One Duck - Softcover

Hutchins, Hazel

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1550375601 ISBN 13: 9781550375602

Publisher: Annick Press, 1999

Synopsis

Hazel Hutchins, the popular, award-winning author, has written a story about one man and one duck -- not a nature-conquering scenario, but a tale of human compassion and caring for the creatures with whom we share the earth. Hazel tells the story in a soft, rhythmic style, matched perfectly by Ruth Ohi's illustrations.

A farmer and father of four sets out to plow his field at dawn in early spring. On the ground, hidden perfectly in a down-lined hollow, a young duck has built her next and is sitting on her warm eggs. She calmly observes the tractor, far away at first and then louder, closer, threatening her nest. Will she abandon her nest to save her own life? Will the farmer see her in time?

This book models positive, caring behavior to preschool children: the idea that small actions taken at the right time can make a big difference. Respect shown to animals generates self-respect. As in every Hazel and Ruth cooperative project, the artwork perfectly reflects the feeling and mood of the tale.

About this title

About the Author

Hazel Hutchins is a master of compelling stories for young people. She has written more than twenty-five books for children and has won numerous awards, including the Mr. Christie's Book Award, the Silver Birch Award and inclusion in the White Raven Collection of the International Youth Library in Munich.

Ruth Ohi has illustrated many of Hazel Hutchins's picture books. Her joyous, sensitive, and humorous illustrations are familiar to families all over North America.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2-A duck nests in a field and goes about the business of hatching her eggs. A farmer, who doesn't know about her, decides it's time to turn the soil. As his tractor gets closer and closer to the hidden nest, the animal senses danger, but is determined to protect her eggs, and flies off only at the last possible moment. Seeing the duck, the farmer stops his tractor and moves the nest. The next day, the duck is seen leading her newly hatched ducklings to a pond. The story is written in a lyrical style that effectively sets the mood and tone. This is especially evident in the scene where the duck senses the approaching danger. The careful choice of words greatly enhances the dramatic effect. Because of its somewhat sophisticated vocabulary, the book is more suited to reading aloud than as a title for newly independent readers. Watercolor illustrations add to the overall mood. The duck never comes across as a fully developed character, but the tale's setting and emotional impact give it a great deal of depth, allowing readers to become involved in the action and excitement. Try pairing this with Robert McCloskey's Make Way for Ducklings (Viking, 1941) for a different, but equally satisfying look at the lives of wild ducks.
Arwen Marshall, New York Public Library
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Annick Press
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 1550375601
• ISBN 13: 9781550375602
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Ohi Ruth