Duddle Puck: The Puddle Duck

PreS-Gr 1—Wilson and Hall team up for the second time to tell the story of a mixed-up puddle duck. When Duddle arrives at the farm, the animals in residence are shocked and annoyed to hear him cluck, honk, oink and neigh, and they determine to teach him the right way to speak. After they model proper quacking, Duddle contemplates the irony of their awesome demonstration and in response lets out a hearty "Quack-a-doodle-do!" This rhyming story offers a fun, gentle lesson in identity and acceptance, but it's the ludicrous portrayal of Duddle and his disgruntled farm mates that will likely capture young readers' attention. Each spread features a comical interpretation of the puddle duck in his blue baseball cap and his efforts to fit in where he doesn't belong. The watercolor and ink illustrations afford a natural element to the incongruous scene. Alternating white and full-color backgrounds give readers opportunities to both inhabit some moments and step away from the fuss as the ever-present farmer and his cat do.