Definitely No Ducks

by Meg McKinlay, Leila Rudge (Illustrator)

Abby’s class duck – Max – is banned from the school when it seems he has destroyed the papier mâché Antarctica display the children have made for the most important assembly in the history of assemblies. Worse still, Abby’s beloved teacher Mrs Melvino plans to leave with him! Abby and her friend Noah race against time to prove that Max is not the culprit, culminating in the important assembly, where Max (coated in poster paint) plays a starring role as a penguin and his ongoing presence in the classroom is assured.

Genres: Childrens

112 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2013

About the author

Meg McKinlay is a children's writer and poet living in Fremantle, Western Australia.

She has published twenty-five books for young people, ranging from picture books through to young adult novels, and a collection of poetry for adults. Her work has won awards including the Prime Minister's Literary Award, the CBCA Picture Book of the Year Award, and the WA Premier's Book Award, among others.

A former academic, swimming teacher, Japanese interpreter and tour guide, Meg has accidentally lived her life in accordance with the song lyrics, "If you see a strange door to your left/then drop your things and run for it"*, which is how she found herself wrangling words for a living. Meg has no plans to drop writing, though, and is always cooking up more books.

* From 'Wildflowers', by Things of Stone and Wood

Reviews

[Sharlene Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this follow up to Duck For a Day and would love more duck shenanigans!

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstandingly beautiful story about over coming your fears to right (classroom) injustice and help out friends of the human and non human variety. It speaks to my inner child but also to the teacher and parent in me leaving me inspired by Mrs Melvino, the teacher character who is creative, unconventional and who stands by her convictions regarding teaching and duck raising!

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four and a half stars. This early chapter book is another tale about Max, the class duck that readers met in Duck for a Day. Mrs Melvino is the teacher of the class and Max spends class time in school with the children as the class pet. Max has duck sleepovers at weekends at the homes of next door neighbours, Abby and Noah.
Each class in the school has been given a class project about a continent. Mrs Melivino’s class has been working hard on their project for the special assembly. Their continent is Antarctica but what happens when Max ends up in trouble for destroying the display of Antarctica. Mr Oswald the principal is sure Max is to blame and has threatened that Max has to go. But is Max to blame? Abby and Noah don’t think so and are determined to prove that Max was not responsible for the damage.
Mrs Melvino is creative and thinks outside the box, the type of teacher every young child would like to have. With short chapters and fun black and white illustrations this is a light hearted story for those 7 years and up.
Duck for a Day was shortlisted for the CBCA awards. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised to see Definitely No Ducks! end up there too.

[Anna Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this story. It would be a great read for kids who are reluctant public speakers; they'd be able to make some connections with one of the main characters.