Hannah Duck

Children's Literature - Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz

Hannah Duck lives happily at home with her friends Gigi the parakeet and KameKame the turtle. But when she walks to the park gate on Sundays, she has to admit to her friends that the walk frightens her. Gigi offers to accompany her, giving her the courage to go through the gate into the park. There, friendly birds and cats greet them. She and Gigi agree that it is a beautiful day. When they return home, they suggest that KameKame join them next time. From then on, they are "content every day." The color woodcuts that tell the visual tale are so simple that they seem almost crude. The opening double-page scene presents the odd trio comfortably ensconced in a room with simple objects like plants and curtained windows. Hannah can see flocks of pigeons, cats and blackbirds in the park. It takes some coaxing from Gigi to get her into the park to discover the friendly reception and, finally, "the most beautiful sunset," depicted on a double-page spread in swaths of blues, greens, and earth tones. There is a simple message in this simple tale. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1- Hannah Duck lives contentedly with Gigi the parakeet and KameKame the turtle, but dreads her Sunday walks alone to the park. Afterward Gigi and KameKame pepper her with questions about the outside, and when she finally admits that the walks frighten her, Gigi offers to go along, giving Hannah the courage to amble through the gate and make new friends. Charming woodcut illustrations are the highlight of this offering, showcasing Yamamura's substantial talent as a visual artist. Bold black outlines and a sunny palette create an atmosphere that is warm and promising. However, the story is contrived and even illogical. If Hannah is so afraid of her walks, why does she go? And if Gigi is so curious about the outside, why didn't she accompany her friend in the first place? Initially it looks like the bird is confined to her cage, yet she's able to come and go at will. An additional choice, at best.-Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library

Kirkus Reviews

Originally published in Japan, the wood engravings of this simple story adroitly create visual interest, but it lacks a strong narrative thread. Most days, Hannah Duck, Gigi the parakeet and KameKame the turtle are content at home. On Sundays Hannah Duck goes for a walk to the park but turns around and comes home, neither peaceful nor content. When she returns, Gigi and KameKame always ask what she saw, and finally Hannah Duck stops pretending and confesses that walks scare her. When Gigi offers to go with her, they enjoy a beautiful day, meet the formerly scary park denizens (pigeons, crows and cats who turn out to be very friendly) and enjoy a gorgeous sunset. From then on, the three friends are content every day. The illustrations are handsomely crafted, but unfortunately, the text is rather stilted with a choppy flow that weakens the message. (Picture book. 4-6)