Hey, Duck!

February 18, 2013
Bramsen (The Yellow Tutu) introduces an enthusiastically oblivious duckling who believes the cat he meets is a duck. The concept and rhyming exchange between the characters should tickle preschoolers, who will love feeling smarter than the duckling: "Hey, duck! Why do you walk like that?/ I slink because I am a cat./ Hey, duck! Why is your tail so long?/ Oh, please don't call me duck. It's wrong." However, the cat, as aloof as Greta Garbo, wants to be alone, and sends the duckling packing. Bramsen's artwork has a fluffy, dreamy, and almost three-dimensional quality that excels at expressing the characters' shock, dismay, delight, or surprise. In a gratifying if somewhat mystifying turn, the cat has a change of heart and seeks out the duckling, telling him, "My sense of me has gone amuck!/ I'm pretty sure I am a duck./ I'm not a cat, this much I know./ For no real cat could miss you so." Despite the odd turnaround, readers will enjoy the unlikely friends' realization that, feathers or fur, it makes no difference when it comes to fun. Ages 3â7. Agent: Marietta Zacker, Nancy Gallt Literary Agency.

December 1, 2012
A clueless duckling tries to make a new friend. He is confused by this peculiar-looking duck, who has a long tail, doesn't waddle and likes to be alone. No matter how explicitly the creature denies he is a duck and announces that he is a cat, the duckling refuses to acknowledge the facts. When this creature expresses complete lack of interest in playing puddle stomp, the little ducking goes off and plays on his own. But the cat is not without remorse for rejecting an offered friendship. Of course it all ends happily, with the two new friends enjoying each other's company. Bramsen employs brief sentences and the simplest of rhymes to tell this slight tale. The two heroes are meticulously drawn with endearing, expressive faces and body language, and their feathers and fur appear textured and touchable. Even the detailed tree bark and grass seem three-dimensional. There are single- and double-page spreads, panels surrounded by white space and circular and oval frames, all in a variety of eye-pleasing juxtapositions. While the initial appeal is solidly visual, young readers will get the gentle message that friendship is not something to take for granted but is to be embraced with open arms--or paws and webbed feet. A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together. (Picture book. 3-6)

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January 1, 2013

PreS-Gr 1-The "duck" of the title is actually a cat, a fact that children will immediately recognize. But the duckling calling out to the feline still insists on calling it a duck and wanting to be friends. In spite of his persistent badgering, the cat politely refuses to join the little guy in dancing the puddle stomp. But after napping, the cat suddenly has a change of heart and decides to befriend the duckling after all. Bramsen's rhyming text is accompanied by bright illustrations in a pastoral setting. The detailed drawings are lovely-every blade of grass, flower petal, piece of tree bark, drop of splashed water, yellow fuzz on the duckling, and strand of white, black, and brown fur on the cat is meticulously rendered. Duckling displays several priceless facial expressions, although the cat doesn't look nearly as annoyed as it sounds. However, the story is slight, and the cat's decision to become the duckling's playmate is unconvincing. An additional offering.-Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2013
Preschool-K A duckling pursues friendship with a cat, convinced the feline is actually another duck. Predictably, the cat rebuffs him, so the duckling puddle-stomps off on his own. Later the cat reconsiders, tracking down his new pal to proclaim himself also a duck with a QUACK! although he draws the line at getting wet. Duck is so pleased he declares, Well, duck or cat, you're my friend now, / which makes me want to shout MEOW! Bramsen, who also illustrated The Yellow Tutu (2009), contributes both text and pictures, employing a similar palettesky-blue backgrounds and bright yellowalthough here it is the duckling that is yellow rather than a tutu. Her realistic characters exude a cheery, greeting-card feel, which is generally pleasing except for the cat's piercing stare. Rhyming helps make the text predictable, although certain phrases such as missed the boat may confuse young listeners. Pair with Willems' Cat the Cat, Who Is That? (2010) and Cooper's Pumpkin Soup (1999) for a friendship-themed story hour.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2013
In this droll rhyming conversation, a duckling mistakes a cat for another duck and pesters it to play. The cat isn't interested: "Will you please note that I'm a cat. / I want to be alone, so scat!" Soon the kitty realizes it misses the friend-seeking duckling after all. The soft-focus illustrations capture the personality--and adorable fuzziness--of each critter.

(Copyright 2013 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)