Duddle Puck: The Puddle Duck

by Karma Wilson, Marcellus Hall (Illustrations)

Meet the one and only Duddle Puck, a plucky duck who does anything but quack in this picture book from New York Times bestselling duo Karma Wilson and Marcellus Hall that is anything but stereotypical.

Everyone knows that ducks quack, right? Well, everyone except Duddle Puck, a puddle duck who just won't quack. Duddle Puck just loves to make all sorts of barnyard sounds as he jigs around the farm. He can cluck, honk, oink, and neigh with the best of them. But quack? Nope. The other barnyard animals think there's no room on a farm for a duck that won't behave like a duck. Yet as they try to teach Duddle Puck be a proper duck, they may just find that their rules aren't all they're "quacked" up to be.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Storytime, Childrens, Humor, Juvenile, Birds

40 pages, Hardcover

First published August 25, 2015

About the author

Karma Wilson grew up an only child of a single mother in the wilds of North Idaho. Way back then (just past the stone age and somewhat before the era of computers) there was no cable TV and if there had been Karma could not have recieved it. TV reception was limited to 3 channels, of which one came in with some clarity. Karma did the only sensible thing a lonely little girl could do…she read or played outdoors.

Playing outdoors was fun, but reading was Karma’s “first love” and, by the age 11, she was devouring about a novel a day. She was even known to try to read while riding her bike down dirt roads, which she does not recommend as it is hazardous to the general well being of the bike, the rider, and more importantly the book. Her reading preferences were fantasy (C.S. Lewis, Terry Brooks, etc…) and historical fiction (L.M. Montgomery, Laura Ingalls Wilder, etc…). Those tastes have not changed much.

Karma never considered writing as a profession because her mother was a professional writer which made it seem like mundane work. At the age of 27 she realized that she still loved well-written children’s books of all kinds, from picture books to young adult novels. By that time Karma was a wife and the mother of three young children. Trips to the library with her kids were a combination of emotions…a good book meant fun for all! But so many of the books weren’t what her children wanted to listen to.

Then a tax refund changed everything. With the money the family decided to invest in a computer. Karma was forced to learn to type. Combining her desire to make the expensive computer pay for itself, her new-found typing skill, and her love of children’s literature, Karma started writing for children. She wanted to put a few more good books on the library shelves and pay off that computer! Countless rejections and three years later Karma was finally accepted by book agent Steven Malk (who had already rejected her once, which she never lets him forget). Her first book, Bear Snores On, was released in 2002. The computer was paid for!

Since then Karma has had more than 30 books accepted for publication. Many of those are on the shelves of libraries and bookstores around the world. Her books have received numerous state and national awards, been translated into dozens of languages, and a few have made an appearance on the New York Times bestseller list. Karma sincerely hopes that her books bring joy to children and families everywhere.

Karma writes humorous, rhythmic picture books for the very young, and humorous and wistful poetry for the primary grades.

These days Karma lives with her handsome husband Scott, and her three not-so-young-anymore children, two dogs, two chickens and one cat on some modest but lovely acreage in NW Montana. Her hobbies include reading (of course), photography, baking, yoga, and a passion for Mixed Martial Arts.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Duddle Puck is quite the puddle duck. Rather than announcing himself with the sound attributed to a duck, he chooses to oink, neigh, and sometimes even honk. While he has fun with it, the other animals on the farm get quite concerned and try to change his ways. Duddle has fun with this and lives life as he sees fit. By the end, Duddle is happy to appease his friends, sorta! Neo liked the story and wonders if ducks actually could mimic other animal sounds. Not sure, but he is on a mission to find out.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this is yet another book about a farm animal not making the correct sound, it is cute. I won't be using it as a read aloud due to the high probability that my tongue will get tied and I'll accidentally drop an f-bomb in a class!

[Kassiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one had adorable words and will definitely be a favorite for kids to oink and quack along with. I didn't love the pictures, but Duddle was pretty cute.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great rhymes and super funny. Can't wait to use it in storytime.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

VERY fun . . . pair with "Bark, George."

[Sara Grochowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved all the animal sounds and silliness in this one. It would make a fantastic read aloud, but only after a bit of practice - it's a tongue twister! Would pair well with This Is a Moose.

[Rachael Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun rhymes and lots of different farm animal noises.

[Cail Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silas thought this book was sad (I think he was thinking of The Bear and the Wildcat that was part of this library haul). A very funny book about a duck that makes the sounds of all the other barn-yard animals except a duck.

