Duck, Duck, Dad?

Humor that makes this picture book fun for reading aloud. [This book] captures the joy as well as the chaos when Ralph gives up his quiet life for one that's 'full of cuddles.'

Ralph, a red- and black-haired terrier, is unexpectedly thrust into fatherhood when a quiet walk takes him past a series of eggs from which dozens of ducklings simultaneously hatch, imprinting on the hapless canine. At first, Ralph has no idea how to care for his demanding new charges (do they eat "Dog food? Broccoli? CANDY?"), but he gives the task his all, and comic scenes depict the tired but content pooch swimming, snuggling, and caring for the unlikely brood. After a mallard arrives to claim ownership of Ralph's clutch, trading him for a "flock" of puppies, the mixed-species family that eventually results is no less endearing for its predictability: "Ralph loved his new puppies. But he also loved his ducklings." With the help of ample speech bubbles and energetic pen, watercolor, and colored pencil renderings, Scobie aptly captures the chick-sown chaos as well as the affectionate merriment that ensues when the creatures embrace a broad, inclusive definition of family. Ages 4-8. (May)

Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Praise for Rabbit! Rabbit! Rabbit!

This sweet, simply told, gently humorous story will work equally well at laptime or in group reading sessions. . . The colorful, delicately winsome illustrations add touches of comic flair. . . Young bunnies will happily hop along to this one. —Kirkus

The text is brisk and humorous on our hero's initial distaste for sharing. . . The watercolor, pen, and colored pencil art is cheerfully loopy; the critters all have enormous eyes, informally drawn bodies, and a cozily sketchy feel. —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books