Book Review #3

 Book Review:  Make Way For Ducklings by Robert McCloskey

1.  Bibliography

McCloskey, Robert. 1941. MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS. New York: The Viking Press. ISBN: 9780670451494

2.  Plot Summary

Mr. and Mrs. Mallard are looking for a new home to start a family.  Mrs. Mallard wants a safe place they can raise their children, they fly around in Boston looking for the perfect place.  They stop for a rest at the Boston Public Garden, after almost being run over by a kid on a bicycle she decides that would not be a good spot to raise a family.  They fly off and go to the Charles River where there their eight ducklings hatch.  Mrs, Mallard teaches her eight ducklings what they need to survive while Mr. Mallard goes to the Boston Public Garden where they will meet in a week.  After a week Mrs. Mallard and her ducklings set off to meet Mr. Mallard.  As they're on their way they encounter some problems and a nice police officer help escort them to the Public Garden.  When they are finally there, safe and sound they meet Mr. Mallard in  a little island in the pond.  The little ducklings liked the new island so much they decided to live there.

3.  Critical Analysis

This is a very entertaining story about a family of ducks looking for the perfect home to raise babies.  The story moves from one situation keeping the reader engaged throughout the whole story.  McCloskey keeps the reader engaged with the strong personality of Mrs. Mallard who teaches her ducklings how to survive in the city.  He also uses rhyming names for the ducklings, this is something young readers find entertaining.  I read this book to my first grade students and they absolutely enjoyed it.  Since the book is pretty long, I read it in two days. When I stopped in the middle of the story the first day the students wanted more, they wanted me to keep reading.  They were very curious about what would happen next.

McCloskey's pencil illustrations are unique, very different from the normal children's books.  Most children's books are in color and this is just in black and white which manages to keep the reader engaged.

It is a very entertaining book for children of all ages, keeps the reader engaged and wanting more.

4.  Book Excerpts

Award-The Caldecott Medal 1942

Starred Review in New York Times: "one of the merriest books ever."

Starred Review in THE HORN BOOK: Robert McCloskey's unusual and stunning pictures have long been a delight for their fun as well as their spirit of place."

5.  Connections

This book can lead to discussions of mothers taking care of their children and wanting them to be safe.  We can have children making connections of how Mr. & Mrs. Mallard are like their own parents, what are some things they did in the story that reminds them of things their parents do.  Other children's books written by Robert McCloskey are Blueberries for Sal and One Morning in Maine.