Duck

This is the story of a well-loved soft toy that goes missing. Duck needs the boy he lives with; can’t do a thing without him: ‘Duck thinks I’m the greatest. I’m Duck’s hero.’

So when the boy finds him gone, he worries that Duck won’t know what to do. Daily routines don’t hold any joy without Duck by his side and finally, the boy curls up sadly onto the couch, hugging the cushions for comfort. Then he smells a familiar smell and feels something soft and woolly… Duck of course! Having missed him so much, the boy comes to restate the dependence in a different way: ‘I think Duck’s the greatest. Duck’s my hero.’

The repetitive elements included in the narrative invite young readers to join in the telling. Soft pencil and wash illustrations on a white background with clearly laid out text make this a visually attractive title; the cuteness factor of the drawings also lends appeal.