Review by Booklist Review
Ages 3-5. Duck is getting all sorts of strange presents for his birthday. Here he is in the middle of the desert, and Skunk gives him a swimsuit, Raccoon presents him with sunglasses, and his other animal friends bring everything from a beach ball to a scuba mask. The puzzle of the presents is solved when Turtle, bringing up the rear, finally arrives with his gift-an inflatable swimming pool. The friends all take turns blowing it up, and then have loads of fun splashing around under a hot, cloudless sky. Although the story is a bit contrived, its simplicity and good cheer should appeal to young ones. Elevating the text is Brett's brightly colored artwork featuring a menagerie of animals, some of whom are attractively dressed in southwestern-style clothing. A nice package whose mystery element may provoke some sleuthing among story-hour listeners. IC. Ducks-Fiction / Animals-Fiction / Gifts-Fiction / Birthdays-Fiction [CIP] 87-156
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The collaborators who brought us The Mother's Day Mice and Scary, Scary Halloween are in excellent form in this fun, frothy celebration. Duck is a cheery little fellow who lives in the desert. For his birthday, his animal friends give him a swimming suit, a sunhat, a scuba mask and other water gear. Duck is ``pleased as can be'' with his gifts, ``But we're far from a lake and far from the sea/ How can I use what you've given to me?'' Finally his ever-tardy friend Tortoise arrives with his giftan inflatable swimming pooland in no time the friends have blown up the pool and hopped in. Brett's vivid colors and expressive animal characters add charm to the festivities; Bunting's verses are witty and whimsical. Ages 3-6. (April) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-K Those who have come to expect illustrations from Jan Brett that vibrate with color, warmth, and activity will not be disappointed with her efforts in Happy Birthday, Dear Duck. A kind of cumulative tale, Bunting's simple ``mystery'' storyline develops at a leisurely pace that young children will appreciate. As charming friend after friend brings gifts, duck finds himself with a pile of presentsamong them a swimming suit, beach ball, scuba maskfor which he has little use in the desert. What glues the plot pieces together is the final gift (which children will no doubt have gleefully guessed)an inflatable pool. The book is occasionally flawed by awkward rhythm, forced rhymes (``goodness''/``rudeness'' and ``pool''/``grew''), and a general lack of freshness in Bunting's verse. However, the story concept is original, with enough tension and fun to entertain young children quite successfully. Lee Bock, Brown County Public Libraries, Green Bay, Wis. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
