This cautionary tale from Simmons explores no new terrain, though the duckling Daisy does. As Daisy and her mother go for a morning float, the mother advises Daisy to stay close. “I’ll try,” Daisy chimes, but there are just too many delights to partake in: minnows, dragonflies, lily pads, frogs. So rapt is Daisy that she loses sight of her mother. Daisy’s world becomes a menacing place: Pike lurk in the shadowy depths, a raptor screeches in the sky above. Daisy hides, but something rustles and “is getting closer, and closer, and CLOSER.” Just when preschoolers will be at the edge of their chairs comes the revelation that the threat is the mother duck, back to find her offspring. This picture book has just enough suspense, without being too scary; deep green reeds dominate the splotchy, roughly textured painting. The dramatic images can be viewed from a distance, making this an appealing read-aloud for story hours. (Picture book. 3-7)
