Two Can Toucan

by David McKee

A bird who gets laughed at by other animals for not having a name, sets out to seek his fortune, and find a name.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

David McKee was a British writer and illustrator, chiefly of children's books and animations. He also used the pseudonym Violet Easton. He is frequently referenced as David (John) McKee. He has been commended for his gentle, playful but insightful stories.

For his contribution as a children's illustrator he was UK nominee for the biennial, international Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2006.

Reviews

[Sasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the interesting imagining of how toucans got their name and plumage. I think Froot Loops would approve.

[Zaid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor old ‘Two Can’; a bird that starts out without a name and is completely black compared to the wonderful colours of those living things around him in the jungle. Being the odd one out he is laughed at which makes him unhappy and prompts him to leave the jungle to seek his fortune.
He travels afar and ends up in the city, where he tries his hands at various professions. He finds he is a great carrier of ‘things’ and because of his long beak he is able to carry two cans of paint at once. His other feathered friends call him ‘Two Can’ as they could only carry one!
Was it a mistake that one day he decides to carry three paint pots of the familiar Toucan colours of orange red and white? As you may well guess this colourless little fellow ends up in the familiar shades we are all used to. Upon arriving back in the Jungle and not recognised by the others, they ask his name of which he tells them ‘Two Can’. They, of course, spell it T-O-U-C-A-N.

This book; a modern fable, is ideal as a read aloud book for EYFS with wonderful illustrations and a great story line.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute pourquoi tale. Of course it makes no sense, but it's clever. I like the "over the mountain" "tried office work but wearing a bowler hat made him feel silly" and "back over the mountain" pages best.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's A Gorgeous sweet book with fabulous pictures and a loveable hero.

[Nadina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute story, and I remember having read it as a child, and so that is what rounded it up to four stars for me, ideally I would have given this 3.5 stars but we can't give it half stars so I rounded it up.
The illustrations were simple, but good, and I liked the mixed use of color (and lack thereof).
The story was cute, a great "how this animal got it's name tale" as I said, I simply had a better memory of it.

[Hemangini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Also found this one in the shelves of the training center. It was fun to stumbe upon such treasures at the least expected place. Children's literature is a treasure. One fun, cute little book. Wonderful to read to your kids as they grow.

[Vicki Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a magnificent little book from the wonderful David McKee. It neatly illustrates that it is okay to be different, and persistence really does pay off. This was a great family favourite of my daughter, and I am sneaking a copy into her stuff as she heads off to university.

[Guilherme Semionato · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5

Open Library.

[Elisa Bandini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Geniale e super divertente!!!

[Jesus Orusco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Estupenda y original historia bilingüe.

[Good Gu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Toucan is not a loser, he is brave and get a good experience.

[Sarah]

Delightful! A super story with lots to talk about and fabulous illustrations with even more to talk about. My SBT1 class was called Toucans. I wish I had known this then...