Ducky

by Eve Bunting

After a crate of bath toys falls overboard, one yellow duck overcomes many scary obstacles, and eventually washes up on shore, where he meets a little boy and fulfills his destiny as a bath toy, in this delightful tale based on a true story, with vivid cut-paper illustrations by the Caldecott Medalist for Golem.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Nonfiction, Adventure, Science, Environment, Animals

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Also known as Evelyn Bolton and A.E. Bunting.

Anne Evelyn Bunting, better known as Eve Bunting, is an author with more than 250 books. Her books are diverse in age groups, from picture books to chapter books, and topic, ranging from Thanksgiving to riots in Los Angeles. Eve Bunting has won several awards for her works.

Bunting went to school in Ireland and grew up with storytelling. In Ireland, “There used to be Shanachies… the shanachie was a storyteller who went from house to house telling his tales of ghosts and fairies, of old Irish heroes and battles still to be won. Maybe I’m a bit of a Shanchie myself, telling stories to anyone who will listen.” This storytelling began as an inspiration for Bunting and continues with her work.

In 1958, Bunting moved to the United States with her husband and three children. A few years later, Bunting enrolled in a community college writing course. She felt the desire to write about her heritage. Bunting has taught writing classes at UCLA. She now lives in Pasadena, California.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taj, age 4: I love this book, I want to keep on reading it. The one where he got washed away was my favorite.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly the best opening line I've ever read: "I am a yellow plastic duck and I am in great danger." Based on a true story.

[Brenda Kahn]

I was inspired by Duck Overboard to go to my bookshelf to pull and reread Eve Bunting's 1997 book called Ducky. It was illustrated by David Wisniewski and my copy is autographed by him. Little did I know in 1997 when I read this "cute" story that plastic and cargo containers posed such an ecological threat. I appreciate this updated version of the story.

[Kirda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was read to me many moons ago when I was in elementary school. My library teacher used it as a jumping off point for a discussion about ocean pollution, and it is always stuck with me and remains with my favorite books from elementary school. I recently read it to my fifth grade class in honor of National Rubber Duck Day as our class mascot is a rubber duck. It sparked lots of discussion, lots of questions, and overall it was a great way to end our Friday afternoon.

I will always recommend this book anyone who loves ducks and anyone who loves our oceans.

[Kari Whitesell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever viewpoint, telling the tale of a rubber ducky in a crate with hundreds of other bath toys, on the deck of a ship sailing the ocean. The crate falls overboard and shatters in the water, scattering all the bath toys. The rubber duck tells of his hardships and his inabiity to swim, only being able to float. Fearful encounters with sharks, big waves, and loneliness precede his washing up on shore and being found by a boy.

[Natasha Roslosnik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just read Ducky to my 2nd grade class.

This book is based on a true event where 29,000 rubber toys were lost in the ocean and were found washed up on shore in Alaska, Washington, and the North Pole!

The kids wondered if they might find one of these ducks and where they might report it if they do.

[Lexie Hilliard · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was pretty confused while reading this book until I read the description in the back that connects it to a historical event. Since this book is part of the Being a Writer curriculum I’m interested in how the book will be introduced to students so they understand what’s happening before hearing it.

[Kaylynn Johnsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on actual events the story of Ducky, a rubber duck lost at sea, is a sweet, heart warming tale of being lost and then found.

David Wisniewski's cut paper illustrations were masterful. Colorful and eye catching.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about a duck who gets stuck in the ocean and ends up being found on the beach. It has an adventure that gets lonely but the duck ends up with a friend overall.

[Heather Harmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute book!

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Life can be quite uncertain. You think you are all safe and secure headed to your destination with the ones you love. And then wham. Something hits you from out of the blue and throws you for a loop. But this duck was given everything it needed to survive when it was made. And even though sometimes the journey was lonely and sometimes the journey was scary, the journey ends joyously in the end. I think our lives are like that too. We were given everything we needed to survive as well. And we are destined for joy.

Talking points: What things in life have thrown you for a loop? What gifts got you through it? How was there joy in the end?

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is based on a true incident that occurred in 1992 when a crate filled with 29,000 plastic bathtub toys was lost in a storm at sea. After that, toys kept washing up on beaches in many different places. Scientists have been using this information to learn about currents, tides, and winds.

Ducky was lost at sea. Fortunately he could float, but he eventually found himself alone and afraid. He is subjected to all sorts of weather and water creatures until someone finds him on a beach. It's a breath-holding adventure for young readers to enjoy.

