Mama’s Little Duckling
Written by Marjorie Blaine Parker
Illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka
Dutton Children’s Books, 2008
Picture Book, 32 pages
Ages 1–7
Paperback ISBN: 978-0-142-41532-0
Awards & Good Things
- Korean Translation
- A Children’s Book of the Month Club Selection
Book Description
In this exciting adventure, Dandelion Duckling is ready to swim around the pond all by himself. Soon he’s paddling across the water to visit his friends — Dragonfly, Little Polliwog, and the Centipedes. Of course, Mama is always nearby and watching closely. When she sees danger, she sounds a warning, and Dandelion scoots right back to her side. But one day, not even Mama sees the weasel. Luckily, Dandelion remembers what Mama taught him — before it’s too late!
Look Inside
Reviews
“This tender tale deals with a milestone every family faces: finding a balance between a child’s budding independence and a parent’s need for security. Wohnoutka’s brightly colored acrylics feature large, up-close views of the characters, making this perfect for sharing with groups. Both Dandelion’s exuberance and Mom’s reluctance are clearly painted on their faces, and the two plainly exude love for one another. A delightful addition to any preschool or toddler collection.”
“The text is lyrical, cleverly using repetitive phrases and rhyming words without actually adhering to a strict poetic structure. Glowing with bold shades of turquoise, orange, gold, and green, the oversize illustrations vibrantly depict the ducks and pond animals–both Dandelion’s friends and enemies. Although there are many duck stories available, this one is a standout. The bright-hued artwork and rhythmic text make it a wonderful choice for toddlers and preschoolers, as well as a perfect storytime selection.”
“Wohnoutka’s saturated, pastel-like paintings immediately draw in the audience—his full-bleed compositions, feel for action and exuberant characterizations bring to mind the golden age of animation. Better still, he situates readers exactly at the center of the action. Wohnoutka’s art invites readers into the protagonist’s role, where they can absorb his growing competence.”
