DUCK GOES MEOW

Children who are loved know exactly where they belong.

“Joy abounds” when Cow lets out a raucous moo, then encourages the other animals to sing. They comply with equal enthusiasm—the animals’ signature sounds are presented throughout in speech balloons with large capitals and exclamation points—but are confounded when Duck utters a smallish “meow,” rendered in lower-case letters. The animals urge their tiny feathered pal to “try again.” Unperturbed Duck’s having none of it,  despite the other animals’ persistent efforts to remind their friend that mewing is the sound that cats, not ducks, make. Finally, Yak explains that Duck should be quacking, but Duck protests: “I don’t say ‘Quack.’” Just then, Duck calls out “Mama!” to an initially unseen animal. A cat appears, calling for her kittens. Can you guess who joins her and the other kittens—and why Duck proudly, happily says “meow”? This winning New Zealand import is told in rollicking verse that scans beautifully and will have listeners echoing the animal sounds with gusto from start to finish. The animal characters burst from the pages with lively, cheeky personalities, and endearing Duck’s qualities come through in the adorable, thick-lined illustrations. The conclusion is satisfying, and the book's theme of inclusion makes it a lovely selection to bring to the attention of adoptive families.

This duck can say whatever it wants. We say “Hooray!” for this book’s purr-fectly delightful ending.