[Shanna Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1992, a crate of 29,000 rubber bathtub toys washed overboard off a ship bound from Hong Kong to Washington, USA. Hundreds of toys have since been found in coastlands around the world, shedding light on our understanding of how currents, winds and tides interact. This book traces the story of one bathtub toy from the time its crate boards the ship until it is found by a boy in Alaska. The story draws young readers in by personifying the toy as if it is experiencing its journey as a sentient creature. Caldecott Medal Winner David Wisniewski illustrates the story in cut-paper collage, skillfully rendering the dramatic power of the ocean without being too frightening. This is an unusual story that may not appeal to every reader, but for those who prefer "real" stories or who are interested in science, it's a sure winner. It's best suited for preschoolers and early elementary readers.

[Mike Romesburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Final Project" - Author Study: Eve Bunting

"Ducky" was a very interesting story, actually based off true facts. A ship containing thousands of bathroom toys were in route from Hong Kong to the U.S. until the boat overturned and the toys were jarred loose. Even though not all of the toys were found, several of them were.

Continuing, this story mainly provides the message of facing adversity. Ducky starts in the ocean with all of his friends around him, until suddenly they begin disappearing. Before Ducky knows it, he is the only one left and is unsure of whether or not he will make it. Luckily, a boy finds him on shore and takes him home where he becomes a happy bathroom toy. Therefore, not only do children who read this get basic reading practice, they also figure out that facing a problem can be done and a solution is likely much closer than it may appear.

I most definitely recommend this book to any primary teacher.

[Julia Jasztal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mommy's review from 7/10/10 -


I'm going to list this as fiction but it should be said that this is based on a true story and it seems to follow very closely. In 1992 a crate carrying slightly less than 30,000 bathtub toys washed overboard after leaving Hong Kong in route to Tacoma, Washington. Many of the toys have washed ashore and been found off the Eastern coast of the Gulf of Alaska and it's expected more will end up in the Artic Ocean and the North Pole. Scientists are using this to learn more about a number of things including currents, winds, and tides.
Ducky stays very close to what I've written above and tells the story from the ducks p.o.v. He's lonely, he's scared and he's thrilled when he's found. All in all I think it's a really cute book and I'm always partial to books that take real life situations and news into account.

[Dawn Little · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book! I've finally had a chance to read it after reading about it for many years! I see the possibility of using it as a mentor text for idea development, as well as point of view. The beginning line is a great model for hooks when teaching organization! Additionally, I used it to teach beginning, middle, and end of a plot to kindergartners.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frankly, I'm surprised this didn't win a Caldecott award. I wonder what beat it that year? Very intricate, colorful illustrations made out of paper. The story is a fascinating true tale of a crate of bath toys that went overboard and were found along the coast of Alaska. I enjoyed this book as much as my kids did.

[Kandice Buck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ducky is a book about a duck who is in a crate with other toys on a boat. This crate falls off a boat and is opened up into the ocean. The duck is scared of the ocean and the animals that live it. He is rescued by a boy and is very happy to be a bathtub duck.This book is based off of a real life event. It has an author note at the end to tell the story that this book is based off of.

[Wrigley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author s a really good author. Its worthy of reading. The quality of writing is really good. It's from the character of the duck and it really gives you the feeling that the author wants you to feel - that you are the duck.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very cute children's story about something that happened several years ago. Many of these bath toys washed up on Pacific Northwest beaches, so my niece, nephew, and I really enjoyed reading this book.

[Mrs. Ambler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book isn't available in our school library or in the public library but it is my favorite picture book ever. I really need to find it to buy!!!! If you ever see it you should stop and read it.

[Miss Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

GR Level: K

Elementary: E BUN

This book is based on a true even that happened in 1992. Ducky and his bathtub toy friends fall of a ship and begin floating in different directions. Ducky feels lonely, until . . .

[Garrett Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would greatly suggest this book not only for the awesome illustrations and story line, but the historical story behind it! This would be a great story to introduce a section about the ocean to younger students! What an awesome historical line to this story!

[Rose]

E Bun

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of a cargo crate of bath toys who are lost at sea. Eventually Ducky finds his way to land and a new owner. Based on a true story. Very cute and the paper illustrations are adorable!

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is based on a true even that happened in 1992. Ducky and his bathtub toy friends fall of a ship and begin floating in different directions. Ducky feels lonely, until . . .

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun book to use in the science classroom in elementary school.

[Debby Baumgartner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picturebook historical fiction that brings to life the story of ship containers being lost at sea because of a story and dumps out plastic bath toys that travel the Pacific Ocean.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the pictures! Cute story that follows a rubber ducky through quite the adventure.