MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS by Robert McCloskey

Bibliography: 

McCloskey, Robert. 1969. MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS. Ill. by Robert McCloskey. New York. NY: Scholastic, Inc.  ISBN 0590339494

Plot Summary: 

In this sweet story set in Boston, readers will follow a duck couple in search of a safe home for their growing family.  There seemed to be some type of danger everywhere they look.  Even after their babies arrived, the search for their perfect home continued.  With the help of kind humans, the family is reunited and their perfect home is found to raise their babies.   McCloskey does a wonderful job telling and illustrating a story that shows the love of a family and the community around it.     

Critical Analysis: 

Young children will find this book very calming and reassuring when it is read to them.  It is a classic tale of a family's love for one another.  Children will enjoy the illustrations showing the eight ducklings fearlessly following their mother anywhere she leads them, even crossing busy traffic streets filled with loud honking cars. 

Reviews:  

·        1942 Caldecott Metal

Connections:  Age Level:  3 and up

·        Book Talk:  Discuss Community Helpers – Police – that are seen in the book and when children might see them in their everyday lives; Discuss the job of a policeperson and how they are here to help us; Discuss “your” family and its members.

·        Create graphic organizers:  Create a Flow Chart showing the sequence of events seen in the book that leads the family to their final home on the island. 

·        Onomatopoeia:  Students can find and point out the many onomatopoeias found within this story, and then create their own similar statements using onomatopoeias.