Readers will have to suspend some realities of the animal kingdom, but may still enjoy this somewhat charming look at nature.
A duck encounters a sly, determined fox in a marsh setting.
On vividly illustrated pages, readers follow a duck through his day, gliding through the reeds, feasting on weeds and relishing the sun–with happy insects completing the idyllic scene. Lurking in the background, however, is a red fox waiting to surprise his unsuspecting prey. The duck doesn’t notice his predator at first, focusing instead on a beautiful butterfly, but soon sees the overbearing fox and his menacing sharp teeth. The fox takes aim and lands on the duck’s back–the resulting flurry of feathers begins to choke the fox, who begs the duck for help. Seeing a way out of his dilemma, the wise duck thwacks the fox’s head and back, clearing his throat. The fox then lets the duck go his way–hence the book’s title. Autumn arrives in a riot of colors, and the duck sees a V-shaped group of his brethren flying above. He spreads his wings, joins the troop and heads south. After the cold winter, duck returns to the marsh and is swimming with some baby ducks when he notices fox, still up to his scheming tricks. The fox’s target this time is a duckling–the duck saves the small bird by landing on the fox’s back and forcing him to let go. After a reprimand, the fox agrees to leave the ducklings alone. Weis draws on her rural childhood experience and her current Wisconsin home when she crafted this naturalistic tale. Still, some of her rhyming verse may be too mature for the children likely to be this book’s target audience, both in content and structure. Still, the text pairs well with the occasionally awkward illustrations and keeps the narrative moving at a comfortable pace. The animal characters and colorful pictures will have young children interested whether reading in a classroom setting or at home.
Readers will have to suspend some realities of the animal kingdom, but may still enjoy this somewhat charming look at nature.Pub Date: July 28, 2008
ISBN: 978-1-4196-9726-5
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
1892
Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2000
ISBN: 0-385-32706-4
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Doubleday
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 1999
Guest debuts in children’s books with a story of intergenerational love, focusing on the gardening efforts of two small animals. With the expert guidance of Ganny Bun, Tiny Bun and his friend, Little Mouse, learn how to create, care for, and grow a garden. Under Ganny’s tutelage, the duo learn of the six elements necessary for a garden: soil, seed, water, sun, time, and love. Together the novice gardeners prepare the soil, select and plant a plethora of seeds, and water the seedlings. When Tiny Bun, balking at the seemingly endless wait for results, asks Ganny Bun what he should do until the plants are ready, she shows him how he can turn his ordinary thumbs into tiny green thumbs. After doing all the weeding and caring for the plants, Tiny Bun discovers that his little thumbs are indeed green (and brown too, from all the weeds and dirt) and a bountiful vegetable garden awaits him for harvesting. Guest imbues the tale with genuine passion for the art of gardening and all things leafy and green. Krupinski’s lush illustrations, meticulously detailed and overflowing with an abundance of flora, depict the verdant beauty of a summer garden in all its glory. Interspersed throughout the text are simple, child-friendly directions for engaging in the pleasures of gardening. (Picture book. 4-7)
Pub Date: March 1, 2000
ISBN: 0-7868-0516-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Hyperion
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2000
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