SEYMOUR AND HENRY

A day of play for two brother ducklings. Seymour and Henry plop in the pond with Mommy for a swim. Then, instead of following her home, they decide—“Quack!”—to pit-a-pat away in search of mischief. They play in the tall grass and explore a log, a rock and an overturned flowerpot, in which either can fit snugly. It’s only when it starts to rain that the duo decides to race home. Halfway there, they find a waiting Mommy, who lets them ride on her back the rest of the way home. Although developmentally just right for toddlers beginning to experiment with independence, Mommy’s sanguinity at her ducklings’ explorations may seem odd for literal-minded modern grownups. The soft focus of Lewis’s pencil crayon and chalk pastel illustrations should attract the very young. Her ducks, which resemble stuffed animals (Mommy a multi-hued yellow check), are inspired, though older and wiser preschoolers may wonder at their apparent waterproof properties. A gentle and appealing adventure. (Picture book. 2-5)