Two Dumb Ducks

September 20, 2010
Okay, Steve and Carl may be a little geeky, but if this is dumb, readers won't want to be smart. Steve can make awesome things out of tin cans ("Aluminum monster!" he shouts, while clanging around with cans on every appendage), and Carl is some kind of magician with socks ("Squishy and smelly!"). But that doesn't seem to matter to a bunch of bullying seagulls, who relentlessly tease the heroes, crying "Two dumb ducks! Two dumb ducks!" Self-esteem isn't a major problem for this pair ("Have you seen his amazing sock friends?" Steve asks readers as Carl holds up two lumpy creations), but the insults still sting. Steve and Carl try it all, from empathy ("Troubles at home?") to simply asking the gulls to stop, but nothing works—until they get an inadvertent assist from some very mucky mud. Eaton's (the Max and Pinky books) story may not be deemed suitable for an antibullying curriculum, but it is utterly genuine in both its humor and pain; Eaton's bold cartooning and deadpan, economic storytelling make every page a treat. Ages 5–8.

November 1, 2010

PreS-Gr 1-Two duck buddies dislike the local flock of seagulls who call them "dumb ducks." The pals know they are smart, but no matter what they say or try, the gulls continue their sassy talk. The ducks finally decide to launch a sneak attack at night on the bullying birds and cross the pond in search of them. Unable to find the sleeping seagulls, the pair doze off. When they awake, they are so covered in muck that the gulls flee, thinking they are monsters. The bright digitally colored graphite pencil artwork includes some spreads as well as panels. The simple lines and perspectives keep the focus on the fractious gulls and peaceful ducks. Although children may not find a personal solution to any bullying problems they might be experiencing, the innocent but persistent pair is fun to follow.-Marge Loch-Wouters, La Crosse Public Library, WI

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