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Goodnight, My Duckling
Award-winning author/illustrator Nancy Tafuri presents a charming bedtime companion to her classic Caldecott Honor winner HAVE YOU SEEN MY DUCKLING?.
The sun is setting and it's time for Mama to lead her youngsters home. One dawdling duckling falls behind, drawn to the pond creatures who call, "Goodnight, Little Duckling!" as he paddles by. Soon, Mama and the other ducklings are all out of sight, but there's no need for alarm. One special turtle is waiting to carry the little duckling back to Mama's nest.
In this fresh companion to her classic Caldecott Honor winner HAVE YOU SEEN MY DUCKLING?, Nancy Tafuri's beautifully detailed watercolors and spare text once again capture the tender feelings and joyful wonder of childhood.
The sun is setting and it's time for Mama to lead her youngsters home. One dawdling duckling falls behind, drawn to the pond creatures who call, "Goodnight, Little Duckling!" as he paddles by. Soon, Mama and the other ducklings are all out of sight, but there's no need for alarm. One special turtle is waiting to carry the little duckling back to Mama's nest.
In this fresh companion to her classic Caldecott Honor winner HAVE YOU SEEN MY DUCKLING?, Nancy Tafuri's beautifully detailed watercolors and spare text once again capture the tender feelings and joyful wonder of childhood.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2005
About the author
Nancy Tafuri
67 books57 followersNancy Tafuri is probably best known as the creator of Have You Seen My Duckling?, a 1985 Caldecott Honor Book described by Parent’s Choice as “beautifully precise yet emotionally affecting.” Trained as a graphic designer, Tafuri has authored more than 45 books over 30 years for the very young.
When Tafuri first attempted picture book illustration in the late 1970’s picture books were aimed at five-, six-, and seven-year-olds. Tafuri’s images were considered “too graphic” for children that age. “The pictures are too big,” she was told over and over about the large, colorful shapes she drew. Finally, Tafuri’s talent was recognized and tapped at Greenwillow Books, Harper Collins Publishers.
Since then she has had the opportunity to work with Scholastic Press, Scholastic Inc., Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division and most recently Little, Brown Books For Young Readers, Little, Brown and Company.
Tafuri was born in Brooklyn, New York. For the first ten years of her life she was an only child and says that this helped her to learn to entertain herself with stories and art.
Tafuri entered the School of Visual Arts in New York City in 1964. Her first job was as an assistant art director for the publishing firm Simon & Schuster. She left two years later and married Thomas Tafuri, a fellow student at the School of Visual Arts.
The Tafuri’s opened their own graphic design studio, in 1971. Their primary product was dust jackets for hardcover books. They opened their business in New York City, but eventually moved their studio and home to Connecticut.
At this time, Nancy was able to devote all of her time to writing and illustration.
When Tafuri finally found herself illustrating children’s books, either her own or other authors’, she felt she had found her life’s calling and a strong sense of joy from creating them. She loves to take a small portion of the text and create a visual representation that children can grasp and remember. In 1989, when Cristina was born, Nancy began to feel even more strongly motivated to illustrate for children. Her work seemed even more important and more personal.
“I feel honored to be creating literature for young children. Seeing how very important the early years are in a person’s life, I can only hope that my books can contribute in some small way to that growth, with the feelings that I hope I project within those pages, through line, color, shape, and story.”
When Tafuri first attempted picture book illustration in the late 1970’s picture books were aimed at five-, six-, and seven-year-olds. Tafuri’s images were considered “too graphic” for children that age. “The pictures are too big,” she was told over and over about the large, colorful shapes she drew. Finally, Tafuri’s talent was recognized and tapped at Greenwillow Books, Harper Collins Publishers.
Since then she has had the opportunity to work with Scholastic Press, Scholastic Inc., Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division and most recently Little, Brown Books For Young Readers, Little, Brown and Company.
Tafuri was born in Brooklyn, New York. For the first ten years of her life she was an only child and says that this helped her to learn to entertain herself with stories and art.
Tafuri entered the School of Visual Arts in New York City in 1964. Her first job was as an assistant art director for the publishing firm Simon & Schuster. She left two years later and married Thomas Tafuri, a fellow student at the School of Visual Arts.
The Tafuri’s opened their own graphic design studio, in 1971. Their primary product was dust jackets for hardcover books. They opened their business in New York City, but eventually moved their studio and home to Connecticut.
At this time, Nancy was able to devote all of her time to writing and illustration.
When Tafuri finally found herself illustrating children’s books, either her own or other authors’, she felt she had found her life’s calling and a strong sense of joy from creating them. She loves to take a small portion of the text and create a visual representation that children can grasp and remember. In 1989, when Cristina was born, Nancy began to feel even more strongly motivated to illustrate for children. Her work seemed even more important and more personal.
