Duck, Duck, Porcupine!

by Salina Yoon

Overview

Big Duck likes to boss around her younger brother, Little Duck, and she fancies herself the leader of their trio—when joined by their gentle friend Porcupine. Little Duck doesn't speak yet, but through his expressions and his actions, he shows that he has a better grasp on any situation than his older sister. Told entirely through dialogue and visual storytelling with subtle humor throughout, Little Duck ends up getting the trio out of whatever jam they are in.

Moving into an exciting new chapter book format, Salina Yoon's early readers are perfect for fans of bestselling series like Elephant & Piggie and Ballet Cat, giving all her picture book fans a fantastic next step for reading fun.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781619637238
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	05/17/2016
Series:	Duck, Duck, Porcupine Series
Pages:	64
Product dimensions:	6.60(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	AD390L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

Salina Yoon has written/illustrated more than 100 books for children. Her awards include the 2009 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal, Best Book Award, for both TOYS and ROCK & ROLL COLORS (Scholastic). OPPOSNAKES (S&S) was a 2009 finalist for the CBC's Children's Choice Book Awards for K-2nd Best Book of the Year.

Editorial Reviews

04/18/2016
Three friends—Big Duck, Little Duck, and Porcupine—star in a trio of stories that blend elements of picture books, chapter books, and comics. Told entirely through dialogue between Big Duck and Porcupine (Little Duck never speaks, though his beady eyes say plenty), two stories follow the friends’ efforts to go picnicking and camping; rain disrupts the first outing, and Big Duck’s 100-item packing list threatens the other. In the remaining story, Big Duck, who gets the most personality in these tales, attempts to remember something she has forgotten (Porcupine’s birthday). Chunky, vividly colored digital cartoons create a sunny environment for the friends (even when the sun’s not out), and the focused dialogue and lighthearted exchanges make each story approachable. Ages 5–7. Agent: Jamie Weiss Chilton, Andrea Brown Literary Agency. (May)

Publishers Weekly

Big Duck relishes being the older, wiser sister and Little Duck lets her think this is true. Their unlikely friend, Porcupine, accompanies them on their adventures. In the first of the three stories, Big Duck plans a picnic—oblivious to the big rain cloud in the sky. Little Duck notes the cloud and brings along an umbrella. Once the rain starts pouring, Little Duck abandons the umbrella and splashes in the newly formed puddles. Big Duck and Porcupine join him. Big Duck has a string tied around a portion of her wing in the second story, but she cannot remember what she is forgetting. Little Duck provides lots of clues and Porcupine is delighted that they remember his birthday. Big Duck has a list of 100 items to take on their camping trip in the third story. In the meantime, Little Duck builds a fire and starts roasting marshmallows, which is all they really need. Dialogue in this early reader is presented in speech bubbles and the story’s emphasis remains on the characters. They stand out against backgrounds with a few added props. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D.; Ages 4 to 7.

Children's Literature - Phyllis Kennemer

★ 08/01/2016
PreS-Gr 1—This wonderfully engaging easy reader, starring the titular trio, is divided into three short chapters. The two duck siblings and their purple porcupine pal go on an all-weather picnic, celebrate Porcupine's birthday in style (well, eventually), and gather all of the things they need for a campout. The stories are told almost exclusively in dialogue, with the large-font, bold black type set in white speech bubbles. The simply drawn digital cartoon characters exude personality and charm and provide plenty of sight clues with the subtle change of expression. The backgrounds and accoutrements are so minimal as to appear as props on a stage, and the black framing of each spread feels like a proscenium. VERDICT This collection of small dramas is just right for fledgling readers and perfect for read-alouds and reader's theater productions. More Duck, Duck, Porcupine, please.—Luann Toth, School Library Journal

School Library Journal

2016-01-20
A simple chapter book/graphic novel to engage the youngest new readers. In three unrelated stories, Yoon introduces a clueless big white duck, a helpful little yellow duckling, and their purple porcupine friend. These three won't replace Frog and Toad, but they have some of the innocence of the beloved amphibians. Each story, conveyed almost entirely in dialogue bubbles and sound effects, uses fewer than 70 different words and stands alone, though there is some overlap in the word choices, allowing beginning readers to recognize words they had to sound out in earlier chapters. Yoon does not rely on the standard conventions of beginning readers—there are no rhyming words or word families that can be memorized, nor is there a word list. Instead, the visual clues help readers predict what is about to happen. Menacing clouds that only Little Duck seems to see portend the outcome of the perfect picnic; Little Duck works mightily to remind Big Duck of Porcupine's birthday. Occasionally, the visuals are confusing—as when Little Duck is shown larger than Big Duck. Some of the humor seems to be addressed to adult readers, as when Porcupine asks if No. 99 on Big Duck's list of camping essentials is the kitchen sink. Although they don't have quite the sophistication of Elephant and Piggie, these three friends should find a place on the shelf with Yoon's earlier reading buddy, Penguin. (Graphic early reader. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews

"[A] wonderfully engaging easy reader. The simply drawn digital cartoon characters exude personality and charm. . . . This collection of small dramas is just right for fledgling readers and perfect for read-alouds and reader’s theater productions." - starred review, School Library Journal

"A simple chapter book/graphic novel to engage the youngest new readers . . . these three friends should find a place on the shelf with Yoon's earlier reading buddy, Penguin." - Kirkus Reviews

"Novice readers will find success here. . . . Yoon’s crisp, clean art has a coloring-book-like simplicity that will appeal to youngsters. . . . Kids (and the adults who work with them) can never have too many attractive, well-written beginning readers, and this trio of cuties is a welcome addition to the genre." - BCCB

"A wonderful introduction to the comic book format for early readers and prereaders, and an entertainingly silly trio of stories, to boot." - Booklist

"Bright colors, heavy outlines, and minimal backgrounds keep viewers' attentions focused on simple action and the interaction between the characters . . . Fresh and funny; a welcome addition to the easy-reader shelf" - The Horn Book Magazine

"A sweet, visually striking story of friendship and acceptance." - starred review, Booklist on BE A FRIEND

"Yoon’s cute, boldly lined characters and graphic compositions tell the story in a series of spots, full-page images, and thought bubbles. This picture book, like many before it, proves that love comes in many forms." - Booklist on PENGUIN AND PINECONE

"Crisp illustrations that capture a genuinely loving heart . . . a strong if whimsical choice for those separated from loved ones." - Kirkus Reviews on PENGUIN AND PINECONE

"Yoon's story of an unlikely interspecies friendship is both funny and sweet . . . let's hope that, as the Antarctic Ambassador of Friendship, Penguin, too, shall return in more adventures." - Horn Book on PENGUIN ON VACATION

"Readers will respond to this warm tale of finding love." - Kirkus Reviews on PENGUIN IN LOVE

"A thoughtful, flawlessly executed exploration of theory of mind and emotional intelligence." - starred review, Publishers Weekly on FOUND

From the Publisher