"He lies on the floor while his roommate
holds one above his head, so he can see
what they look like flying.
And he has to have lots of tissue, because
ducks are messy. They use bathtubs, but
they do not use toilets.
Bob draws from a duck's-eye view, and a
child's view, too."
Bob and Nancy are only children when they realize they are meant to be artists. Bob's mind and hands are filled with images of objects to carve. Years later and in another place far from his home, Nancy works in her father's greenhouse to sculpt three-dimensional wreaths. Neither has any idea that, one day, they will meet and have a big impact on the world of books and art. This book shares a buoyant and wonderful journey that leads to their lasting friendship, despite distance and obstacles.
As Robert McCloskey puts his heart and soul into finding a way to make a living doing what he feels meant to do, he finally (after much strenuous and often hilarious research) creates a story about the ducks he has always loved to visit in Boston's Public Gardens. Make Way for Ducklings, a story about family and safety, is a huge hit and is the first in long line of successful bestsellers.
Nancy works diligently at the art she feels compelled to do. Marriage, children, and many moves find her always making a space for her creations. Small spaces result in small things. She longs to do more, and bigger. Her art is often rejected; still, she works. It takes a question from a friend's child to sow a seed for a new project. Just as Bob had worked so hard to create the art for his first book, Nancy works ever so carefully to bring his characters to life.
"And every day, she worries. This is Bob's book, but she does not know Bob. This is meant for the children of Boston, but she's not in charge of the city. Will all the right people say yes? Because Nancy has heard an awful lot of no."
The two finally meet. After careful consideration and pertinent questioning from Bob, a decision is made. Today, those ducks continue to attract attention and love from children and adults.
Gorgeous, vintage-style artwork by Claire Keane recalls the warm sepia tones of McCloskey’s drawings and the brass of the sculptures. There is much emphasis on the expressive faces of every living being. A wonderful compliment to the conversational and appealing text.
An author’s note and timeline provide more detail about the subjects and the sculptures.
"In the beginning, a duck is an egg.
A drawing is a blank page.
A sculpture is a lump of clay."
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