It's Quacking Time!

Waddell has been awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Award for his lifetime’s work, having made an important and lasting contribution to children’s literature. This book demonstrates his empathy with family life in this story about the welcome and acceptance of a new sibling. The duck family, Mummy, Daddy and Duckling, explore the eggness of Mummy’s new, blue egg. Barton’s beautifully gentle illustrations, in soft pastel colours, evoke the expectancy and love surrounding the care of this newly laid egg. Duckling is intrigued by the idea that he himself came from an egg, and airs this newly acquired knowledge with Auntie Duck, Granda and Cousin Small. Excitement grows as the whole family share information regarding the egg as it moves, and the adult ducks, quacking loudly, knowingly claim, ‘It won’t be long now.’ However, nothing does happen, until Duckling plays a part. As ever, Waddell’s choice of words is inspired, and the newly hatched duckling is surrounded with love and security within the family. Perfect for reading again and again with the very young, particularly when a new baby is expected.