Waddell adds an unusual twist to a familiar tale: “What’s that thing?” Duckling asks, seeing the egg beneath his Mommy. Bemused to learn that there’s a baby duck inside, Duckling goes to share the news, and finds out that he, his Grandpa, and every other duck came the same way—despite Cousin Small’s skepticism. Barton populates a peaceful pond-side setting with white grownups and fuzzy yellow younglings, all clustering around a large, pale blue egg that refuses to hatch—until Duckling’s own quiet “quack” results in a much larger CRACK!, “and out of the shell poked a tiny wee beak, and a tiny wee head, just like Duckling’s, but very much smaller.” The biological details may differ, but the situation and outcome will be perfectly meaningful to ducklings of the unfeathered sort, and the warm, low-key tone will provide a generous measure of comfort. (Picture book. 5-7)
