Quick Quack Quentin
What’s inside...
From the award-winning Kes Gray and the winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, Jim Field, comes an hilarious tale about one duck's quest for a missing vowel! Quentin was a duck with a very quick quack. 'QUCK!' said Quentin. 'What's wrong with me?' Quentin's quack has lost its A. Do any of the other animals have one to spare? Not likely! APES don't want to be PES. SNAKES don't want to be SNKES. PANDAS don't want to be PNDAS or even PANDS. Will Quentin be stuck with a very quick QUCK?! Brilliant for reading out loud and teaching children about vowels and animals. Praise for Oi, Frog! also by Kes Gray and Jim Field: 'An absolute treat.' - Daily Mail. Kes is one of the Independent's TOP TEN children's authors and winner of the Red House Children's Book Award. Jim's first picture book Cats Ahoy! won the Roald Dahl Funny Prize in 2011.
Discussion points
What do you think Quentin felt when he couldn't say his quack properly?
How did the other animals try to help Quentin?
Why is it important to help friends when they have a problem?
What did you learn from the way the animals worked together?
Can you think of a time when you helped someone or someone helped you?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive voices for each character to make the storytelling lively and engage your child's interest.
After reading, ask your child to draw their favorite scene from the book. This can help them express their understanding and recall of the story.
Encourage your child to think about the qualities of a good friend, and discuss how they can be a helpful friend in their own life.
Relate the storyline to your child’s experiences by discussing any difficulties they've faced and how they overcame them with the help of friends or family.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: In 'Quick Quack Quentin', Quentin the duck seeks help from his animal friends to fix his missing 'QUACK'. This illustrates the power of working together to solve a problem.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by collaborating with others at school or in play to achieve common goals and solve challenges.
Example Lesson: Creativity in problem-solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, Quentin and his friends try various humorous combinations of letters to fix Quentin’s quack, demonstrating creative problem-solving.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think outside the box in their daily interactions or when faced with tasks that require inventive solutions.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of setbacks
Explanation: Despite multiple failed attempts to regain his QUACK, Quentin does not give up. His perseverance is a key theme.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of persistence and resilience, even when first attempts do not lead to success.
Example Lesson: Sharing resources
Explanation: Animals in the story offer letters from their own sounds to help Quentin, showing the importance of sharing resources with those in need.
Real-World Application: Children learn the significance of sharing and helping others, which can be practiced by sharing toys, books, or helping siblings and friends with tasks.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: The animals’ willingness to help Quentin with his issue shows empathy and the understanding of another’s distress.
Real-World Application: This can guide children to be more empathetic and considerate towards the feelings and problems of others in real life.