Do Like a Duck Does!
What’s inside...
The deliciously suspenseful story and bubbly verse will have toddlers bouncing in their seats! Mama Duck has a good hunch that the big brown creature waddling behind her babies is no duck. As the foxy impostor sneaks closer and closer to Mama Duck’s trailing brood, little listeners will delight in shouting out his identity. Infectious rhythms and fresh, expressive watercolors liven up the pursuit, which ends when Mama Duck confronts the villain, beak to snout - and beats him at his own game.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-6
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the mother duck was cautious of the fox?
How did the ducklings show they were a family?
What do you think is the most important lesson the ducklings learned?
How would you feel if you were a part of the duck family?
What would you do if you met someone new like the fox?
Tip: Role play these questions
Ask your child to imagine themselves as one of the characters and share how they might react in a similar situation.
Discuss the importance of family and teamwork as shown in the story and relate it to your child's everyday experiences.
Encourage your child to talk about times they felt suspicious or cautious, and what outcomes those feelings led to.
Use expressive voices for different characters to make the reading session more interactive and fun.
Share a personal story about a time you had to be cautious and the lesson you learned from it, allowing the child to draw parallels to the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Caution and Awareness
Explanation: In the story, Mama Duck teaches her ducklings the importance of being cautious and aware of their surroundings to stay safe from the fox that pretends to be a duck.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be observant and cautious in new or unfamiliar environments, helping them make safer choices.
Example Lesson: Following Instructions
Explanation: The ducklings follow Mama Duck’s instructions carefully, which keeps them safe from the cunning fox.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the importance of listening to and following guidance from parents and teachers to ensure safety and order.
Example Lesson: Understanding Stranger Danger
Explanation: The story highlights how the fox tries to blend in and trick the ducklings, emphasizing the concept of 'stranger danger'.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be wary of strangers and understand the importance of sticking close to trusted adults in public places.
Example Lesson: Critical Thinking
Explanation: Mama Duck’s skepticism about the fox teaches children to question inconsistencies and think critically about situations.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to develop critical thinking skills, helping them to not accept things at face value and ask questions when things seem odd.