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Summary: A Brilliant Tale for the Kids (and adults, too)!!!
Review: Talk about the wonders of your own neighborhood. Robert McCloskey has taken a tale of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard and brought it to Boston, Massachusetts, and within its pages are not only the wonderful illustrations of Boston, but Beacon Hill, the Charles River, and other sites of interest. The story is heart-warming, as it follows the adventures of Mrs. Mallard and her eight little ducklings, as well as the protector of a local Boston police officer - Michael - and where they end up to avoid all the hub of the city will warm your heart as well. The book was originally written in 1949, and of special note are the sketches of the cars of that era, down to their very special particularity. A wonderful book and highly recommended!!!
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Summary: Make Way for Duckllings is truly a Cauldecott Medal Winner.
Review: The Cauldecott Medal is given to those childrens' books with outstanding illustrations. In "Make Way for Ducklings" Robert McCloskey has captured the personalities of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard's brood of duclkings from first hatch to the time they must go from the Charles River to the Boston Gardens. He has created the setting for a wonderful introduction to the world of ducks in the big city, and this book gives the reader the opportunity to ask questions about how birds really raise their families, or where exactly is Boston? So, it presents an opportunity to discuss nature, geography, birds, or even the hazards of living in a big city, when you are a duck. I used this book when I taught 2nd grade as an introduction to a bird unit. I also read it to my own children, over and over. A most higly recommended piece of children's literature!
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Summary: make way for ducklings
Review: This book explains a mama and papa duckling who are in search of the perfect spot to hatch their little ducklings. They search and search for the perfect spot until they find one particular area that seems to meet all of the classifications. They need to have enough water to swim in, a place that's not too dangerous, and a spot where there aren't such horrid things as bicycles flying by. They finally find the best location appropriate for bringing up their little ducklings. It's a cute little story that little children would be interested in reading. Kids would like the simplicity of the pictures which the author has chosen to use of sepia illustrations without any color. This simplicity goes right along with the easily understood text that younger children can relate to. The book explains that the mama duckling makes sure that her little ones learn all of the appropriate things they need to know in order to make it in the world. Some of these include: teaching her ducklings to comes when they are called and keeping a safe distance from dangerous things on the road. These little concepts are appropriate for the intended age level.The story takes place back in the 1940's and this is explained by the type of illustrations used as well. The book also includes a policeman named Michael. It desribes him as a heavier man who feeds them peanuts. Michael also stops the busy traffic of Boston so that the little ducklings can pass through. Some critics may say that this is a stereotype of policemen. This might imply that law enforcement officials are maybe not in the best shape and that they might take the time to do meaningless types of activities that other people don't seem to understand. This is up to the adult to decide as they read this book to children. This would be a nice book to share with younger students in the Springtime. It's yellow cover which symbolizes the color of ducklings is a good choice. The smaller size of the book is a good style to use for this intended age level as well. This book has made a lasting impression for the general body of children's literature. In the classroom, let the children glue yellow cotton balls on their own pieces of poster board to create their versions of little ducklings.
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Summary: This book is about a family who needs a home.
Review: This book is about a mom duck and a dad duck. The mom and dad leave to find a perfect place to live. After they thought they found the perfect place to live the mom hatched her babies. They found that it was to cramped for family so they walked to a harbor. They passed highways, parking lots, and just regular streets. The ducks met a special friend that helped them cross every street until they got to the bay. The friend was a friendly Boston police officer.
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Summary: Truly a children's classic.
Review: This book was a favorite of mine when I was
young and was featured reading on Captain
Kangaroo. A delightful tale of Mallards raising
their brood and a look at city life from a birds-eye point of view. You'll be rooting for this duck family as they snarl traffic on an outing to the park.
This is a story that's everying it's "quacked" up to be
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Summary: Enchanting book with heart-warming pictures, but...
Review: This heartwarming story will enchant any young child. The feelings of love for one's children are evident as is the notion of helpfulness to those in need. McCloskey makes it nearly impossible not to smile after reading the book. I did have a bone to pick though. It struck me odd when Mr. Mallard suddenly leaves his wife with eight newborn ducklings for a week as soon as they hatch so he can have fun touring the city while she is busy raising them alone. Is that the sexism of the author shining through?
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Summary: A Tribute to Author Robert McCloskey
Review: This is a loving tribute to Robert McCloskey, the author and illustrator of the best loved children's books, 'Make Way for Ducklings,' 'Homer Price' and 'Blueberries for Sal.' McCloskey passed away June 30, 2003 at the age of 88 at his home in Deer Isle near Portland, Maine. His books focused on family experiences, small-town life, his island home in Maine and Boston. Boston was the setting for his 1941 book, 'Make Way for Ducklings.' It's about a father and mother duck who leads their eight ducklings thorugh the busy streets of the big city. McCloskey a native of Hamilton, Ohio went to Boston in 1932 to study art when he watched some ducklings waddling through traffic. The book won a Caldecott Medal for best American children's picture book. There is also a bronze sculpture of the mother duck and her eight ducklings as a popular tourist attraction in Boston. McCloskey and his family spent summers on Scott Island in Maine, where he wrote 'Blueberries for Sal,' 'One Morning in Maine' and 'Time of Wonder.' 'Time of Wonder' won a second Caldecott Medal. McCloskey has left behind a rich legacy of stories that woven around American living and families, like those of E.B. White and A.A. Milne. This is one of the best children's classics I'd recommend to any parent.
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Summary: Good story
Review: This is a nice tale of a family of ducks finding their place in the world. We have the hard back version and the "book on tape" and both of my children like it. Nice to pair with The Trumpet of the Swan as part of this book is also set in Boston.
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Summary: Makes me want to waddle up to Boston!
Review: This lovely family of ducks is great! I enjoyed the audiocassette so much that my Mom bought the book as a surprise! I love the way Boston looks from the Mallard's view. I want to see it someday.
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Summary: Make way for tears of joy!
Review: This story will bring a smile to your face and tears of joy to your heart as you rejoice with this American family! Dasia says, "This lovely family of ducks is great! I enjoyed the audiocassette so much that my Mom bought the book as a surprise! I love the way Boston looks from the Mallard's view. I want to see it someday." This is an enjoyable trip (on audio and in print) that every family should take!
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