Lucky Duck

by Greg Pizzoli (Author)

Lucky Duck
Reading Level: K − 1st Grade

From Geisel Award-winning author Greg Pizzoli comes a hilarious picture book about a duck who learns just how lucky she is.

Susan the duck has the worst luck. Her roller skates are two sizes too big. She's lost her favorite marble. And she's run out of pickles. But with each unfortunate discovery, Wolf shows up with a gift she's won. Her luck has turned around . . . hasn't it? Come see just how lucky Susan is, in this slyly funny story about finding luck when you least expect it.

Geisel Award-winning creator Greg Pizzoli delivers another rib-tickling picture book that will have kids howling with laughter.

Select format:
Hardcover
$18.99

Kirkus

It's a lucky thing indeed that this book is as great a joy to read aloud as it is.

None

This amusing, clever take on familiar tropes will be a favorite in storytimes and homes.

ALA/Booklist

The charming illustrations....are packed with diverting details and hilariously capture the physical humor when everything comes to a head. An entertaining exercise in seeing setbacks from a different perspective.

Publishers Weekly

Susan the duck, cartooned by Pizzoli in crisp black lines filled with sherbet-hued greens, oranges, and pinks, is experiencing a streak of rotten luck. The roller skates she ordered are too big, an inconveniently situated light bulb burns out, her pickle jar is empty, she can't find her favorite marble, and hornets are nesting in a tree outside her window. But amid these unfortunate events, all witnessed by a tiny insect in Susan's home, glimmers of good luck abound when a formally dressed wolf starts dropping by, bearing various elements needed for soup ("You have won this fabulous pot!... And now you have won these wonderful onions!"). Readers will guess at the wolf's motives long before a reveal that duck soup is on the menu, but an elaborate narrative turn offers high comedy--and bad luck turned good--as Susan's previous perceived misfortunes become instrumental in driving the wolf away. Offering soup for thought about using luck as a lens to make sense of the world, it's a briskly told story whose baddie's comeuppance is reminiscent of Home Alone. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 3-7. (Feb.)

Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"I"A briskly told story whose baddie's comeuppance is reminiscent of Home Alone." —Publishers Weekly

"This picture book invites a read-aloud or solo read for a stronger reader....will have kids giggling in relief." —The Bulletin

Greg Pizzoli
Greg Pizzoli is the creator of the Baloney and Friends graphic novel series, as well as the author and illustrator of the award-winning picture booksThe Watermelon Seed, Good Night Owl, and The Book Hog. He also writes nonfiction for kids, including the New York Times Best Illustrated title Tricky Vic, and he is the illustrator of the Jack series by Mac Barnett. Greg Pizzoli works in a studio he shares with his wife, Kay Healy, who is a printmaker and fiber artist. They live in South Philadelphia with their two daughters, dog, and cats.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780593649770
Lexile Measure
550
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication date
February 06, 2024
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV019000 - Juvenile Fiction | Humorous Stories
JUV051000 - Juvenile Fiction | Imagination & Play
JUV002280 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Ducks, Geese, Etc.
Library of Congress categories
Picture books
Ducks
Humorous fiction
Wolves
Fortune
Luck

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