 6, 2008

By 

Christine Heinrichs (Cambria, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Why Ducks Sleep on One Leg (Paperback)

This delightful story creates an explanation of the observation that ducks sleep on one leg through Vietnamese culture. It combines the natural with the symbolic in its narration, beautifully illustrated. I love it and will include it in the references to the Literature and Mythology section of my next book, How to Raise Poultry, available Spring 2009, which will assist small flock owners who want the joy of keeping their own ducks. Start with a flock of chickens with How To Raise Chickens: Everything You Need To Know (How to Raise...).

5.0 out of 5 stars From the back of the book . . . ., September 25, 2007

By 

LemonspredBooks (Manvel, TX, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Why Ducks Sleep on One Leg (Paperback)

"This light pourquoi tale from Vietnam will appeal to teachers in search of multicultural titles as well as to young folklore fans. . . . The Tsengs' bright, stylized illustrations are colorful and energetic, enhanding the story's humor . . ." -- School Library Journal

"Readers will linger over the illustrators' crisply defined art. . . . Elegant and funny." -- Publishers Weekly

"Garland's narration is lively and clear; the Tsengs (The Seven Chinese Brothers, 1990, ALA Notable) provide vibrant watercolor double spreads . . ." -- Kirkus Reviews