A Very Quacky Christmas

A determined duck sets out to prove that Christmas is for animals, too. Samantha Duck is unmoved when Sebastian the turtle repeatedly tells her that “Christmas is not for animals.” Despite his repeated attempts to discourage her, she persists in decorating for the holiday and saying, “We wish you a quacky Christmas.” Soon she enlists the help of other animals in making presents for “animals all over the world,” even persuading a doubtful Sebastian to help her. Throughout, loose linework reminiscent of Jules Feiffer’s or James Stevenson’s lends vitality to the animal characters; they are not fully anthropomorphic, but their human postures, particularly loyal friend Sebastian’s, are winning. The scenes are warm and sunny, perhaps indicating a Southern Hemisphere setting familiar to the Australian author and illustrator. A generous donkey agrees to share his cart, and then Samantha and Sebastian fill it with gifts and try to make it take off and fly so they can deliver the presents around the world. Alas, Sebastian’s doubts are fulfilled, and the cart stays firmly on the ground. Ultimately, it’s Sebastian’s urging that they try one more time to make the cart fly that sparks the Christmas magic to fulfill Samantha’s vision. They fly around the world delivering gifts to animals, and the book closes with a scene of them opening presents, too. (This book was reviewed digitally with 9-by-22-inch double-page spreads viewed at 10.6% of actual size.) 

Joy to the animal world, too. (Picture book. 2-5)

Copyright 2020 Kirkus Reviews, LLC Used with permission

Australian collaborators Watts and James underscore the rewards of ingenuity and sharing in this friendly tale about Samantha, a plucky duck who is determined to celebrate Christmas. Winding tinsel around reeds and hanging ornaments on a branch while singing, "We wish you a quacky Christmas," Samantha is undeterred by the grumblings of her turtle friend, Sebastian, who maintains that "Christmas is not for animals." Countering that the holiday is for anyone who likes to give and share, Samantha hatches a plan to make and deliver presents to animals the world over, aided by barnyard pals and a relenting Sebastian. They knit the sheep's wool into hats and scarves, bake cupcakes using the hens' eggs, weave daisy chains from the cows' field, and pile the gifts into a donkey's cart, which (after several failed attempts) the flapping duck propels into the air to complete her mission. Set against pastel backdrops, James's wispy, fluid pictures humorously--and affectingly--convey Samantha's spontaneity, optimism, and irrepressible holiday spirit. Ages 3-7. (Sept.)