Baby Duck's New Friend (Hardcover)

~ Devin Asch (Author), (Author) "One sunny afternoon Baby Duck asked his mama if he could go for a swim by himself..." (more)
Key Phrases: yellow duck, Baby Duck, Mama Duck

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a story with echoes of the elder Asch's Happy Birthday, Moon, an eager-to-roam duckling befriends a rubber ducky who has fallen out of a truck and plopped into his watery path. "You don't talk much... but you sure are fun!" Baby Duck says, as he follows the impervious bobbing toy. Their adventure quickly turns dangerous. Soon Baby Duck is left deserted on a faraway beach and despairs of ever getting back home--until he discovers he can fly. A lovely glow radiates from the Asches' digitally enhanced pen-and-ink illustrations, particularly in their depictions of water and moonlight. The father-and-son team (Devin Asch makes his debut here) keeps the book's action at arm's length with their flat, mural-like renderings. This can be a plus, for instance, as the duck pair head down a waterfall, but the artwork also softens the drama of Baby Duck's reunion with his mother. Children will likely get a charge out of being in on the joke. Ages 2-5.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

reS-K-Baby Duck goes exploring, keeping in mind his mother's admonition not to go past the bridge unless he is with a companion capable of flying. When a yellow rubber duck drops from a truck crossing the bridge, the duckling is certain that he has found a friend that fills that requirement. He follows his new acquaintance downstream, past a fox, over a waterfall, and into the ocean. When both ducks are finally tossed ashore, a passing boy finds the toy and takes it home. Frightened and alone, Baby Duck angrily flaps his wings, and soon discovers that he can fly. He takes to the air and follows the river home, where he explains to his anxious mother that he met a new friend. She gives him a minnow and tells him that tomorrow is the big day when he will learn how to fly. Like most children, he is way ahead of mom. Drawn in pen and ink and colorized in Adobe Photoshop, the serviceable illustrations are clear and bright but add little to the text. Also, the story's premise, that the falling rubber duck appears to be flying, will be difficult for the intended audience to understand, as will some of the subsequent events. For the most part, there is very little excitement or tension here. Like a Saturday-morning cartoon, this tale depends upon incredible circumstances and survival by dumb luck.

Marlene Gawron, Orange County Library, Orlando, FL

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Baby-Preschool
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Gulliver Books (April 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152022570
• ISBN-13: 978-0152022570
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,229,492 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Baby duck is great, January 19, 2004

By	Carolyn E. Ramm (Andover, MA United States) - See all my reviews

Baby Duck is an everyman (everyduck?) who, without expecting it, finds himself led into a great adventure. Kind of like Frodo in Lord of the Rings (well, maybe not exactly). Anyway, the book is very engaging. The text is well-written and literate, and the illustrations are gorgeous. At first glance they appear a little cartoonish, but on closer examination you can easily see many subtle features, including Baby Duck's facial expressions and those of the other characters (except for the new friend, who is rubber!). I gave this book to several young friends this Christmas and it was very enthusiastically received. I would definitely recommend it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Baby Duck's New Friend, August 14, 2001

By	Karen Burdorff (Matthews, North Carolina United States) - See all my reviews

This is the first book written by Frank Asch with his son Devin. Frank and Devin have created a most adorable book about a little duck who is anxious to explore the world beyond the inlet..but he can't break the rule of not going beyond the bridge without someone else with him...he meets his "new friend" that goes with him and the two have quite an adventure, and baby duck learns to fly by himself in order to get home...I don't want to give away the story line, but his new friend is a rubber ducky that baby duck thinks is real...as always, the illustrations are priceless.

5.0 out of 5 stars A humorous adventure, June 27, 2001

By	Michael J. Mazza (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

"Baby Duck's New Friend," by Frank Asch and Devin Asch, is a delightful children's book. The story concerns Baby Duck, who finds a "friend" in a rubber ducky that has fallen off a toy truck into the river. Baby Duck follows his silent friend into an adventure. This is a fun book with beautiful, full-color illustrations. Some of the best-rendered scenes include moonlight playing across the water's surface and a lighthouse beacon illuminating the waves. And Baby Duck is a very appealing character. Overall, a very good book.