Duck for President
Farmer Brown's Barnyard Tales Series
What’s inside...
Duck for President tells the story of a duck who rises from humble beginnings in a pond to hold various leadership roles, including farmer and governor, with aspirations to become the President of the United States. The narrative emphasizes that despite being a duck, he has the potential and capability to lead the nation, ultimately asking for the reader's 'vote' in support of his presidential bid.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Duck felt when he decided to run for president?
What are some responsibilities you think Duck had as a leader?
Why do you think Duck wanted to be in charge? Do you think being in charge is easy or hard?
What would you do if you were president for a day?
How did the other animals react to Duck's decisions? How important is it to listen to others?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use a warm tone and ask questions in a way that shows genuine interest in your child’s perspectives.
Encourage your child to think about leadership and responsibility by relating it to their experiences, like being a leader in a group project or taking care of a family pet.
Discuss the importance of teamwork and listening skills by reflecting on how Duck interacts with other farm animals.
Support critical thinking by asking what they would do differently if they were in Duck’s position.
Celebrate their responses, whether big or small, to show that their thoughts and viewpoints are valued.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Duck takes on roles from managing chores to running a farm, showcasing the importance of responsibility.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of completing tasks and the role of responsibility in achieving goals.
Example Lesson: Leadership
Explanation: As Duck campaigns for president, the book illustrates what leadership entails and the challenges it involves.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to develop leadership skills in group activities and understand the dynamics of leading.
Example Lesson: Understanding governance
Explanation: Duck’s journey provides insight into how leadership and governance operate, making it relatable through the election process.
Real-World Application: Kids gain a basic understanding of political structures which can be helpful in civics education.
Example Lesson: Hard work
Explanation: Duck’s continuous effort to take on more responsibilities highlights the importance of hard work.
Real-World Application: Children learn to associate hard work with accomplishing tasks and the importance of diligence.
Example Lesson: The value of persistence
Explanation: Despite challenges, Duck doesn’t give up his ambitions, teaching the value of persistence.
Real-World Application: It motivates children to persist in their endeavors, be it academics or extracurricular activities, despite obstacles.