Little Quack by Lauren Thompson, Derek Anderson (Illustrator)

From Barnes & Noble

The Barnes & Noble Review
New York Times bestselling author Lauren Thompson serves up a delightfully breezy story/counting book about a duckling who musters the courage to take the plunge. When he hears from Mama Duck that it's time to leave the nest, Little Quack happily follows his siblings to the water's edge. But after seeing them each dive bravely into the water after her, the timid guy isn't sure he's got the gumption to follow along. Fortunately, though, Little Quack has a cheerfully supportive family, and with some coaxing and confidence ("'You can do it,' Mama said./ 'We know you can!' said Widdle, Waddle, Piddle, and Puddle."), the littlest guy makes the jump with a big splash.

With warm, welcoming artwork from first-time picture book illustrator Derek Anderson, Little Quack combines a plucky story with an easy-to-follow counting lesson. Kids will marvel at the Quack-U-Lator at the bottom, providing a fun and easy numbers primer for them as Little Quack's tale builds plenty of self-confidence. A heartwarming tale that's fun for quiet sharing and a surefire storytime winner, this ducky read gets top billing. Matt Warner

From the Publisher

Lauren Thompson is the New York Times best-selling author of Mouse's First Christmas, Mouse's First Halloween, and Mouse's First Valentine. Her other books include Love One Another and One Riddle, One Answer. She is a children's book editor, and along with her husband and son, makes her home in Brooklyn, New York.

Publishers Weekly

The winsome feathered fellow first introduced in Little Quack returns in a board book edition and in a third hardcover companion book, Little Quack's Bedtime by Lauren Thompson, illus. by Derek Anderson. PW said of the debut book, "Anderson's depiction of the adorable ducklings, working up their courage to join their fuzzy siblings will keep toddlers coming back." And the feathered quintet is every bit as adorable in Bedtime as, one by one, Mama dispels their fears of the night. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Candace Deisley - Children's Literature

Little Quack, the smallest of the five ducklings in this story, is reluctant to follow his siblings into the water, but finally musters his courage and dives in. Using a repeated banner at the bottom of each page on which a duckling takes the plunge, the book instructs the reader to count the ducklings. (This banner is, unfortunately, called a "Quack-u-lator.") Bright and cheery colored acrylics on canvas show the frolicking ducklings and their mom among the reeds. The counting only goes up to five, however, and makes the book useful to a very limited audience for a very limited period of time. 2005 (orig. 2003), Little Simon/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Ages 2 to 3.

Children's Literature

Little Quack is one of five little ducks who live with their mama in a nest. One day, mama duck tells her babies that it is time to leave the nest. The babies are too scared to leave, but mama duck persuades them one by one. At first they have a difficult time taking the leap into the water. Mama duck encourages them to be brave. One by one, they see the others in the water and get the courage to jump; however, Little Quack is the last to go. He hesitates to get out of the nest. He cautiously puts his foot in the water. Then he gets up the boldness to make the jump his brothers and sisters have made. He splashes around excitedly as he joins his mama, brothers, and sisters in the water. This beautifully illustrated book will capture the reader's attention as they read about each duck and wait for the jump to be made. The reader is invited to interact with the book by counting the ducks as they jump into the water. This book is part of the "Little Quack" series. Reviewer: Cathi I. White

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2-This delightfully simple story is sure to become a storytime favorite. Imagine Mama Duck's surprise when her five ducklings are more than a little reluctant to leave their cozy nest for the big pond. One by one, though, she manages to coax them into the water-first Widdle, next Waddle, then Piddle, and Puddle, but Little Quack can't be budged. Eventually, after some convincing from his mother and his siblings, he dives in and-guess what-he loves it! Whether counting up or counting down, this early introduction to math provides a painless lesson, and the "quack-u-lator" across the bottom of the pages that "adds" ducklings to the pond makes it even more fun. Anderson's colorful paintings complete the package. Each duckling has its own personality and its own "feather do," too. Young readers and budding mathematicians are sure to enjoy a sense of accomplishment along with these ducklings. Little Quack may also have some bibliotherapeutic applications during swim-lesson season. Team up this charmer with Jane Simmons's "Daisy" stories (Little, Brown) and Amy Hest's "Baby Duck" (Candlewick) for a ducky time.-Jeanne Clancy Watkins, Chester County Library, Exton, PA Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

The odyssey of ducklings venturing forth from their comfortable nests into the big world resonates with children and has been a well-traveled subject of many works geared toward young readers. Thompson's (Mouse's First Valentine, 2002, etc.) latest effort will certainly appeal to youngsters despite its lack of originality. Mama Duck is coaxing her five hesitant ducklings (Widdle, Waddle, Piddle, Puddle, and Little Quack) into the water one at a time. A "quack-u-lator" at the bottom of the pages adds an interesting mathematical element, helping children count along as ducklings jump into the pond. Mama encourages each nervous duckling to "paddle on the water with me . . . you can do it . . . I know you can." Overcoming their initial fright, the first four ducklings "splish, splash, sploosh, and splosh" happily into the water. The simple tale's climax occurs when Little Quack wavers at the water's edge. "Could he do it? Did he dare?" Not to spoil the ending, but suffice it to say all five ducklings swim off "proud as can be." In his debut effort, Anderson's bright and colorful illustrations are lively and captivating. The five adorable ducklings embark on this rite of passage sporting unique looks ranging from Mohawk-type head feathers to orange spots and flowered hair adornments. A pleasant enough take on an old standby. (Picture book. 2-5)

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