Picture Book #15

Title:  Ducks Don't Wear Socks

Author:  John Nedwidek

Illustrator:  Lee White

Genre:  Children's Fantasy Fiction 

Subgenre:  Early Reader Animal Fantasy

Themes:  friendship, getting out of your shell, humor, playing dress-up

Primary and Secondary Characters: Emily, Duck, the people of the town

Awards:  Building Block Nominee 2009

Date of Publication:  2008

Publishing Company:  Penguin Group

Summary:

Emily was a serious little girl.  She hardly smiled and always stayed on task.  Duck, on the other hand, was silly and was far from being serious.  Emily would correct Duck when she'd see him and would tell him, "ducks don't wear socks!"  Duck would fire back and tell her why he was wearing them.  That would be the case for other situations - Emily would correct Duck, and Duck would give a reason as to why he was wearing it.  One day, Emily saw Duck wearing boots while working in a garden.  He had gotten into trouble because he wasn't supposed to be on the fields.  Emily couldn't help but smile and found Duck funny.  She also saw Duck wearing underwear while sailing a boat and Emily thought it was hilarious!  Emily had come up with an idea to do something funny too, and the next day she saw Duck, Duck was the one who was saying to Emily, "What are you wearing?"  Emily, in fact, was wearing a duck costume.  Duck liked that she had chosen a duck and together, they laughed (well, actually, Duck quacked!).

How it will be used in the classroom:
This would be a great book for students ages 4-6.  I think children would be able to appreciate the humor that Duck puts off.  It would be great for them to also think of something else that Duck could wear and draw a picture of him!