Review: Make Way for Ducklings

1.     BIBLIOGRAPHY

McCloskey, Robert. Make Way for Ducklings. New York: The Viking Press, 1941. ISBN 0-670-45149-5

2.     PLOT SUMMARY

Mr. and Mrs. Mallard were looking for a safe place to live and raise their little ducklings. No place seemed quite good enough to hatch ducklings, until they found a quiet island on Charles River, not too far from the Public Garden. After the ducklings hatch, Mrs. Mallard taught them to swim, dive , walk in a line and keep a safe distance from things on with wheels. When she's satisfied, she takes them on an adventure through the streets of Boston, past shops and onlookers, to make their way to the Public Garden where they will live.

3.     CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This sweet story is very relatable, to kids and adults alike. It walks readers through the journey of two ducks, Mr. and Mrs. Mallard, as they search for the perfect place to hatch and raise they precious ducklings in the city of Boston. With their safety in mind, Mrs. Mallard turns down the first few places and the couple continues their search, which leads them to a quiet, little island where she hatches her eggs. Once hatched, Mrs. Mallard teaches her little ducklings everything they need to survive, before heading on their adventures through the streets of Boston. Though the adventure was off to a bit of a rocky start, thanks to the help of the policeman the couple befriended, Michael, Mrs. Mallard and her ducklings make it safely to their forever home at the Public Garden.

Robert McCloskey's pencil illustrations and shading techniques allows readers to focus on the beautiful details of the characters and scenery in the book, making the story feel warm and inviting to readers. The expressions and body language of the characters complement the story beautifully as the reader turns each page in anticipation of what will happen to the Mallard family.

4.     REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

1942 CALDECOTT MEDAL

2009 Indies Choice Book Award for Picture Book Hall of Fame

TIME 100 Best Children's Book of All Time (#12)

From Children's Literature: “The quaint story of  the mallard family's search for the perfect place to hatch ducklings. ... For more than fifty years kids have been entertained by this warm and wonderful story.”

From Horn Book: “Robert McCloskey's unusual and stunning pictures have long been a delight for their fun as well as their spirit of place.”

From The New York Times: "one of the merriest picture books ever."

5.     CONNECTIONS

Gather other picture books on ducks to read such as:

•                      Tafuri, Nancy. Have you seen my duckling? ISBN 0688148999

•                      Anastas, Margaret. A Hug for You. ISBN 0439868661

Gather other Robert McCloskey books to read such as:

•                      Blueberries for Sal. ISBN 978-0140501698

•                      One Morning in Maine. ISBN 0140501746

•                      Time of Wonder. ISBN 0140502015

Use as a discussion peace on how to problem solve - what other solutions could students come up with for where to hatch the eggs? Or the safest way to make it to Mr. Mallard?

Use with a beginning of the year unit on family