[Amy Allgeier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and silly. However, I'm afraid to read this in storytime and saying the wrong word.... :)

[Lorna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Normally, I love all things Karma Wilson, but this one didn't click with me. I did like the illustrations, though.

[Kalynne]

Preschool Storytime
Attendees: 58
Date: 6.09.23
Theme: Ducks

Introduction and announcements: Put Your Hands up High

Book one: Hey Duck! By Carin Bramsen

Song/rhyme/game one: 5 Little Duck flannel board

Song/ rhyme/ game two: Behold the Duck
Behold the duck.
It does not cluck.
A cluck it lacks.
It quacks.
It is especially fond.
Of a puddle or pond
When it dines or sups,
It bottoms up.

Book two: Duddle Puck the Puddle Duck by Karma Wilson

Song/rhyme/game three: Dance, Freeze, Melt by Mr. Eric and Mr. Michael

Book three: Duck, Duck, Dad? By Lorna Scobie

Song/ rhyme/ game four: I Know a Chicken by Laurie Berkner

Activity: https://rainydaymum.co.uk/wp-content/...

[Isabella Santana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Duddle Puck: The Puddle Duck is a 3-STAR book to me. Ducks are supposed to sound like ducks, but Duddle Puck refuses to be who he is. Instead, he wants to be just like everyone else. I think he should be proud to be who he is. I do like how all the other characters in the book always look confused. And, I love the sound words. They are fun to say. Overall, I think this book should be read at least once.

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll be frank. I don't trust myself to do this book in storytime. Too much rhyming ;) And it borders on a tongue twister!! It's also not my favorite Karma Wilson either (who I adore). All that said, this story would be a fun one for teaching animal sounds to children. Indeed, I would love those elements in a storytime!

There is also funny humor all throughout, especially at the end, that does make this a fun one!

[Keayra D]

Intended Audience
The book is intended for children the ages of 5 and up.
Key themes
The book is about a duck named puck who is an extradentary duck who does not announce himself and he has the decision of oinking which makes everyone look surprised because ducks do not oink.

Why I chose this book for my library
I chose this book for my library because it is a very interactive book, and it highlights how the animals were surprised because they did not know ducks can oink only pigs.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun illustrations and tongue-twisting text about a duck who uses all the other animal sounds instead of quacking. This just bothers everyone else on the farm until they finally confront Duddle Puck who has an interesting solution. After some practice to get myself familiar with the text so I don't accidentally drop an "f" bomb, I think my story time kids will love the silliness and the animal sounds.

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Duddle Puck is not making the right noise. He's making the noises all the other animals make, but not a quack like a duck should. The animals decide that something must be done.

Duddle Puck is the farm joker. I found him and the other animals a little annoying in the way they went about things, but kids who enjoy books when the animals mix up their noises should find this a hoot.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The theme may not be all that original, but it is *so* fun to read aloud. Not only does it require one's best tongue-twister skills, but there is a sprinkling of puns and other word-play, too. The illustrations are darling, with details worth spending time exploring. Duddle is a good role model. ;)

[Cory Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like Karma Wilson. Her rhyme and rythm is always atypical and entertaining. Today I read “Duddle Puck: the Puddle Duck” and it was as silly as you might imagine. I also liked the message, which was, as I understand a message about letting people be what they want to be.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book that will have you learning farm yard animal sounds (duck, chicken, goose, horse, etc.).

Kids will probably be tickled by the duck who always says the wrong sound.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know how I missed this one. I always try to keep an eye out for new Karma Wilson books. This is adorable and will be a great addition to my Farm and Duck Storytime themes. :)

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

When young children are at that age where they love making the sounds of all the various barnyard animals, this would be a great book to read together.

[Tommy Schlosser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be careful about judging others!

[Cecilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sassy-ass duck. Cute story about never letting anyone force you to be something you aren't.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silly Duddle Puck doesn't make the right duck sounds.

K4 unit: farm animals/ animal sounds

[Lacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, but not too interesting - maybe for Pre K or Kinder, but I can't see my second graders getting into it.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, silly book about a duck who doesn't quack. This is a good book for preschoolers and toddlers, farm animal fans & kids learning about the sounds that farm animals make.
Kids enjoyed this book.

[Aarvik · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay read!

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

I love how much this duck knows who he is and sticks to doing what he wants to do.

[Caleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was good!

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ha ha! He tricks them!