Review by Booklist Review
Big Duck, her brother Little Duck, and their friend Porcupine go on a picnic, and when it starts to rain, Little Duck cheerily shows the others how to have fun anyway (hint: puddles). Then Big Duck tries to remember something important while ignoring all of Little Duck's nonverbal clues. When the friends decide to go camping, Big Duck's lengthy list of stuff to take ranges from necessities, such as sleeping bags and flashlights, to crazy things such as snow shovels, easy chairs, and more, but Little Duck knows what's really important. Each two-page spread works as a single comic book panel, with colorful, bold, thick-outlined shapes and easy-to-read large type on simple backgrounds. Yoon's choice to keep Little Duck mute a fantastic lesson in the humor in contrast sets up great opportunities for little ones to practice reading visual context clues. With much of the meaning in body language and actions rather than text, this is a wonderful introduction to the comic book format for early readers and prereaders, and an entertainingly silly trio of stories, to boot.--Kan, Kat Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Three friends-Big Duck, Little Duck, and Porcupine-star in a trio of stories that blend elements of picture books, chapter books, and comics. Told entirely through dialogue between Big Duck and Porcupine (Little Duck never speaks, though his beady eyes say plenty), two stories follow the friends' efforts to go picnicking and camping; rain disrupts the first outing, and Big Duck's 100-item packing list threatens the other. In the remaining story, Big Duck, who gets the most personality in these tales, attempts to remember something she has forgotten (Porcupine's birthday). Chunky, vividly colored digital cartoons create a sunny environment for the friends (even when the sun's not out), and the focused dialogue and lighthearted exchanges make each story approachable. Ages 5-7. Agent: Jamie Weiss Chilton, Andrea Brown Literary Agency. (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-This wonderfully engaging easy reader, starring the titular trio, is divided into three short chapters. The two duck siblings and their purple porcupine pal go on an all-weather picnic, celebrate Porcupine's birthday in style (well, eventually), and gather all of the things they need for a campout. The stories are told almost exclusively in dialogue, with the large-font, bold black type set in white speech bubbles. The simply drawn digital cartoon characters exude personality and charm and provide plenty of sight clues with the subtle change of expression. The backgrounds and accoutrements are so minimal as to appear as props on a stage, and the black framing of each spread feels like a proscenium. VERDICT This collection of small dramas is just right for fledgling readers and perfect for read-alouds and reader's theater productions. More Duck, Duck, Porcupine, please.-Luann Toth, School Library Journal © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
The creator of picture books such as the Penguin series (Penguin on Vacation, rev. 7/13; Penguin and Pinecone, et al.) turns her hand to easy readers. Three short chapters follow the adventures of three friends. Big Duck has lots of ideas but not too much sense; Porcupine follows her lead; and Little Duck is always one step ahead of them both. In the first chapter, Big Duck and Porcupine plan a picnic, but Little Duck, with an eye on the weather, has already eaten and is happily splashing in puddles while the other two are still dealing with soggy sandwiches and wet blankets. In the second chapter, Big Duck cannot remember what the big day is, despite all of Little Ducks hints; finally she remembers that its Porcupines birthday. The final chapter finds the three making plans for a camping trip. Big Duck has a list of one hundred necessary items to bring, including a snow shovel and a toaster. Meanwhile, Little Duck has already begun the fun with just one item: a bag of marshmallows, which hes started roasting over a campfire. Throughout, Little Duck never speaks, but frequent glances out into the audience humorously invite readers to commiserate with him. Bright colors, heavy outlines, and minimal backgrounds keep viewers attentions focused on the simple action and the interaction between the characters; all the dialogue, controlled but natural sounding, takes place in speech balloons unambiguously placed on the page. Fresh and funny; a welcome addition to the easy-reader shelf. martha v. parravano (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A simple chapter book/graphic novel to engage the youngest new readers. In three unrelated stories, Yoon introduces a clueless big white duck, a helpful little yellow duckling, and their purple porcupine friend. These three won't replace Frog and Toad, but they have some of the innocence of the beloved amphibians. Each story, conveyed almost entirely in dialogue bubbles and sound effects, uses fewer than 70 different words and stands alone, though there is some overlap in the word choices, allowing beginning readers to recognize words they had to sound out in earlier chapters. Yoon does not rely on the standard conventions of beginning readersthere are no rhyming words or word families that can be memorized, nor is there a word list. Instead, the visual clues help readers predict what is about to happen. Menacing clouds that only Little Duck seems to see portend the outcome of the perfect picnic; Little Duck works mightily to remind Big Duck of Porcupine's birthday. Occasionally, the visuals are confusingas when Little Duck is shown larger than Big Duck. Some of the humor seems to be addressed to adult readers, as when Porcupine asks if No. 99 on Big Duck's list of camping essentials is the kitchen sink. Although they don't have quite the sophistication of Elephant and Piggie, these three friends should find a place on the shelf with Yoon's earlier reading buddy, Penguin. (Graphic early reader. 5-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