“I feel honored to be creating literature for young children. Seeing how very important the early years are in a person’s life, I can only hope that my books can contribute in some small way to that growth, with the feelings that I hope I project within those pages, through line, color, shape, and story.”
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 6, 2013
Once of the first books I bought for my son, before he was even born, was Nancy Tafuri's I Love You, Little One. I started reading it to him when he was only a few weeks old, and now that he is almost four-and-a-half, we still read it. I picked up I Love You, Little One because of the wonderful cover art. I picked up Goodnight, my Duckling for the same reason.
The text in Goodnight, My Duckling is simple enough for my son to read on his own, and it is charming enough that he wants to read it. Those two qualities made this book perfect for young beginning readers.
Nancy Tafuri's illustrative style is a wonder. She renders her artwork so accurately that it is even very young children have no trouble recognizing the animal (or plant or object) she has drawn, but in a way that is infused with such sweetness and loveliness.
The text in Goodnight, My Duckling is simple enough for my son to read on his own, and it is charming enough that he wants to read it. Those two qualities made this book perfect for young beginning readers.
Nancy Tafuri's illustrative style is a wonder. She renders her artwork so accurately that it is even very young children have no trouble recognizing the animal (or plant or object) she has drawn, but in a way that is infused with such sweetness and loveliness.
October 28, 2016
A classic story by writer/illustrator Nancy Tafuri about a mamma duck and her ducklings preparing for bedtime.
March 8, 2015
Our most recent obsession. We checked this book out from the library a couple of weeks ago and basically have it memorized now. A mommy duck and her ducklings are going home at night to go to sleep. One little duckling starts to fall behind because he/she is looking around and checking things out. Eventually, the little duckling is lost and sad. A nice turtle (that is lurking behind the entire time - a little stalkerish) offers to help and takes the baby duckling to his/her mom. At the end all of the ducklings are cuddled up sleeping happily with their mommy duck.
Matthew loves it because of the cuddling at the end of the story. We have to cuddle when we read it and at the end he always turns to me and says "You're a duckling mommy" and "we are cuddling in a nest." It has started to creep into the rest of the day as well. We were at a doctor's appointment last week and he was not happy being there so he turned to me and said "cuddle like a duckling mommy." Well, who is going to say no to that!!
I am more than happy to keep reading the book to him and be a duckling so that I can get some more cuddles in :)
Matthew loves it because of the cuddling at the end of the story. We have to cuddle when we read it and at the end he always turns to me and says "You're a duckling mommy" and "we are cuddling in a nest." It has started to creep into the rest of the day as well. We were at a doctor's appointment last week and he was not happy being there so he turned to me and said "cuddle like a duckling mommy." Well, who is going to say no to that!!
I am more than happy to keep reading the book to him and be a duckling so that I can get some more cuddles in :)
December 29, 2010
A mother duck announces it is time for bed, and one little duckling wonders off across the pond. All of the pond animals say good night to the wandering duckling. Finally, turtle asks the duckling if it is lost, and takes the duckling home to its family. Once the lost duckling is home safe, the whole duckling family falls asleep for the evening.
The beautiful illustrations are done in great detail. The illustrations are done with watercolor. The ducklings and other animals have very sweet friendly looks about them. Children will enjoy the pleasing illustrations.
This book is best suited for reading to an individual child before bedtime. The words and phrases are short and sweet. This story will sooth the child to sleep.
The beautiful illustrations are done in great detail. The illustrations are done with watercolor. The ducklings and other animals have very sweet friendly looks about them. Children will enjoy the pleasing illustrations.
This book is best suited for reading to an individual child before bedtime. The words and phrases are short and sweet. This story will sooth the child to sleep.
June 27, 2011
This was a play group story today. I didn't hear or see all of it because Natalie decided to get up and go back to playing, but I liked what I did see and hear. It appears to be a traditional good night book as the ducklings head home to their mother and are said good night to by various animals in different ways. The illustrations are mostly realistic and have lots of fine details.
Heard the rest of the story today at play group. I liked the variation this book takes near the end. The duckling slowly gets left behind as it sees the other animals, and then a turtle helps it back home.
Heard the rest of the story today at play group. I liked the variation this book takes near the end. The duckling slowly gets left behind as it sees the other animals, and then a turtle helps it back home.
December 20, 2009
A gift for H. from sarah, this has become one of The Boy's favorite bedtime stories. And I can see why. It's straightforward, has the right amount of suspense, and a quick resolution with a clear hero. Literarily astute parents will also notice the obvious Chekhov's gun in our hero, The Turtle.
A clear winner.
A clear winner.
October 31, 2013
This book was super short, but it would be good to read to a very young child. The pictures are large and colorful, and there are many animals introduced in the pictures, which could spark lots of dialogic reading. One little duckling gets lost, but luckily there are lots of friends around to help guide the way home.
October 27, 2016
A duckling takes his time following his family when it's time for bed, and soon he might need some help catching up.
