Emotional labeling—now that's an angry duck!—adds to the exuberant charm in this wacky animal roundup.
Outgoing Bear (“Hello, Little Person!”) introduces the players and their corresponding moods. Boynton's signature style gives zany animation to her trademark cartoon characters (dog, rabbit and moose, for starters). Facial expression undergoes minor adjustments to convey depth, through slight spacing between the eyes or the angled slant of the nose. Springy rhythmic phrases engage the audience. “Perhaps, like a pig, you are SWEETLY AMUSED, / Or perhaps, like a cow, you're COMPLETELY CONFUSED.” Pacing naturally rolls along through its conversational voice and irreverent asides. “You might feel that, somehow, you've lost all your fizz. / Or you're FRAZZLED LIKE A... um...FRAZZLED THING. (I'm not sure what it is.”) Some lighthearted fun with a nugget of truth, but it's all at the stodgy bird’s expense. “And a difficult mood is not here to stay / Everyone's moods will change day to day / Unless you're that duck. / He's always this way.”
Guaranteed to knock the bad mood out of anyone, duck included. (Board book. 2-4)
