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Just a Duck?
Perfect for fans of Mo Willems' Elephant and Piggie series, Carin Bramsen's beloved Hey, Duck! characters return in this humorous and heartwarming picture book all about friendship.
Now that Cat has learned to play games that Duck enjoys, it's Duck's turn to try things that Cat likes. However, climbing trees and swatting at leaves prove to be a bit tricky for flat-footed Duck. What's an unlikely pair of friends to do?
Look for these other books featuring Duck and
Hey, Duck!
Sleepover Duck (available 1/2/18)
Praise for Carin Bramsen's Duck and Cat
Hey, Duck!
"A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together." — Kirkus Reviews
". . . should tickle preschoolers." — Publishers Weekly
Just a Duck?
"Outstanding . . . An endearing story for group or one-on-one sharing." — School Library Journal
"The tale is equal in every way to the visual appeal . . . Sweet, tender and delightful." — Kirkus Reviews
"A gently funny story of the differences, similarities, and compromises that make for rewarding friendships" — Publishers Weekly
2016 Buckeye Book Award nominee!
Now that Cat has learned to play games that Duck enjoys, it's Duck's turn to try things that Cat likes. However, climbing trees and swatting at leaves prove to be a bit tricky for flat-footed Duck. What's an unlikely pair of friends to do?
Look for these other books featuring Duck and
Hey, Duck!
Sleepover Duck (available 1/2/18)
Praise for Carin Bramsen's Duck and Cat
Hey, Duck!
"A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together." — Kirkus Reviews
". . . should tickle preschoolers." — Publishers Weekly
Just a Duck?
"Outstanding . . . An endearing story for group or one-on-one sharing." — School Library Journal
"The tale is equal in every way to the visual appeal . . . Sweet, tender and delightful." — Kirkus Reviews
"A gently funny story of the differences, similarities, and compromises that make for rewarding friendships" — Publishers Weekly
2016 Buckeye Book Award nominee!
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 27, 2015
4 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
August 10, 2018
Whether we’re the same or different, friends accept us for who we are. A charming story of friendship with adorable illustrations that will win you over!
February 4, 2015
To begin with, I am not a fan of rhyming stories, in general. Of course there are some books whose rhymes enchant me still but, for the most part, rhymey kids books do not bring me pleasure.
Please bear that in mind when I say: The story? It's fine. Good for read-alouds but definitely not my favorite.
I mean, I'm picking up what's been put down: Be content with who you are and celebrate diversity because we all have commonalities amongst our differences. Don't try to be someone else, be happy to be you and cultivate friendship with those who are not like you, if you can, for maximum fabulousness. Only, that's all said in rhymey format.
But who cares because you know what makes this book awesome?
The pictures.
OMG, THE PICTURES!
They almost killed me. This little duck is super lucky it doesn't live near me because I would steal it.
Seriously.
Look at how it sneaks like a cat.
That's on the second page. It doesn't get any better from there. My eyes were bleeding from the ridiculous amounts of cute to which they were exposed, page after page.
The cat is adorable, too, but the duck, Duck steals the show.
Please bear that in mind when I say: The story? It's fine. Good for read-alouds but definitely not my favorite.
I mean, I'm picking up what's been put down: Be content with who you are and celebrate diversity because we all have commonalities amongst our differences. Don't try to be someone else, be happy to be you and cultivate friendship with those who are not like you, if you can, for maximum fabulousness. Only, that's all said in rhymey format.
But who cares because you know what makes this book awesome?
The pictures.
OMG, THE PICTURES!
They almost killed me. This little duck is super lucky it doesn't live near me because I would steal it.
Seriously.
Look at how it sneaks like a cat.
That's on the second page. It doesn't get any better from there. My eyes were bleeding from the ridiculous amounts of cute to which they were exposed, page after page.
The cat is adorable, too, but the duck, Duck steals the show.
February 15, 2018
Beautiful illustration and sweet story of one's perception of who one is.
May 20, 2018
Very sweet story! The friendship between duck and cat is endearing. I like that cat asks if duck is a “super cat.”
June 2, 2015
Little Duck has decided when he grows up, he will be a cat just like his friend Cat. Cat indulges him and takes him off around the farm to do cat-like activities, walking like a cat, purring, climbing trees, batting leaves. Duck isn’t quite up to snuff, and the two decide maybe Duck just needs time to grow cat ears, claws for climbing, but that he will one day make a great Cat. But then, as they play, disaster strikes as Cat falls in the water. As everyone knows, Cats aren’t great swimmers. Luckily, Duck has retained all of his duck-like skills and is not a very good Cat just yet! Duck swims to Cat’s side and rescues him just in time. Will Cat convince Duck it might be best for him (and others!) to stick with what comes naturally and just be himself?
This is a really creative, sweet story to read to your child to help them understand how great they are when they are just themselves! This book celebrates differences and friendship and teaches children that they will have more fun when they find activities that they will both be able to enjoy doing together, even if they excel at different things. “Just A Duck?” is accompanied by bright and colorful illustrations which are big, bold and detailed. The friendly faces of these two buddies are drawn with a lot of sweet expressions, especially Duck! We’d love to see more adventures from this unlikely pair of true friends, Duck and his sidekick in Cat!
Read more at www.diapers-and-daydreams.com
This is a really creative, sweet story to read to your child to help them understand how great they are when they are just themselves! This book celebrates differences and friendship and teaches children that they will have more fun when they find activities that they will both be able to enjoy doing together, even if they excel at different things. “Just A Duck?” is accompanied by bright and colorful illustrations which are big, bold and detailed. The friendly faces of these two buddies are drawn with a lot of sweet expressions, especially Duck! We’d love to see more adventures from this unlikely pair of true friends, Duck and his sidekick in Cat!
Read more at www.diapers-and-daydreams.com
October 10, 2015
Duck tries ever so desperately to be just like Cat, but sadly, Duck has no ears or claws to use in animal games. Duck tries hard to climb a tree, but to no avail. When Cat's chasing after leaves results in sending him into the water, Duck rescues her friend. As it turns out, Duck is better off being Duck, and Cat is perfectly content being Cat. After all, there's nothing wrong with being just a duck or just a cat, for that matter. The last page shows what they share as they shake off all the water droplets from their fur and feathers. I liked this well enough although the just-be-yourself message is a familiar one, and it's pretty unlikely that a cat and a duck could peacefully coexist. The whimsical illustrations will have plenty of appeal for young readers who may take solace from being reminded that while there are plenty of things they cannot do well, there are also several things at which they can excel.
October 12, 2016
Just a Duck?
By: Carin Bramsen who is the author and illustrator
A cute story about a duck who is friends with a cat. The duck thinks he is a cat too. The cat tells the duck that he doesn’t see how you’re a cat because it does not have the same features as the cat. They both go off together and try to do the same things as each other but they come to realize they can’t do the same activities such as climb a tree. At the end o f the book the duck saves the cat from drowning in the water and the cat thanks the duck for saving him and calls the duck his hero.
This is a simple book that has two sentences on each page which is nice because it is not overwhelming.
The pictures in this book are amazing because they are very detailed, they are up close and the cat and the duck look very happy along with the scenes. The colors are bright and it looks like the pictures are painted. Some of the pages in the book just have pictures on them.
By: Carin Bramsen who is the author and illustrator
A cute story about a duck who is friends with a cat. The duck thinks he is a cat too. The cat tells the duck that he doesn’t see how you’re a cat because it does not have the same features as the cat. They both go off together and try to do the same things as each other but they come to realize they can’t do the same activities such as climb a tree. At the end o f the book the duck saves the cat from drowning in the water and the cat thanks the duck for saving him and calls the duck his hero.
This is a simple book that has two sentences on each page which is nice because it is not overwhelming.
The pictures in this book are amazing because they are very detailed, they are up close and the cat and the duck look very happy along with the scenes. The colors are bright and it looks like the pictures are painted. Some of the pages in the book just have pictures on them.
October 5, 2016
To me, this book had an overall sweet and cute theme behind it. When read, I had a soft tone and very soothing which I thought went along well with the book itself. The book is very, soft? For lack of a better word. I really liked the illustrations too, which I thought were very cute and fitting for the book, not too much to overpower the theme and book itself. I don't have much to say about this book, I just overall thought it was cute and enjoyable to read, I would definitely read it to a future class!
September 4, 2014
Cat and Duck from Hey, Duck! return in a story filled with rhyme and quick banter. Duck is sure he'll be just like Cat when he grows up - he just needs a little more time for his ears and claws to come in - so he tries to climb trees and slink just like Cat. But, when Cat lands himself in a very wet situation, Duck is glad that he's 'just a duck' and comes to the rescue. Just a Duck? is a story about friendship and how being different can be even better than being the same.
May 10, 2016
This is a very sweet book about a duck and a cat who are friends. The duck thinks he is a cat that has just not developed his "cat" parts yet... until he tries to climb a tree. The duck and cat try to play another game and the cat falls into the water. The duck must save the cat and thus accepts his "duckness". A very sweet tale about friends who do not need to be the same in order to care for one another.
March 31, 2016
This book is delightful, thoughtful, and beautiful. The illustrations are soft, colorful representations of two friends, and they pull the reader into a simple story that encourages young readers to accept who they are and embrace their skills and limitations. I highly recommend this title for preschool - 1st grade readers, parents, and educators.
February 23, 2015
I just want to cuddle this little duck! And also probably kiss his little downy head! Heck, I would even cuddle the cat. These illustrations are darling and the story is so sweet.
November 26, 2015
A fantastic book about individuality and friendship. Love this fun, cute tale.
November 20, 2018
This is a great book about friendship. The story is told in a charming and heartfelt way. The rhyming aspect in the stances makes for a easy flowing read. The story tells of two friends, one a cat, the other a duck. the duck cannot wait to grow so that its cat-like features will begin to show. The cat makes suggestions as things they can partake in but by the ducks' dismay, he is unable to perform the tasks that every beloved cat seemingly enjoys. The cat being so very empathetic towards the discouraged ducks' feelings, supports the notion that his cat qualities have just not come in yet. When the duck makes suggestions as to what they can do together it involves water. The cat does not think that is a good idea and becomes distracted by a leaf caught in the breeze, not paying attention, he follows it off the dock and right into the water. The duck comes to the rescue. With the cat's claws clenched to a floating log, the duck pushes him safely to the shore. Afterwards, the duck has a new profound outlook on being who he is meant to be, a duck. They wish they could possess the qualities that the other obtains, but realize they are both have great attributes to bring to the friendship. Still looking for something to do together that they both are good at, the shimmy shake begins. This book is wonderful, an easy and entertaining read. One for the bookshelves.
October 21, 2018
Just a Duck? is an adorable story about a duck and a cat. When the duck tells the cat that soon he will turn into a cat, to, the cat decides to take the duck to her favorite tree. The cat climbs the tree with ease, however, the duck can't seem to get the hang of it. Then the cat and the duck try to figure out something else they can do together. The duck suggests playing in the canoe that is placed in the lake. The cat has another idea, though. The cat began to chase a leaf that was being blown in the air by the wind. When it is too late, the cat realizes she chased that leaf right into the lake. The cat swims to the nearest log, and the duck jumps in the water to push the cat to shore. When they reach shore, the duck realizes that he is just a duck. The cat explains that he is a duck that saved her life and his a hero. The duck and the cat remained best friends, even if they weren't the same animals. Together, the cat and the duck played the shimmy-shake game to get all of the water off of their bodies. I loved this book! The pictures are adorable and the story is great as well! I would definitely use this book in an elementary school classroom.
March 9, 2018
Little duck wants to be just like a cat so they can play together. Cat takes him to a tree to climb, but the duck can't quite do it. They go to find something they both can do and cat falls into the water. He doesn't like the water. The duck swims and saves him. The cat is impressed but duck admits he's only a duck. The cat disagrees and says he's just the duck for him. They shake off water together.
January 26, 2022
Duck is actually a cat. That's what he says anyway. But his ears and claws haven't grown in yet, and he doesn't like chasing leaves. But if he can't be a cat, can duck accept the good things about being an aquatic bird?
This was a cute one with a subtle message of self-acceptance. I can't say I've seen many illustrations in this style and I am intrigued. Overall well done, but the climax was not very memorable.
This was a cute one with a subtle message of self-acceptance. I can't say I've seen many illustrations in this style and I am intrigued. Overall well done, but the climax was not very memorable.
April 25, 2018
Duck is just sure that when he grows up, he's going to be like cat. But where are Duck's ears? Where are Duck's claws? Can they find a game that they both can play? Duck isn't "on his climbing game." But Cat isn't interested in "playing canoe" in the lake. But a single leaf upon the breeze lands cat in the water and changes both their perspectives altogether.
Adorable illustrations.
Adorable illustrations.
June 17, 2017
A nice story about a duck and a cat that are friends. The duck wants to be a cat (rather than "just a duck") but learns that being a duck is a pretty awesome thing when he saves his cat friend after a fall into the pond.
February 22, 2018
Cute picture book that incorporates a lot of great teaching elements to generate kids' enthusiasm: an unlikely pair of friends, entertaining rhymes, humor, mishaps and adventure. It's fun to see what duck and cat admire about each other, and how their traits blend to make them a perfect match.
October 23, 2018
Wonderful story that teaches the value of self acceptance. We all look different and have different innate abilities, that doesn't make us better or worse than someone else - just different. Friendship, values and self-esteem are taught.
January 30, 2019
Sweet story about a duck who thinks he wants to be a cat. His friend Cat is patient and inclusive, but in the end they see that differences are what makes them strong and friends don't have to be the same. Beautiful illustrations - this one is wonderful.
May 6, 2019
i liked it, but did not like it enough for storytime. is a longer story, it has a great ending where they both realize they should just be what they both are, a cat and a duck. the duck wants to be a cat, ends up saving the cat by swimming in the water. they both end up fine with who they are.
March 9, 2023
Captivating illustrations by Carin Bramsen -- they charm me right from the cover art. Such softness, combined with contagious excitement, movement that seems real, great aliveness.
I'd call this a humor book and also a friendship book. Very endearing!
And that ending is super-cool.
I'd call this a humor book and also a friendship book. Very endearing!
And that ending is super-cool.
August 4, 2023
Duck wants to be a cat when he grows up, so his friend Cat shows him how cats play. Duck isn't very good at doing cat like things, but when a sudden mishap occurs, both Duck and Cat finds something that they both can do.
December 7, 2024
The duck and cat realize they are different but still want to be friends. They put their strengths together to be even better friends and help each other out. This is a good book for children to read with the vibrant colors and the cute lesson it gives off about working together.
November 20, 2017
Such a cute story! My toddler loved this (she was given this at Easter as a gift) and loves it!
I love the message it gives!
I love the message it gives!
February 11, 2018
Not as good as her first one but still adorable!! So glad that Carin Bramsen is continuing the story between these two!
July 6, 2018
What a cute book that shows we all have special talents! My daughter loves these books.
July 26, 2018
Duck vs Cat - they definitely can't do all things the same.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews