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The Quacken
Fans of The Bad Seed and Creepy Carrots will flock to this hilarious, lightly spooky picture book about a boy who unwittingly unleashes a ferociously fuzzy beast on his campground!
Lurking in the lake at Cucumonga Campground is a fearsome and frightening creature. Legend says that it swallows kids, canoes, and even whales whole . But all Hector sees are cute, cuddly, quacking ducks. Until he breaks the campground’s most important rule—Don’t Feed the Ducks—and releases… the Quacken .
Lurking in the lake at Cucumonga Campground is a fearsome and frightening creature. Legend says that it swallows kids, canoes, and even whales whole . But all Hector sees are cute, cuddly, quacking ducks. Until he breaks the campground’s most important rule—Don’t Feed the Ducks—and releases… the Quacken .
40 pages, Hardcover
First published July 16, 2024
293 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
June 9, 2024
The girls thought this one was laugh out loud funny!
May 21, 2025
2025 Update: Read this to a third grade class today and the book did indeed have them "quacken" up. Their top 3 favourite illustrations--the duck watching Hector through the night vision goggles, the duck holding a tiny phone outside the house, and the duck dressed like a park ranger.
Whenever the "Quacken" quacked, I got the kids to do a "On the count of three, gimme the biggest, scariest quack you've got!" and they enjoyed that.
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Original Review: This over the top picture book will have kids "quacken" up. The giant duck shadow looming over the car, the unconvincing disguises, the night vision goggles--inspired silliness.
I don't love the feel of the computer drawn stuff, but the Quacken himself is impeck-ably well drawn.
Whenever the "Quacken" quacked, I got the kids to do a "On the count of three, gimme the biggest, scariest quack you've got!" and they enjoyed that.
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Original Review: This over the top picture book will have kids "quacken" up. The giant duck shadow looming over the car, the unconvincing disguises, the night vision goggles--inspired silliness.
I don't love the feel of the computer drawn stuff, but the Quacken himself is impeck-ably well drawn.
Read
July 8, 2024This book is spooky good fun that will give children plenty to quack about. When Hector sets out for Camp Cucumonga he follows his gut instead of the rules, especially the one about Don't Feed the Ducks. What ensues is a wonderful kid-friendly take on the horror genre filled with fun tropes and visual puns, that make this book a hit with adults and children alike. An instant classic, The Quacken is sure to be a repeat read in homes and classrooms.
July 22, 2024
Justin Colón builds suspense at every turn! The Quacken is packed full of alliteration, onomatopoeia, word choice, and educational layers - following rules, and what could happen if rules are broken, and conquering fears. The Quacken nods to fairy tales and goes beyond! Truly an immersive experience. Readers are participants with the main character, Hector, and will feel the full weight of his decisions. Immersive and detailed illustrations by Pablo Pino. Readers will examine pictures spotting clues to who could possibly be behind this!
The Quacken has educational layers too for a poetic tools unit, alliteration, word choice, onomatopoeia, as well as first day of school rules, before going on field trips, prior to going to the zoo. And on character education - how our decisions can impact others.
The Quacken has educational layers too for a poetic tools unit, alliteration, word choice, onomatopoeia, as well as first day of school rules, before going on field trips, prior to going to the zoo. And on character education - how our decisions can impact others.
April 19, 2025
Reading age
3 - 8 years
Sunshine State Reader Jr. List https://www.floridamediaed.org/ssyra....
3 - 8 years
Sunshine State Reader Jr. List https://www.floridamediaed.org/ssyra....
July 23, 2024
What a fun book to read aloud! My 3 year old asked to re-read this hilarious book several times. The suspense makes this a page turner and the illustrations perfectly compliment the spooky and funny elements throughout the story. This is a modern classic!
July 18, 2024
It was a perfect fun summer read. My children absolutely LOVED this book. My daughter was enthralled from the opening line. She kept repeating, "something strange is happening at Cucamonga campground." My son loved the "barf" part as he particularly found this hilarious. It has been a repeat read before bed. The illustrations were done vibrant and energetic. If you are a parent of small children, I 10/10 recommend this book.
October 18, 2024
Really good for Halloween!
Kids (3rd graders) will love this book so much! It’s funny, great new words for them and the QUACK! it is hilarious and spooky!
Kids (3rd graders) will love this book so much! It’s funny, great new words for them and the QUACK! it is hilarious and spooky!
February 10, 2025
Very funny "horror" story!
July 17, 2024
Eerie and awesome with escalating terror...you've been warned. Do. Not. Feed. The. Ducks. Or ELSE! A perfect campfire story (outdoors or in) with chills, but not too scary, and giggles galore that will delight readers of every age!
October 2, 2024
Super funny and a great little story!!! The pictures are amazing!!! This is a much read Children's book.
January 16, 2026
1/15/2026 - A great mix of scary and silly!
June 27, 2024
My son and I loved this story! The illustrations were fun and bright. According to a campground legend, a duck lives beneath the lake that eats all kinds of things, including canoes. Hector loves the cute ducks and can’t resist breaking the rule of not feeding them. He soon comes to regret it when his actions release the ferocious Quacken!
August 16, 2024
This story is the "dun-dun-dun" variety of scary stories. Just silly enough to not be real, but slightly scary enough for young listeners. This is a camp spooky story, but it could be enjoyed during the spooky season. This could be pared well with Aaron Reynolds' style books.
I could also see this done as a vintage cartoon - Donald Duck or Disney's bears era.
Reviewed from a library copy.
I could also see this done as a vintage cartoon - Donald Duck or Disney's bears era.
Reviewed from a library copy.
June 8, 2024
Loads of scary fun! Perfect story time read for summer and camping
August 9, 2024
☆☆☆.5/5
Fun stuff. Imagine a camp horror movie but it's super silly and in a picture book for kiddos.
Fun stuff. Imagine a camp horror movie but it's super silly and in a picture book for kiddos.
October 30, 2024
I really wanted to like this book, but I didn't understand the ending.
June 11, 2024
ARC provided by publisher however all thoughts and opinions my own."
Get ready for a hilarious and slightly spooky adventure in “The Quacken” by Justin Colón and illustrated by Pablo Pino! In this charming picture book, we meet Hector, who encounters the legendary Quacken at Cucumonga Campground. But is the Quacken really as fearsome as they say? Find out in our review of this delightful story that blends humor with just the right amount of shivers down your spine.
In “The Quacken” by Justin Colón and illustrated by Pablo Pino, Hector finds himself at Cucumonga Campground, where legend speaks of a terrifying creature, the Quacken, lurking in the lake. But all Hector sees are adorable ducks, until he breaks the campground’s rule and releases the Quacken by feeding the ducks. “The Quacken” turns out to be a very real, very hungry, gigantic duck who eats everything in its path. Hector runs for his life but is eventually caught by the Quacken, who turns out not to like the taste of children. Hector lives to tell the tale of the Quacken who becomes a mythical creature that becomes the subject of spooky campfire stories.
This funny and slightly spooky book is perfect for kids who love laughter with a hint of suspense. Set in a campground, it’s a story that works all year round but especially for summer, offering humor for kids and clever nods to horror movie tropes for caregivers. Justin Colón, a picture book author, and Pablo Pino, an experienced illustrator, bring this hilarious adventure to life with diverse characters and a ridiculous villain who vomits green sludge after eating something that disagrees with its belly.
“The Quacken” is a silly book that walks that fine line of not being scary, but bringing a sense of danger to its main character. Plus, as a summer read or bedtime story, it’s a fantastic choice by Latine creators, adding much-needed diversity to children’s literature.
Get ready for a hilarious and slightly spooky adventure in “The Quacken” by Justin Colón and illustrated by Pablo Pino! In this charming picture book, we meet Hector, who encounters the legendary Quacken at Cucumonga Campground. But is the Quacken really as fearsome as they say? Find out in our review of this delightful story that blends humor with just the right amount of shivers down your spine.
In “The Quacken” by Justin Colón and illustrated by Pablo Pino, Hector finds himself at Cucumonga Campground, where legend speaks of a terrifying creature, the Quacken, lurking in the lake. But all Hector sees are adorable ducks, until he breaks the campground’s rule and releases the Quacken by feeding the ducks. “The Quacken” turns out to be a very real, very hungry, gigantic duck who eats everything in its path. Hector runs for his life but is eventually caught by the Quacken, who turns out not to like the taste of children. Hector lives to tell the tale of the Quacken who becomes a mythical creature that becomes the subject of spooky campfire stories.
This funny and slightly spooky book is perfect for kids who love laughter with a hint of suspense. Set in a campground, it’s a story that works all year round but especially for summer, offering humor for kids and clever nods to horror movie tropes for caregivers. Justin Colón, a picture book author, and Pablo Pino, an experienced illustrator, bring this hilarious adventure to life with diverse characters and a ridiculous villain who vomits green sludge after eating something that disagrees with its belly.
“The Quacken” is a silly book that walks that fine line of not being scary, but bringing a sense of danger to its main character. Plus, as a summer read or bedtime story, it’s a fantastic choice by Latine creators, adding much-needed diversity to children’s literature.
January 7, 2025
Legend has it Camp Cucumonga has a monster in the lake. Hector didn't believe the stories, and he didn't listen to the signs to not feed the ducks. And then he learned the hard way that the legends were all too true. But it hadn't reckoned on Hector.
This was hilarious. It is a tongue in cheek scary camp story/lake monster story turned on its head and made quite funny by the climax. The climax is a little gross, but it also still has me chuckling. Know the kid you hand this to as Hector is chased by the giant duck for a while, but the result is nonviolent . The illustrations definitely add to both the suspense and hilarity of the story. They were pitch perfect.
This was hilarious. It is a tongue in cheek scary camp story/lake monster story turned on its head and made quite funny by the climax. The climax is a little gross, but it also still has me chuckling. Know the kid you hand this to as Hector is chased by the giant duck for a while, but the result is nonviolent . The illustrations definitely add to both the suspense and hilarity of the story. They were pitch perfect.
September 30, 2024
Blurb: The Quacken, by Justin Colón, Pablo Pino, and Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, follows Hector as he spends time at Cucumonga Campground. Hector is warned to beware of a fierce creature lurking in the lakes. He doesn’t believe the rumors until...he finds himself face-to-face with THE QUACKEN!
#SeasonsOfKidLit says: Colón’s hilarious text paired with Pino’s vibrant and comical illustrations makes this book a true treat! Readers will laugh out loud as Hector shrugs off everyone’s warnings about the ducks at Cucumonga Campground and soon finds himself being chased by the largest duck anyone has ever seen - a kraken-sized Quacken. With a slightly spooky but overall funny theme, The Quacken is a go-to read for Halloween or any season.
#SeasonsOfKidLit says: Colón’s hilarious text paired with Pino’s vibrant and comical illustrations makes this book a true treat! Readers will laugh out loud as Hector shrugs off everyone’s warnings about the ducks at Cucumonga Campground and soon finds himself being chased by the largest duck anyone has ever seen - a kraken-sized Quacken. With a slightly spooky but overall funny theme, The Quacken is a go-to read for Halloween or any season.
November 20, 2024
Hector and his family arrive at Camp Cucumonga where strange things had been happening. Campers warned of a fearsome creature lurking in the lake. Other children warned Hector not to feed the ducks, even though they appeared like normal, cute, cuddly ducks. Hector decided not to listen and one day enjoyed himself while feeding the ducks. But when he ran out of food, the sky went dark, the water rippled, and out of the lake rose...THE QUACKEN! A very large and scary duck began to destroy everything around it. Hector tried to hide and keep watch only to find the Quacken watching him back! As fast as Hector ran, the Quacken was faster. When the Quacken grabbed Hector and raised him into the sky, Hector held on for dear life. And then, the Quacken sniffed him! And then the Quacken LICKED him!! And then the Quacken...puked...all. Over. Everything.
Hilarity will ensue in storytime. Highly recommended.
Hilarity will ensue in storytime. Highly recommended.
October 20, 2024
If you're ever feeling down, just remember, things could always be worse! You could be at Cucumonga Campground with a horde of quacking chaos at your heels.
The Quacken' had me and my daughter laughing out loud and reconsidering every duck we've ever fed in our live. Justin mixes the right level of creepy and comedy.
Who knew a boy named Hector could unleash so much mayhem just by handing over a few breadcrumbs?
The Quacken will swallow your attention! Just keep the breadcrumbs to yourself. Trust me.
The Quacken' had me and my daughter laughing out loud and reconsidering every duck we've ever fed in our live. Justin mixes the right level of creepy and comedy.
Who knew a boy named Hector could unleash so much mayhem just by handing over a few breadcrumbs?
The Quacken will swallow your attention! Just keep the breadcrumbs to yourself. Trust me.
October 15, 2024
A young boy releases the Quacken, a giant duck that lives in the lake at Cucamonga Campground, where his family is staying. Although signs warn against feeding the ducks, he doesn’t see the harm—until it’s too late. Fans of slightly creepy picture books will thoroughly enjoy this story. The digital illustrations are bright and dynamic, with several spreads featuring a comic book style that adds to the fun. This title is highly recommended!
January 21, 2026
This book is must read-aloud! The warnings, the suspense, the uncontrollable laughter! You won't be sorry that you chose this book when you hear the non-stop chuckles from the little person lucky enough to read it with you!
August 8, 2024
I love the art work in this one!!
August 24, 2024
My kids loved this book. They giggled all the way through it. Very well written— that perfect marriage of suspenseful and funny that kids love. The art is absolute perfection. Highly recommend.
October 21, 2024
Funny and just tense enough!
October 30, 2024
It's dumb, and I love it. Good for storytime giggles from an audience with low attention span.
November 8, 2024
3.5 stars. Not the kraken but the QUACKEN! Scary, not scary. Sort of the like the opposite of We Don’t Eat our Classmates. Children taste horrible. Fun story with the perfect illustrations for the story. Kids will love it. Super fun.
November 20, 2024
This was so fun to read out loud to thing two tonight.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews