Ducks!

November 11, 2019
Captivated by a butterfly, a duckling wanders away from its three siblings in the pond. But when the duckling turns back to rejoin the group, it’s panic-stricken to find that the pond now has “NO DUCKS!” Readers follow along as Underwood and McBeth (cocreators of Ogilvy) take the pert protagonist through a series of funny false leads: single-plane, minimalist black-line vignettes, with accents in orange and sky blue, begin with a hopeful interrogative—“DUCKS?” —only to be followed by a crestfallen “NO DUCKS” (the all-caps typography makes the mouth-tickling repetition of “ducks” all the more satisfying). A promising “SQUAWK SQUAWK” belongs to a brass band; web-footed footprints belong to a kid in flippers. After registering emotions ranging from despondency to “give me a break,” the duckling is inspired to tack up a “LOST DUCKS” notice on a utility pole, then realizes the siblings have done the same, and a joyful reunion ensues at the pond. Get ready to quack a smile—or several. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Erin Murphy, Erin Murphy Literary Agency. Illustrator’s agent: Kirsten Hall, Catbird Productions.

February 1, 2020

Toddler-PreS-Four little ducks are quacking along when one gets distracted and wanders off. The poor thing isn't gone long, but when it turns around there are "no ducks!" Hearing a sound, he investigates. Sadly, there are "no ducks" again. Trail after trail leads to the same, prompting various exaggerated expressions from the cartoonish character. This happens until an idea strikes, and a heartfelt family reunion occurs. Underwood's (The Panda Problem, The Quiet Book) latest has a minimalist aesthetic, both in terms of text and illustrations, that works magnificently for toddlers. Everything has a solid blue, orange, white, or black color, including the repeating phrases and onomatopoeia words which are boldly splattered every few pages. Spreads follow the formulaic question-and-response format, which, along with other elements such as clues, offer plenty of opportunities to interact with a storytime audience. VERDICT Caregivers may recognize their own wandering toddler in this funny, yet reassuring title. An excellent read-aloud choice for home and in larger groups.-Rachel Forbes, Oakville Public Library, Ont.

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2019
The odd duck looks for the right ducks in all the wrong places. Working together once more after Ogilvy (2019), Underwood and McBeth trail a wayward duck on the search for its fellows. The text is limited to just four words, with a few others incorporated into the illustrations, so the pictures do the heavy narrative lifting as a young duckling follows a butterfly away from the pond where the other ducks swim. Determined to locate them after it realizes its mistake, the fowl is thwarted time and again. The sounds of "Squawk!" are made by a local brass band (all humans in this title present white). Webbed footprints are the work of a snorkler. Feathers? That's a pillow fight. Only when the duck decides to get a little more proactive in its search does it discover that the other ducks have been hunting just as hard. The simplicity of the writing gives ample room for the artist's deft employment of visual humor. At one moment the duck gives young readers a half-lidded look of pure skepticism that breaks down the fourth wall. Kids will no doubt get a kick out of seeing the duck's expectations upset with increasing ludicrousness (a seeming duck egg that hatches a baby dinosaur climaxes the silliness). They'll enjoy even more the happy ending waiting in the wings. Fine-feathered and funny frolics. (Picture book. 3-6)

COPYRIGHT(2019) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

January 1, 2020
Distracted by a butterfly, a duck walks away from its pond and fellow ducks, only to discover upon returning that its friends are gone. Following some deceptive clues ("SQUAWK"s, footprints, feathers, etc.) leads the creature on a wild duck chase through a city until a "lost dog" sign gives our protagonist an idea that finally leads to the group's reunion. Underwood cleverly crafts her entire story using almost no text beyond the word duck ("DUCKS! / NO DUCKS! / DUCKS? / NO DUCKS"). Instead, the narrative largely plays out in McBeth's light blue and orange digital illustrations, making the book accessible to very young children. McBeth's minimalist style places the focus on the action by eschewing detailed backgrounds in favor of thick black outlines around the images to help them stand out against the white pages. Careful viewers may notice on the cover and title page that the protagonist is presumably a youngster, smaller than the other three ducks and with one feather to their two. Each reveal of a misleading clue and the young duck's exacerbated reaction adds visual humor, which lightens the tone of the otherwise serious subject matter; readers familiar with the "lost" child (or is it parent?) scenario should take comfort in the book's happy resolution.

(Copyright 2020 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

March 1, 2020
Distracted by a butterfly, a duck walks away from its pond and fellow ducks, only to discover upon returning that its friends are gone. Following some deceptive clues ("SQUAWK"s, footprints, feathers, etc.) leads the creature on a wild duck chase through a city until a "lost dog" sign gives our protagonist an idea that finally leads to the group's reunion. Underwood cleverly crafts her entire story using almost no text beyond the word ducks ("DUCKS! / NO DUCKS! / DUCKS? / NO DUCKS"). Instead, the narrative largely plays out in McBeth's light blue and orange digital illustrations, making the book accessible to very young children. McBeth's minimalist style places the focus on the action by eschewing detailed backgrounds in favor of thick black outlines around the images to help them stand out against the white pages. Careful viewers may notice on the cover and title page that the protagonist is presumably a youngster, smaller than the other three ducks and with one feather to their two. Each reveal of a misleading clue and the young duck's exacerbated reaction adds visual humor, which lightens the tone of the otherwise serious subject matter; readers familiar with the "lost" child (or is it parent?) scenario should take comfort in the book's happy resolution. Cynthia K. Ritter

(Copyright 2020 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)