This is another simple and sweet story about keeping up and staying safe (and again involving a duckling!). It has soothing illustrations more on the side of realism and makes you wonder how many times one book can repeat the word "duckling".
This is another simple and sweet story about keeping up and staying safe (and again involving a duckling!). It has soothing illustrations more on the side of realism and makes you wonder how many times one book can repeat the word "duckling".
August 30, 2016
A sweet and simple story about a duckling swimming home for the night. A number of animals say good night along the way. Tafuri's illustrations are perfect, as always. Well suited to toddler times.
April 4, 2013
This is a simple book for younger children to read and comprehend. It tells a short story of a duckling that cannot find its way home for bed. It gets the help of friends and sets a good moral for young readers.
October 23, 2014
You can just about share this book using the illustrations only-they are fantastic, beautifully done and there is much to look at without be crowded or overwhelming. It's nature shown at its best.
The text has short simple sentences.
The text has short simple sentences.
April 15, 2018
I’m sorting through my picture books to make more room and found this one. The simple story is soothing and perfect for bedtime, and although I personally find the illustrations a little bland, there is absolutely nothing wrong with them.
February 2, 2017
I read this 4-5 times a day. Boston just walks aorund with it saying "duckckckck"
Read
June 2, 2009Wonderful story. My two year old was so worried, then relieved as the story happily ended.
May 18, 2010
The illustrations are even more vibrant and beautiful in this book.
March 2, 2011
Literacy skills:
Print motivation-this calming bedtime story is a favorite for children.
Print motivation-this calming bedtime story is a favorite for children.
May 21, 2011
Adorable option for bedtime storytime for toddlers...little text, bold and bright illustrations with a gentle flow.
September 18, 2013
Sarah loved this one and giggled every time she saw the ducky riding the helpful turtle.
June 7, 2017
I absolutely loved reading this book to Carter before bedtime tonight! He loved it too! :)
December 2, 2018
I didn't know that there was a second book similar to the original classic. As a result my sister allowed me to read a copy as much as you can read picture books.
I do love the first one while this can either be an extension of it or a follow-up, which is why I am a bit disappointed with it. I don't like books or anything that somewhat piggyback on others to get success and although formulas are nice they get tiresome after a while to follow behind.
As a result this book does mostly contain the same characters from the first book along with a few new faces. As such some of the characters may seem off but they have some general type of history when the books are combined. Strangely enough the grebe mother and her family do seem a bit different than their last appearance, which was a disappointment as they were my faves.
The same lack of words can be found in this one and the ones included are the ones repeated throughout. As a result the reader is actually invited into the pond with two-page scenes that require the reader to look further into the story as more is being told than what can be seen in the forefront.
Otherwise it is a nice and sweet bedtime story that will invite older and younger readers to enjoy their bedtime rituals together or to make some if there are none existing at this time.
I do love the first one while this can either be an extension of it or a follow-up, which is why I am a bit disappointed with it. I don't like books or anything that somewhat piggyback on others to get success and although formulas are nice they get tiresome after a while to follow behind.
As a result this book does mostly contain the same characters from the first book along with a few new faces. As such some of the characters may seem off but they have some general type of history when the books are combined. Strangely enough the grebe mother and her family do seem a bit different than their last appearance, which was a disappointment as they were my faves.
The same lack of words can be found in this one and the ones included are the ones repeated throughout. As a result the reader is actually invited into the pond with two-page scenes that require the reader to look further into the story as more is being told than what can be seen in the forefront.
Otherwise it is a nice and sweet bedtime story that will invite older and younger readers to enjoy their bedtime rituals together or to make some if there are none existing at this time.
March 16, 2025
Tafuri illustrates animals so well and not only is it the ducklings here but other pond inhabitants here which many children are unable to encounter. From the begging the curious little ducking’s attention is on his fellow pond dwellers, the dragonfly, the green heron, the beaver, and one of the best illustrations I have seen from Tafuri the double page spread of pond life above and below water featuring a frog, a fish and an underwater snail. And this very sparse text is just about bedtime, but there is so much for little eyes to see here.
June 7, 2021
Genre: Children's fiction Grade: PreK-K
This was a sweet short story showing a mother's love for her ducklings. It would just be a good short read for young kids.
This was a sweet short story showing a mother's love for her ducklings. It would just be a good short read for young kids.
October 4, 2023
Short and sweet bedtime story for babies and toddlers
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August 9, 2023Turn/Level: 2/1.5
Bedtime, Ducks
Only a few words per page with great Storytime illustrations, this features a little duckling getting a little lost on his way to bed. Animals common to woodland ponds featured.
Bedtime, Ducks
Only a few words per page with great Storytime illustrations, this features a little duckling getting a little lost on his way to bed. Animals common to woodland ponds featured.
January 11, 2016
Not much to this book. Very few words.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews