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| Artwork by Robert McCloskey.
Image from www.goodreads.com |
Make Way for Ducklings
by Robert McCloskey
by Robert McCloskey
BIBLIOGRAPHY
McCloskey, Robert. 1941. MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS. Ill. by the author. New York:
The Viking Press. ISBN 0670451495
PLOT SUMMARY
Robert McCloskey’s children’s classic, Make Way for Ducklings, is the story of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard and their quest to find just the right place to raise a family. Set in the city of Boston, the story begins with the two ducks flying over the city, and landing in the pond at Boston Public Garden for a short rest. Although they both think the park is a nice place to settle down, Mrs. Mallard soon realizes it is a bit too dangerous for just-hatched ducklings. After continuing their search over some of Boston’s landmarks, they again find a nice spot on a small island on the Charles River. Here, Mr. and Mrs. Mallard welcome thier eight ducklings-- Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack. After they hatch, Mr. Mallard decides to go exploring while Mrs. Mallard stays behind with her new babies. They make plans to meet back at Boston Public Garden in a week. Mrs. Mallard wastes no time and begins teaching her ducklings how to swim, dive, walk in a line, come to her when they are called, and keep away from anything with wheels. When she feels they are ready, she leads them across the river, down the streets of Boston, on their way to meet Mr. Mallard at the pond. How will they cross the busy streets? Will they make it to the Public Garden? And, who will they meet along the way?
Robert McCloskey’s children’s classic, Make Way for Ducklings, is the story of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard and their quest to find just the right place to raise a family. Set in the city of Boston, the story begins with the two ducks flying over the city, and landing in the pond at Boston Public Garden for a short rest. Although they both think the park is a nice place to settle down, Mrs. Mallard soon realizes it is a bit too dangerous for just-hatched ducklings. After continuing their search over some of Boston’s landmarks, they again find a nice spot on a small island on the Charles River. Here, Mr. and Mrs. Mallard welcome thier eight ducklings-- Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack. After they hatch, Mr. Mallard decides to go exploring while Mrs. Mallard stays behind with her new babies. They make plans to meet back at Boston Public Garden in a week. Mrs. Mallard wastes no time and begins teaching her ducklings how to swim, dive, walk in a line, come to her when they are called, and keep away from anything with wheels. When she feels they are ready, she leads them across the river, down the streets of Boston, on their way to meet Mr. Mallard at the pond. How will they cross the busy streets? Will they make it to the Public Garden? And, who will they meet along the way?
CRITICAL
ANALYSIS
Although Make Way for Ducklings is now over 70
years old, its simple storyline and amazing illustrations have made it a timeless favorite. The main characters, Mr. and Mrs. Mallard, are typical parents who
only want the best for their family. From finding the right place to lay their eggs,
to teaching the ducklings what they need to know before going into the big
city, to protecting them along the way until they reach a safe place to live, these
parents are relatable to any young reader. The dialogue between Mr. and Mrs.
Mallard suggests that this pair cares about the well being of their brood, and
is planning for their future. The simple, yet descriptive text moves the story
along as we accompany the Mallards on this adventure through a busy city.
McCloskey’s
meticulous illustrations help place the reader in the heart of Boston.
Additionally, his detailed drawings of landmarks, old automobiles and people’s
clothing take the reader back in time. Each brown pencil drawing over cream-colored
two-page spread transports the reader into the book by detailing the “fluff” of
the ducklings’ feathers, the “gentleness” of the pond, and the “speed” of the
passing wheels, making for a very pleasant reading experience.
Make Way for
Ducklings is recommended for children ages 3 – 8, and is also available in
Spanish.
REVIEW
EXCERPTS and AWARDS
“…an enchanting and very original book.” (Kirkus Starred Review, Aug. 1941)
“…an enchanting and very original book.” (Kirkus Starred Review, Aug. 1941)
Caldecott Medal (1941)
Indies Choice Book Award for Picture Book Hall of
Fame (2009)
No. 6 in School Library Journal’s
Top 100 Picture Books (July 2012)
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“Make Way for Ducklings” Boston Public Garden, Boston, MA
Sculpture by Nancy Schon, image from www.schon.com
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CONNECTIONS
Use this book in a lesson for young children on the letter D – Ducks, ducklings
Use this book in a lesson for young children on the letter D – Ducks, ducklings
Pair this
book with other stories like Aesop’s The
Town Mouse and the Country Mouse, and Click,
Clack, Moo by Doreen Cronin for a lesson on living in large cities versus
rural areas.
Other books
for children about baby animals and their parents
--Is Your Mama a Llama? by Deborah Guarino
--Little White Rabbit by Kevin Henke
--Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
--I Love you, Little One by Nancy Tafuri
--Is Your Mama a Llama? by Deborah Guarino
--Little White Rabbit by Kevin Henke
--Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
--I Love you, Little One by Nancy Tafuri
Other books
for children about ducks
--The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen
--Giggle, Giggle, Quack by Doreen Cronin
--The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen
--Giggle, Giggle, Quack by Doreen Cronin
--Come Along, Daisy! by Jane Simmons
--Little Quack by Lauren Thompson
--Little Quack by Lauren Thompson
Watch the
Make Way for Ducklings video
(New Hamshire Public Television, Caldecott Literature Series)
(New Hamshire Public Television, Caldecott Literature Series)
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