Ready or not, Dawdle Duckling

Children's Literature

Mamma Duck's ducklings are adorably outfitted in their top hats with different colored hat bands as they begin to play a favorite game of hide-and-seek. The first three ducklings are always able to hide successfully from their mother, while Dawdle chooses to hind behind different friends he meets who do not quite cover him up. His mother discovers his tail behind a turtle, his wings behind a frog and his feet behind a fish which all give him away. Finally, Dawdle's new friends team up to help Dawdle reach success in the game. The repetitive text of the game will have children predicting what mother duck is going to say. The concept of teamwork and friendship is clear message for preschoolers who will be attracted to this picture book. The bright and cheerful pastel colors and friendly, lovable characters will have young readers wanting to read the companion Dawdle Duckling book. 2005, Dial Books/Penguin Young Reader's Group, Ages 2 to 6.
—Melissa A. Caudill

School Library Journal

PreS-This book, like Dawdle Duckling (Dial, 2003), sports inviting pastels and a vigorous text in an easy-to-read font. Its ingenuous plot doesn't meander-although its main character does. When Mama Duck plays hide-and-seek with her four youngsters, three zip off to find effective hideouts. Dawdle, the easily distracted fourth duckling, has an inexhaustible supply of friends eager to help him. However, Mama Duck easily spots him behind a turtle, a laughably puffed-up bullfrog, and a lithe fish. A little collaboration finally brings Dawdle triumph. Spengler's compositions, her interplay of color and light, and her gift for conveying individuality in an unfailingly upbeat manner-all of these elements (plus enchanting details like duck-couture boaters and bonnets) transform a simple story into an excellent choice that is tailor-made for preschoolers.-Susan Weitz, Spencer-Van Etten Schools, Spencer, NY Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

The American cousin to Come Along, Daisy! (1998) returns in this sweet sequel to his eponymous debut. A mother duck plays hide-and-seek with her four ducklings at the beach. Dawdle Duckling is distracted by his friend turtle and needs a hiding place fast. He tries to hide behind turtle, but his tail is sticking out. In the next game, he hides behind frog and then behind fish. Each time some portion of his anatomy is sticking out-and Mama finds him. Only when all three friends work together to hide Dawdle does the lag-behind duckling successfully stay out of sight. Spengler's stand-out pastels are just as bright and active. Though Hide-and-Seek Daisy (2001), with its lift-the-flaps, was a bit more engaging, toddlers will identify with this friendly duckling who does things his own way. (Picture book. 2-5)