Muddle & Mo: A Warm and Funny Tale About Friendship and Identity for Children

by Nikki Slade Robinson

Muddle (a duck) and Mo (a goat) are best friends, but Muddle is a bit confused about what type of animals they both are. Fortunately, during the course of their walk together, long-suffering Mo helps Muddle get his duck identity sorted out in this warm and funny tale of friendship, differences, and acceptance.  

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

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2015

About the author

Nikola Slade Robinson, generally known as Nikki Slade Robinson, is a New Zealand children’s picture book writer and illustrator. Her books have been widely reviewed and shortlisted for a number of awards.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet story of a duck who wonders why his pal, a goat, doesn't look like a duck.



I loved the author's pastel illustrations more than the text.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muddle and Mo are going to be a couple of my favourite characters. Full of laughter and empathy.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: "Mo?" "Yes, Muddle?" "You're a funny color for a duck!" "Your beak is too hairy." "You should eat worms." "Your wings are on your head."

Premise/plot: Muddle and Mo are best friends. If I had to describe each in just one word, I'd say Muddle was CONFUSED and Mo is PATIENT. Muddle is under the impression that both are ducks. Muddle doesn't know why Mo--being a duck--is such a WEIRD duck. (My favorite line? "Your wings are on your head.") Slowly, it begins to dawn on her that maybe just maybe Mo isn't a duck after all. That Mo is in fact a goat--which would explain so much. But if Mo is a goat, does that mean Muddle is a duck too?!

My thoughts: I thought this one was cute. I know some critics think that "cute" is the worst thing a picture book can be. But I never claimed to be a critic. I happen to really like cute books. This cute book was originally published in New Zealand in 2015. One of my favorite things about it is that all the text--except for "the end"--is dialogue. Another thing that makes this one a bit unique is the way it's illustrated. Mo and Muddle appear on a background of blue.

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10

[CWHill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muddle and Mo is an enchanting tale of friendship that will be a hit with your preschooler. It celebrates who we are, as well as the differences that each one of us can bring to a friendship. With beautiful illustrations, the story takes us on journey with Muddle, the duck, and Mo, the goat. A wonderful book to share with your children as they celebrate the beauty of their individuality and learning that what makes us different also makes us special.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming story of friendship, identity, and one very confused duck. Poor Muddle just can't figure out why Mo is such an odd duck. A hairy beak? Eating grass instead of worms? Wings on the side of his head? What's going on here? Fortunately, calm, patient Mo helps clear things up and answers a few questions about Muddle's own identity.

Told entirely through straightforward dialogue, this picture book would make a great choice for a storytime read aloud. Preschoolers especially might enjoy correcting Muddle about exactly what kind of animal Mo is. The illustrations have simple blue backgrounds, putting the reader's focus directly on the characters and increasing visibility for larger storytime groups.

[Tracy Schillemore · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a duck that is confused how come his friends looks so weird. Not like a duck at all. The reason is that his friend is a goat. It is kind of cute. I would only use it for a preschool group however. There is very little text and I think the humour will resonate with a younger group.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable. Love the uncomplicated illustrations with the slate blue background and the sparse questioning by duck to goat who is asking goat if he is a duck. Hidden message here of differences in beings can still be friends.

[Emily Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute book! The confused duck, Muddle, thinks that his goat friend, Mo, is a strange duck. A wonderful piece on how to recognize that the differences between one another, and that our differences are okay.
Picture Book

[MeganRuth - Alohamora Open a Book · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun short read about the differences between goats and ducks. This could be a great book for a teacher to use a venn diagram with.

It could also work as a second book to The Greedy Goat by Horacek in a family storytime. You could focus on classification.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Muddle is quite a confused duck.

[Angie Quantrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muddle thinks Mo is a duck, but not a very good one. Adorable tale of mistaken identity. Perfect illustrations and simple text.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

June 2017

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple and silly

[Kate TerHaar · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple story of mistaken identity. Simple text, cute illustraions,

[Courtney Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

A duck is very concerned for his friend that looks nothing like a duck. Luckily, he discovers he is a goat. Does that make him a goat, too?? Fantastic book about learning about yourself and others.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a very quick read. Muddle and Mo are best friends. Muddle is a little bewildered...he thinks Mo is a duck. He proceeds to list off the ways that Mo doesn't look like a duck.

[Clarissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, funny, and charming!

[Jaime · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute illustrations.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't a huge fan of this one but apparently kiddo liked it a lot, so it gets bonus points for that!

[R. L. Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty sure this was a library read. I don't remember a whole lot. But I remember we at least enjoyed it and wanted to read more!

[Kayla Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

a perfect example of books to read 5 year olds. adorable illustrations, short sentences, clear story and concept. love love love. i will willingly read this again.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is cute. 2-3 yos would like the juxtaposition of a duck with a goat, while the duck tries to understand the difference between himself and the goat.

[Brittany · Rating 1 out of 5]

Stop. Imagine a goat saying this...Craaaaaaaaaap!
Don't waste your time.

[MaryLibrarianOH · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute animal friendship story between and duck and a goat. One of them is a little confused as to what type of animal their best buddy is. Sweet and humorous.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really fun way to introduce difference to children who might not yet recognize it. While it's a short book, it is funny and endearing, and the friendship and patience represented are commendable. I also really enjoyed the illustrations.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A duck is explaining to his friend why he isn't a good duck. But is his friend really a duck? Cute. Toddler and up.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and fun!

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hehe such a cute and chuckle worthy picture book. A great one to read to young children with lots of expression - it would make them giggle a lot!!!!

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming!