Ducks Go Vroom

February 1, 2011

PreS-Gr 1-This level-one reader uses rhyming words to enhance phonemic awareness. It does so with a simple story about all the things that ducks can do ("Ducks slurp/Ducks burp"). The spare text allows for little narration, but picture clues divulge that a duck family is off to visit a loving goose relative, and the day includes activities familiar to young children. The animals embrace, eat lunch, and spend a messy afternoon baking, followed by cleanup and a fond farewell. Concentrated colored backgrounds add to the visual appeal of the pages, which have either black or white text and bright cartoon illustrations. The fact that the ducks use a remote control to operate their TV and talk on a cell phone adds a contemporary touch to this otherwise timeless story. A solid choice for libraries needing entry-level readers.-Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2010
Preschool-K With large type and bright pictures that reinforce the story, this easy reader follows a family of ducks who vroom to a relatives house. The sounds of the words are a big part of the fun (Ducks slurp. / Ducks burp!), and so is the messy slapstick action as the ducks ring the bell (Ding-dong! / Bing-bong!); bake delicious treats (Grab and eat, / hot and sweet); make a total mess; and, finally, scrub and sweep before sleep. The repetition never becomes overbearing; in fact, the recurring physical details of cooking, eating, and clearing up are right on target for first readers. With a rhythmic beat and noisy, playful words that sound like what they mean, this Step into Reading title could be a cheerful, energetic read-aloud for young preschoolers, as well as readers on the verge of independence.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)