MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS

By Robert McClosky

The Viking Press, New York

Copyright 1941

This is a wonderful book to read to someone who would like to sit in your lap and hear a story before bed. I loved reading this book to my own children and the copy I still own was a gift from my grandmother.

In this story Mr. and Mrs. Mallard are looking for a place to raise their family. They finally find an island in the Charles River that Mrs. Mallard thinks will be safe enough for her ducklings, and out hatch Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack and Quack. Mrs. Mallard knows all about bringing up children, and not only teaches them to swim and dive, but also to come when they are called and stay a safe distance from bikes and scooters. But when the family decides to walk through the busy streets of Boston to a new home at the Public Garden many other people need to help them, including some friendly policemen.

This is a reassuring story about how young children learn to walk out into the world while loving adults watch over them. The charming black and white drawings show the ducklings’ joy in growing up, the parents’ pride in their children, and the enjoyment the human bystanders find in protecting this little family. I hope that you enjoy this book with someone special in your lap.

Catherine Vigran M.D.

posted 9/30/04