What's a cold little duck to do when she races the spring thaw to her home pond and wins? She could shiver, slip, slide, and shake -- or think lovely, warm thoughts until nature comes through and brings the pond splashing and quacking to life once again. Lisa Westberg Peters and Sam Williams are inspired harbingers of spring in this irresistible story that's also an unrivaled read-aloud featuring enchanting rhyme and repetition and absolutely winsome illustrations of the cold (but brave!) little duck.

Children's Pick of the Lists 2000(ABA)

2001 Notable Children's Books (ALA)

Amazon.com Review
When a cold little duck returns to her pond too early one "miserable and frozen spring," she receives an unpleasant surprise: her feet freeze to the ice ("stuck stuck stuck"). She tucks her head under her wing and begins to think warm thoughts of spring: "wiggly worms and shiny beetles" ("black black black") and "blades of grass in squishy mud" ("snack snack snack"). Her quiet and creative patience pays off, and before she knows it, spring has truly arrived, along with a group of ducks who touch down on the little pond beside the not-so-cold little duck.

The power of dreams and positive thinking is born out in this charming story of a duck that won't give up. Young readers will dream along with the feisty little duck, and rejoice when the ice cracks and she can wiggle her tail, waggle her wings, and kick kick kick her feet. Sam Williams's soft little duck and her pleasant reveries will linger in the reader's mind, as will the big, bold, rhyming text of Lisa Westberg Peters. (Baby to preschool) --Emilie Coulter

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 4 reviews)

son was never interested in this book

We've tried this book several times with our son who is now almost 2yo, and he's always passed it up for other stories instead. The illustrations are cute but in less of a vibrant, cartoony style, which seemed to be what our son gravitated towards.
April 22, 2008

This book is a winner!

I'm a speech pathologist who does home based early intervention as well as a mom to a 4 year old and a 6month old. This is a great book for the preschool set. It's catchy, not too full of text, and yet not too simple. It's a great introduction to a storybook as it holds the interest of even younger kids (even language delayed 18 month olds!). It also lends itself naturally to repetition of the words bcause of the way it's set up. It's also a great change from what can be the soulless world of board books. If you have young children, they will love this book- I haven't yet come across one who doesn't.
August 06, 2005

Board Book Charmer -- Best in our library

I suddenly find myself with a growing collection of board books, thanks to my one-year-old. Boynton titles galore, the well-recommended "standards." But we received this little gem as a gift from Gramma, who lives in New Zealand and sent it across the Pacific as a Christmas gift. Not only does it hold my daughter's attention extremely well -- both verse and pictures -- but I find it to be among the more enchanting, original stories in our library. Not only would I recommend it to parents who are reading board books to their own kids, but it's a great option for a gift-giver if you're looking for a title that your young recipient isn't likely to have already.
May 25, 2005

Your children will love this fun little story

This book tells of a little duck who ventures out before springhas fully arrived and finds that it's a cold, cold world. Eventually,spring breaks, and the little duck goes on her merry way. This storyhas many accompanying motions that your children can act out as you read the story. Also, the words are very large and in bold print, making it easy for young children to read it. A great addition to your child's library!
April 20, 2000

SIMILAR PRODUCTS

Blueberries for Sal (Picture Puffins)
by Robert McCloskey

Sheep in a Jeep
by Nancy E. Shaw
by Margot Apple

Make Way for Ducklings (Viking Kestrel Picture Books)
by Robert McCloskey

Time for Bed
by Mem Fox
by Jane Dyer

Red Rubber Boot Day
by Mary Lyn Ray
by Lauren Stringer