Duck for President ~You can Put Lipstick on a Duck, but he still Quacks!
Written: Aug 29 '08 (Updated Sep 25 '08)
Product Rating:
Pros: Hitting the Campaign Trail with a Fowl is Fair Play
Cons: None ~ except that Duck seems like a good candidate in most respects?
The Bottom Line: Duck for President works as a children's book on several levels. You'll love the slightly satirical humor and charming illustrations ~ perfect for election time!
jenniferkateab's Full Review: Doreen Cronin - Duck for President
Duck for President is a darling book with a timeless story... at least, one that every American man, woman and child can relate to every four years. This year, as our election cycle nears its pinnacle this November, even kids are getting involved in the decision. What better way to poke fun at the foibles of politicians than to read Duck for President with your children?
Plot: Duck begins his political life running for the top position in the farm ~ he envies Farmer Brown's job because he thinks Farmer Brown has it easy running the farm, and besides, it's a lot more fun than taking out the trash (Duck's job). Duck puts up a few campaign signs and registers the animals to vote and, surprise ~ Duck is elected! But, after getting just as dirty running the farm as before, he sets his goals higher -- first for governor, (which he wins by a nose) and finally for President.
Along the way, Duck does many of the things you'd see most politicians doing on the campaign trail. He kisses babies, eats at diners and marches in parades. He even plays the saxophone on a TV show -- does that remind you of another presidential candidate in the not too distant past?
In the end, the vote tally for President is really, really close. So close, a recount is called for (again, note the similarities with recent events in the American electorate). Since I'm no spoiler, I'll let you read this innovative picture book for yourself to find out what happens and who triumphs into the Oval Office.
Analysis: Duck for President is truly a parable on several levels. On one hand, it pokes a little fun at the President's expense ~ after all, running for political office against a duck can be challenging, especially when the fowl can boast that he's no Washington insider! Secondly, the events in Duck For President parallel real events in American history, which parents can chuckle at and kids will simply find amusing. As an adult, I can see the irony in each of Duck's campaigns ~ he keeps looking for a better job, one which will be cleaner, easier and more fun, but each time he's elected to office, he realizes the headaches and grit simply multiply in scale. How many politicians seek office for its glory, only to find themselves miserable instead? (A rhetorical question, I really don't know the answer to that one). But, I do know that in our own lives, we often seek "the perfect job" and get it, only to find out it wasn't so perfect after all.
Illustrations: Betsy Lewin, the Illustrator, is a Caldecott Honoree. This distinction tells you that she's got a lot of talent, and her colorful drawings of animals, townsfolk and politicians will not disappoint even the most jaded politician! Lewin uses watercolor to make her illustrations bold and multi-tonal. One of my favorite pictures is Farmer Brown finding Duck's campaign sign posted to the barn door: "Vote Duck! For a Kinder, Gentler Farm." Now, does that slogan sound a tad familiar?
Final Opinion: Doreen Cronin has written a delightful tale that charms readers on several levels. I vote "YES" to reading this book with your children. I've read this book aloud several times to my kids' classes during parent story hour, and the kids always awarded it their thumbs up seal of approval. If you're familiar with "Click Clack Moo", one of Cronin's other farm animal fables, you'll find Duck for President funny in a similarly charming, but slightly irreverent manner.
===================================== Duck for President Author: Doreen Cronin Illustrator: Betsy Lewin Reading level: Ages 4-8 Hardcover: 40 pages Publisher: Atheneum (January 1, 2008) (original copyright date is 2004) ISBN-10: 1416958002 ISBN-13: 978-1416958000 Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.1 x 0.5 inches keywords: duck for president, children's, book, review, opinion, fun, doreen, cronin, epinions ====================================
The Barnes & Noble Review The talented team who brought you the Caldecott Honor winner Click, Clack, Moo turn their sights on politics in this knee-sl...More at Barnes & Noble.com
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