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Friday, February 16, 2018

Ducks Away! Written by Mem Fox and illustrated by Judy Horacek. Scholastic. 2018. $23.99 ages 3 and up

"Wait! It was four little ducks.

What? It was five little ducks,
except just then ...

a sudden gust of wind swept the
last little duck right into the river
below!

"Oh,  no!" quacked Mother Duck.
"What should I do?  ... "

I may have told you this in an earlier post. I love Mem Fox and her wonderful books! When I was working in a school library, and with early learners, we used every one of them as incentive for independent reading. Young children love the repetition, the word choice, the rhyme and rhythm that is evident in each one. Mem works hard to pen these brilliant books, and I appreciate her talent and  love of literacy.  If you want to learn more about her, go to www.memfox.com for a visit.

So, I am always on the lookout for a new book to add to my collection. Ducks Away arrived in the mail last week with a box full of new books from Nikole at Scholastic. I am grateful to her for sending it along; and I want to share it with you.

Mama Duck and her babies are off on an excursion that includes crossing a fairly high bridge. Mama leads the way and her ducklings follow right behind her. There are five of them. Unfortunately, just as the last little one catches up, a gust of wind blows her off the bridge and into the river below them. Mama is worried, of course. One in the river, four on the bridge! While the wee ducklings seem unconcerned, it is not the same for Mama. What is a mother to do? So it goes with each of the little ones  ...

"Oh, no!" quacked Mother Duck.
"What should I do?
Where should I go,
with three on the bridge
and two below?"

The text is so perfect that kids will soon be worrying right along with Mama, and they won't recognize that they are learning early math concepts as they go.

Judy Horacek has collaborated with Ms. Fox for other delightful titles: Where Is The Green Sheep?, This and That, and Good Night, Sleep Tight. She  uses simple images and lovely color to adeptly match the carefully written  text. Action is focused squarely on the duck family. Kids are going to love it!

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