Make Way for Ducklings (Picture Puffins) by Robert McCloskey Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Make Way for Ducklings (Picture Puffins)
Book Review: My favorite story when I was little
Summary: 5 Stars
I have to give this book five stars for being my absolute favorite book when I was little. I used to make my mom read it to me over and over, I must have heard it a million times! I grew up near Boston and you can see real places in Boston in some of the pictures. If you are a kid or a parent with kids you definitely need this book, especially if you are in or near Boston. I haven't read it in a long time (I'm 16 now) but I can still picture all the pictures.Book Review: Thanks, Mrs. Ross
Summary: 5 Stars
Mrs. Ross, my grammar school librarian imprinted this story into the memory of every child who went through Beecher School. She had a great tall figure and a booming husky voice, and her duck characters were the best. You could picture the ducks waddling across the street as she read. Then she'd hold up the pages, and confirm our wild imaginings. All my school friends no doubt read this classic to their children thanks to the introduction made by a school librarian who was a character all by herself. What a proud legacy. My own kids have outgrown picture books, but they wouldn't be without this one. Neither should you. Alyssa A. LappenBook Review: Familiar and Different, Old and New
Summary: 5 Stars
Old-time downtown Boston and an old-time policeman, who kindly befriends the ducks, are brought back to life with Robert McCloskey`s simple and clean drawings and engaging text, hearkening us to a slower and gentler time. Yet these things still happen in the world today. Every once in a while on the News, here in Japan, we`ll see a feature on wild animals dealing with city life, including ducks in a similar situation to the Mallard family in this timeless and timely story. The boys take pleasure from hearing the tale of the ducks and their search for a suitable home, especially when they know such things actually happen.Book Review: make way for ducklings
Summary: 4 Stars
This book explains a mama and papa duckling who are in search of the perfect spot to hatch their little ducklings. They search and search for the perfect spot until they find one particular area that seems to meet all of the classifications. They need to have enough water to swim in, a place that's not too dangerous, and a spot where there aren't such horrid things as bicycles flying by. They finally find the best location appropriate for bringing up their little ducklings. It's a cute little story that little children would be interested in reading. Kids would like the simplicity of the pictures which the author has chosen to use of sepia illustrations without any color. This simplicity goes right along with the easily understood text that younger children can relate to. The book explains that the mama duckling makes sure that her little ones learn all of the appropriate things they need to know in order to make it in the world. Some of these include: teaching her ducklings to comes when they are called and keeping a safe distance from dangerous things on the road. These little concepts are appropriate for the intended age level.The story takes place back in the 1940's and this is explained by the type of illustrations used as well. The book also includes a policeman named Michael. It desribes him as a heavier man who feeds them peanuts. Michael also stops the busy traffic of Boston so that the little ducklings can pass through. Some critics may say that this is a stereotype of policemen. This might imply that law enforcement officials are maybe not in the best shape and that they might take the time to do meaningless types of activities that other people don't seem to understand. This is up to the adult to decide as they read this book to children.
This would be a nice book to share with younger students in the Springtime. It's yellow cover which symbolizes the color of ducklings is a good choice. The smaller size of the book is a good style to use for this intended age level as well. This book has made a lasting impression for the general body of children's literature.
In the classroom, let the children glue yellow cotton balls on their own pieces of poster board to create their versions of little ducklings.
Book Review: A McCloskey Classic
Summary: 4 Stars
Robert McCloskey's classic children's book, Make Way for Ducklings is just as delightful in the year 2002 as it was back when it was first published in 1941. The timeless story of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard and their eight adorable ducklings is still a fun read for children and parents alike. The story begins as the prospective parents search for a new home suitable for raising their young ones. Mrs. Mallard is clearly the expert in this endeavor and Mr. Mallard is quite relieved when she finally settles on a spot that is not too dangerous or noisy for their young family. The couple make themselves quite at home on a little island in the Charles River of Boston, a quiet oasis within the busy city. Soon the ducklings hatch and Mrs. Mallard sets about teaching them all they need to know in order to live in the city. By now they have made good friends with some of their human neighbors, especially Michael, the policeman. When the family makes its first trip into the city, Michael calls for backup and literally stops traffic all along their path. The people the Mallards encounter are just as pleased to see the ducks as the Mallards are to be there. The reader leaves the family settling comfortably for the night after a day of happily following the Swan boats in the park and eating the peanunts tossed their way. The charm of this book lies in both the heartwarming story and th realistic but idyllic illustrations. McCloskey is quite gifted at portraying the natural world to children in a way that is authentic and familiar. Most children have seen duck families in a nearby pond and witnessed the way the ducklings learn about the world by waddling along after their parents. The sketched illustrations add to the natural feeling of the book. The depiction of the ducks is terrific because they are visually expressive but still look like ducks. Another engaging facet of the story is the positive interaction between animals and humans. The Mallards find a way to live comfortably within a city full of people and their human neighbors are welcoming and accommodating. Overall, this a warm and timeless book. It is just perfect for a parent and child to read together or for a teacher to read to a classroom of younger kids. This is a good selection for children aged 3 to 7.