Lucky Duck

Children's Literature

Several words per page and detailed illustrations work to show readers how lucky this bird is. He is not paying attention, but dropped ice cream, falling pianos, open manhole covers, revolving doors, and other potential hazards elude the hapless or clueless duck. That is, until he gets safely home, slips on a banana peel inside his own front door, and tumbles into bed. The controlled vocabulary features short sentences. Words such as "Watch out!" and "Whoa!" and "Good Grief!" and "Whew!" might challenge readers as there's no context for these interjections, but there are plenty of picture clues. In the humorous illustrations, there are enough jokes, including the amalgam duck whose colors and parts seem borrowed from throughout the duck world, to challenge more proficient readers to check the signage, as well. Fun to read and fun to look at. This book is part of the "Ready-to-Read" series, Level 1. 2004, Aladdin, Ages 4 to 6.
—Susan Hepler, Ph.D.

School Library Journal

K-Gr 2-Children accustomed to fluffy white and yellow ducks will enjoy the distinguished air of this sophisticated wood duck who sports a vest, bow tie, and hat. Lucky Duck is indeed quite lucky as he goes through his day, quite unaware that he is narrowly avoiding one disaster after another. He just misses being hit in the head by a falling can of paint, stepping into an open manhole, etc. Done in tones of brown and green, the artwork offers a calming view of the bird's nearly hazardous experiences. The illustrations contain a considerable amount of detail, allowing youngsters to find something new on repeated viewings. Although some of the interjections ("Good grief," "Whoa," "Whew") may be challenging for the earliest readers to decode, the story is amusing enough to grab children's interest. This book is appropriate for beginning readers still working closely with adults.-Anne L. Tormohlen, Deerfield Elementary School, Lawrence, KS Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.