Fleming (Maggie and Michael Get Dressed) infuses a well-loved nursery song with the vivid hues of her signature pulp-painting illustrations in this joyful interpretation. The five tiny members of a mallard family waddle away from Papa Duck on Monday, headed "through the woods and far away," but only four return when Papa calls them home with a "Quack, quack, quack!" The pattern repeats as the week rolls on, and also through a series of outdoor scenes--"past the paddock," "across the fields," and "down the road"--giving a strong sense of the ducks' rural environs. By Saturday, the family is reunited, and on Sunday everyone follows Mama Duck's advice: "Today is the day we all rest!" In addition to incorporating the days of the week into this adaptation, Fleming introduces farm and woodland animals (flying squirrels, wild turkeys, pigs, and more), further expanding the ducks' world and readers' experience. A closing section identifies these animals, as well as a girl named Anna, who splashes around with one duck in her wading pool on Friday. A fresh rendition of a favorite. Up to age 8.--Publishers Weekly "September 19, 2016"
Papa Duck and his five little ducklings go out to play on Monday, marching "through the woods and far
away," until one goes missing. Tuesday through Friday additional ducklings disappear, despite Papa's
persistent quacking for their return. Luckily, on Saturday they all return safe and sound. On Sunday all are
ready to go again, until Mama Duck insists that everyone take a day to rest. Fleming's version of this
familiar finger play features her signature pulp-painting artwork, hued predominantly in blues and greens
that contrast nicely with the mallards' brown bodies. The illustrations become an alternate narrative of
sorts, detailing the other creatures the birds encounter, and suggesting the sources of the fledglings'
distractions. A final spread offers additional information about mallards and the other key characters
(frogs, flying squirrels, wild turkeys, box turtles, pigs, and a young child) and identifies the other depicted
animals. This is a natural fit for toddler story hours or one-on-one sharing; the inclusion of a male primary
caregiver is an added bonus. -- Kay Weisman--Booklist "October 15, 2016"
