Wednesday, February 21, 2018

I’m a Duck! by Eve Bunting & illustrated by Will Hillenbrand [Review & Giveaway USA/CANADA]

ISBN: 9780763680329
Hardcover $15.99
Ages 3-7 32 pages
Candlewick Press
My thoughts: Oh this book brings back so many memories of my own little "duckies" when I would take them to the university for swimming lessons. Fear! The unknown! The cold of being wet! The "pool noises" (a large indoor pool with lots of kiddies)! So much to overcome. So much need to build their individual confidence level so they could succeed.

I'm a Duck is such a joy to read. First of all my heart was drawn to the beautifully soft watercolors that took me into the world of this little fluffy duck who has such an anxious expression. Then the story is told in delightful rhyme that really "works." Sadly some children's rhyming books don't have good cadence and rhyme. This one does!

Now about this little ducky. First of all he rolls out of the nest and plops into the pond when he is only an egg. Well, mama duck rescues him but henceforth and seemingly forevermore he is imprinted with this disastrous beginning. (Well, it is a make-believe story, isn't it?)

Then he goes through the various attempts to get his ducky-swim-legs because, after all, he is a duck! But this is hard. He is fearful. He has no confidence that he won't sink underneath the water. What's a duck to do?

The story does end well with him swimming in line with his siblings and it teaches the little readers that they, too, can overcome their fears and they, too, can be confident that they can grow up to be what they were intended to be.

A well-done delightful story that I highly recommend.



About the book: One day, an egg rolled out of a nest and right into a deep pond. Now that egg is a little duck, and the water is still very scary. Jumping into the pond at all seems impossible, never mind swimming in a line with all his brothers. “You’re a duck, and ducks don’t sink,” Big Frog points out. Practicing in a puddle helps a little, while backrubs and snacks from his mother help a little more. Big Frog offers to hold his friend’s wing and dive in together, but our little duck knows that some challenges need to be faced alone. Even when they are very scary!

I cannot swim, and that is bad.
A landlocked duck is very sad.

Sometimes it takes a lot to get your webbed feet wet! An adorable picture book makes a splash with a satisfying story about conquering your fears.
GIVEAWAY ~ 2 Winners
Begins February 21
Ends March 13 @ 12:01 a.m. EST
Open to USA & CANADA addresses.
NO P.O. BOXES, PLEASE
a Rafflecopter giveaway DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Candlewick Press to facilitate this review. Opinions expressed are solely my own and are freely given.

16 comments:

  1. "Share how you help your little ones cope with fear or lack of confidence. If you don't currently have little ones, what DID you do or what WOULD you do?"

    People should be taught to just not think about themselves so much. If you have less ego, you'll be less fearful and less egotistical. Focus on others or tasks at hand.

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  2. Positive comments and compliments. Not when we are facing whatever they fear, but at other times to build up their self-confidence.

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  3. I talk to them and if they can face their fear, I am there physically holding their hand until they feel better about it.

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  4. I allow them to experience as many new situations (with supervision) as possible. Every time the master a new skill, learn new things, and occasionally pushed out of their comfort zone and adapt-- their confidence grows, and are not intimidated when encountering new challenges.

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  5. I would just be patient and reassure them. My son is startled by the littlest things.

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  6. I found something my 5 kids were good at and encouraged them when they expressed their feelings and tried a new experience. Talking beforehand helped lessen their fears as well as accompanying them to get them started helped a lot.

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  7. If there is something they are afraid of they need to face it head on and if that doesn't work let me know and I will help them.

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  8. To overcome fear, we try new things together. We tackle big new tasks in smaller and easier steps.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  9. One time my son nearly fell off a chair lift going skiing. He was 4 years old. I was sitting with him. I hung on to him via his coat and prayed and he made it safely to the top. He said he didn't want to go on that chair lift again until he was a grownup. I said no he was going to go on it with his dad who could help him. I didn't want him to leave there with fear but to triumph over fear which he did. He is now 37 and has had to conquer a lot of fear in life and handled it admirably. Rosanne

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  10. I reassure them and let them know that we are there for them always

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  11. I do activities with my son when he is scared so he feels safe, like getting in water.

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  12. I encourage my Grandson to always try something even if he fails at it at first, and I tell him that he will always
    Win if he trays his hardest.

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  13. I think it helps to talk about whatever they fear.

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  14. I would be really encouraging and hold their hand for support. sleveene at hotmail dot com

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  15. If my 2 little girls are scared or lack confidence, I try to encourage them and talk it through with them.

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