Definitely No Ducks (Meg McKinlay, illus by Leila Rudge, Walker Books)

Mrs Melvino’s class is doing Antarctica for their special end-of-term assembly. As well as talking about it, they have built a spectacular papier mâché display. Unfortunately, the whole performance is in jeopardy after their class duck, Max, runs wild in the classroom, and apparently destroys their display. Abby and Noah, Max’s weekend carers, don’t really believe that Max is capable of such destruction, and set out to prove his innocence. This is more than a story about saving a duck (and a brilliant teacher) from banishment. It is also about friendship and sharing, loyalty and understanding. When Abby realises the truth of the situation she shows great empathy with a classmate whose pet is the real culprit. Happily, she never has to reveal the truth as circumstances reach a very amusing climax and the situation is saved. Leila Rudge’s illustrations suit the book perfectly; although this is a realistic story, and her pictures are not, the characters with their spaghetti limbs and mainly mouthless faces are extremely expressive and warm, and her drawings of the duck are really charming. This is a great book for newly independent readers.

Louise Pfanner is an author and illustrator, and works part-time in a bookshop

Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

Category: Reviews