Little Duck's Bicycle Ride

Little Duck encounters many obstacles on his bicycle ride

PreSchool-Grade 2-- The many similarities (plot progression, setting, visual clues, page layout, and minimal text) between this book and Hutchins's Rosie's Walk (Macmillan, 1968) make these good choices to use in tandem. Stott's simple pencil illustrations with bright watercolor washes fill the pages with humor and hints of the impending disasters facing Little Duck as he rides past a farm. He doesn't need a pursuing fox, though--his bike riding skills are his own enemy. In this sequel to Too Much (Dutton, 1990), it's a relief to have him finally fall off the bike and land safely in a pond. Children will enjoy the funny bold, illustrations; emerging readers will find success with the sparse text. --Gale W. Sherman, Pocatello Public Library, ID
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This sequel to Too Much presents more misadventures of Little Duck. On alternate spreads, the energetic fellow looks as though he's perfectly under control, but a turn of the page shows this isn't the case. Slow uphill pedaling is followed by a feather-raising downhill run; a leisurely ride through the cornfield ends in chaos; and a peaceful trip over a footbridge turns into a flight through the air when Little Duck tries to avoid hitting a turtle. Finally, the spunky duck abandons his bike and dives into the water--much safer terrain for a calamity-prone duckling. The book's minimal, large-print text makes this a good pick for beginning readers, who will enjoy filling in the blanks on Stott's wordless spreads.Chances are "Oh, no!" will be a common utterance as youngsters see Little Duck heading for yet another entertaining mishap. Ages 2-5.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.