Duck Duck. by Edna Miller

by Edna Miller

Not knowing his mate was killed by a fox, a mallard drake raises his offspring and waits patiently through the winter for her return.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

Library Binding

First published November 1, 1971

About the author

Born in 1920 and grew up in NYC. Later lived in Vermont and Maryland.

"As a child I developed a great love of animals. At the zoo in Central Park, I made childish sketches of my favorite animals. The Museum of Natural History was my second home.......The idea for my first book, Mousekin's Golden House, came to me shortly after Halloween when I had put the family pumpkin outside. One evening I noticed a small, white-footed mouse exploring the jack-o'-lantern for the few seeds it contained. I thought what a fine house it would make for a white-footed mouse who forever discards one home and searches for another."

"Edna Miller grew up in New York City near The American Museum of Natural History where the animal exhibits always interested her. During her travels in this country and abroad, Mrs. Miller has observed the behavior and habits of animal life. After completing Mousekin's Christmas Eve, Mrs. Miller felt there was only one reward she could give the live mouse she was using as her model. He had been well fed and exercised, but a wire cage was no place for a healthy mouse. She 'carried the cage to the woods and opened the door-- to freedom.'" --from the dustjacket of Mousekins's Christmas Eve.

Reviews

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of a male mallard duck through 1 year, from spring to spring. Poor Duck Duck has a mate and 10 eggs in a nest, and a fox eats his mate and 8 of the eggs.... 2 eggs escape the attention of the fox, hatch, and Duck Duck raises them to adulthood himself. The children he has raised leave home, and Duck Duck misses his mate. So sad, but Duck Duck thankfully has a happy ending.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edna Miller's books and illustrations are enjoyable for myself and my children because they are softly realistic. This book has a sad patch, but in the end is renewed with hope. I am glad to own my own copy.

[Lisa Sellers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this story part of my weekly reader collection.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although it's in story form, this book shows the life of a duck in the wild. Be prepared though. If you have children that lost it at the beginning of Finding Nemo, you may want tissue ready for your reading time! Sad, but with a sweet ending, and gets a little nature in too!

Ages: 4 - 8

**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!

So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! You’ll see my updates as I’m reading and know which books I’m liking and what I’m not finishing and why. You’ll also be able to utilize my library for looking up titles to see whether the book you’re thinking about reading next has any objectionable content or not. From swear words, to romance, to bad attitudes (in children’s books), I cover it all!

[Justin Castillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jonathan Livingston Seagull for young nature lovers.

[Sara Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

A childhood and adult favorite!