The Children’s Book Review | March 9, 2017
Two delightful new books from the author who brought us PENGUIN ON VACATION and BEAR’S BIG DAY.
What to expect: Animals, Adventure, Friendship
Big Duck is a bit of a know it all, and likes to boss around her younger brother, Little Duck. She always thinks she knows better, even when Little Duck is showing her the way to fix her problem or remembering to do the thing they were planning on in the first place (missing a birthday party, anyone?). Joined by their friend Porcupine, a sweet and gentle critter, they have a lot of fun adventures.
Yoon’s books are absolutely adorable. She is a talented illustrator, and can do much with very sparse words. The comedy leaps off the page at every turn. The illustrations are bright and colorful, simple and totally adorable. Children love the bright purple porcupine with the dapper bowtie, and bossy Big Duck is perfectly pretty with her cute little bow. Cool-guy (and silent witness) Little Duck dons a sporty baseball hat and tends to lurk in the back of scenes, fixing the problems his big sister Big Duck makes. The overall theme of the books are friendship and kindness. Sometimes Big Duck misses the point of things, but it’s okay because her little brother is there to help her out. Cooperation is key! There’s a lot of humor here as well. Children will enjoy pointing out when and how Big Duck is wrong. How could she forget the lemons for her lemonade stand, after all? I appreciated the three story selection in each book, making these a great value. Who wouldn’t want to spend more time with these three adorable critters? Highly recommended.
Written and Illustrated by Salina Yoon
In the first book, DUCK, DUCK, PORCUPINE!, there are three short stories. First the friends decide to go on a picnic. Bossy Big Duck tells the others what to bring and how to have fun. But when it rains, Little Duck saves the day by showing the others how much fun rain can be. In the second story, Little Duck has to help Big Duck remember what she forgot, and when she keeps missing his clues he doesn’t get frustrated. He simply finds a new way to help her remember! The last story has a fun campout, where Big Duck insists on bringing a household of items (including the kitchen sink). But bringing so much stuff on a trip is too much work, and Porcupine is soon ready to call it quits. It’s Little Duck to the rescue again, remembering marshmallows and showing the other two how fun a campout can be!
Ages 5+ | Publisher: Bloomsbury | 2016 | ISBN-13: 978-1619637238
Written and Illustrated by Salina Yoon
The second book, MY KITE IS STUCK! AND OTHER STORIES, features Big Duck and the gang. Big Duck has a hard time figuring out how to get her beloved kite down from the tree. Throw some more things at it? Sure! It all sounds good to Big Duck. Thankfully Little Duck comes to the rescue with a ladder…only Big Duck uses it to climb up to play with the toys, instead of bringing them down. Silly Big Duck! In the second story, Porcupine has made a new friend with a fly, which Big Duck finds highly unacceptable. The third story is the best of all. The three friends open a lemonade stand. Big Duck knows everything there is to know about opening a lemonade stand. The stand needs to be built, there needs to be a fabulous sign, and of course, CURTAINS. Lots of curtains. Big Duck forgets one tiny thing – the lemonade! It’s Little Duck to the rescue, of course, with the best tasting fresh-squeezed lemonade.
Ages 5+ | Publisher: Bloomsbury | 2017 | ISBN-13: 978-1-61963-887-7
The A Duck, Duck, Porcupine Book series, by Salina Yoon, was reviewed by Denise Mealy. Discover more books like the A Duck, Duck, Porcupine Book series by following along with our reviews and articles tagged with A Duck Duck Porcupine Book, Beginning Readers, Ducks, and Salina Yoon.