Duck, Duck, Dad?

by Lorna Scobie (Author) Lorna Scobie (Illustrator)

Duck, Duck, Dad?
Reading Level: K − 1st Grade

One dog . . . SO many ducklings! In this laugh-out-loud picture book that explores the meaning of family, Ralph the dog unexpectedly becomes the new dad to a flock of ducklings, and soon realizes he's bitten off more than he can chew!

Ralph the dog enjoyed a quiet life . . . until the day he stumbles across an egg. Surely the best thing for him to do is ignore it and walk right on by. But, CRACK! The egg hatches, then and there. What's inside? A cute and fluffy little duckling searching for a parent. And though Ralph isn't sure he wants a duckling, the duckling is definitely sure it wants Ralph! As does the very excitable, very loud, and very large flock of ducklings in the nearby field. . .

Filled with heart, hilarity, and adorably raucous ducklings, Lorna Scobie's Duck, Duck, Dad is a celebration of love and community that is perfect for all families, big and small--and fans of Mother Bruce, Harry the Dirty Dog, and Gaston.

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$8.99

ALA/Booklist

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.'

Publishers Weekly

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.

Review quotes

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

Lorna Scobie
Lorna Scobie is a London-based author-illustrator and book designer. Growing up surrounded by nature in the English countryside has heavily influenced her illustrations--her work often revolves around the natural world and animal kingdom. Lorna illustrates her work by hand, primarily using ink pens, watercolor and colored pencils. She is the author-illustrator of Rabbit! Rabbit! Rabbit!
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781250291097
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Henry Holt & Company
Publication date
June 06, 2023
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV019000 - Juvenile Fiction | Humorous Stories
JUV002070 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Dogs
JUV013040 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | New Baby
JUV002280 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Ducks, Geese, Etc.
Library of Congress categories
Animals
Dogs
Infancy
Picture books
Ducks
Fathers

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