Customer Reviews

Make Way for Ducklings

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What can I say that everyone else hasn't already? This is probably one of the finest children's books ever written. Its illustrations are richly detailed and vivid even in two-tone, and its story is adorable and wholesome. We're FROM Boston and we've recently moved away, and my little boy always thrills to recognize the Boston Gardens he remembers, but set in times past. The story is sneakily very educational, integrating in plain English information about the migration, mating and molting habits of ducks into an engaging and whimsical story about a mother duck taking care of her own. It also teaches about counting, nature observation, social studies (explaining the different jobs of a police officer) and alphabetization (The names of the ducklings will never fail to make your little one giggle.) We've had it for two years, and it remains one of my son's favorite bed time stories. Truly a classic that belongs in any child's library.

A tip of the hat, one and all, to Mr. Robert McCloskey. The father of the delicately shaded picture book, his stories always contain simple plots and a bundle of warmth. "Make Way For Ducklings" (which battles with "Blueberries For Sal" for the title Best-Known-McCloskey-Story) is one of the author's strongest efforts. Bringing elements of rural and urban life together, it not only tells a great tale but remains timeless in its telling.

The story follows Mr. & Mrs. Mallard, a realistically portrayed duck couple. No animals in funny clothes here. The two settle on a small metropolitan island to lay their eggs. Once hatched it's up to Mrs. Mallard and her troop to walk to their new home in the central park with the help of their local police force.

In the sixty some odd years since its publication, "Make Way For Ducklings" has remained exactly the same. The closest it comes to dating itself (aside from the stately cars and "lending library") is that Mr. Mallard abandons his family to fly ahead to the save island. That's one way of looking at it. Another way is to point out that Mrs. Mallard is a capable mother who knows exactly how to lead her small brood. The book is fun, diverting, and illustrated beautifully. It does not pretend to be anything it isn't. It is the classic above all other classics. And it is McCloskey's greatest invention.

This is a nice tale of a family of ducks finding their place in the world. We have the hard back version and the "book on tape" and both of my children like it. Nice to pair with The Trumpet of the Swan as part of this book is also set in Boston.

Make Way For Ducklings
by Robert McCloskey
The Viking Press

Imagine yourself as a mother duck, flying over Boston looking for a place to rest and lay your eggs, but you are very very particular about where you land. Considering that Boston is a busy place, would you want to raise a family there? This is what this story is all about. Make
Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey is a Realistic Fiction and Fantasy book for young and old readers. It takes place in the air when Mr. and Mrs. Mallard are looking for a place to land. Mr. Mallard finds very nice spots but Mrs. Mallard is not satisfied. She says she doesn't want to raise a family  where there might be foxes in the woods or turtles in the pond. They fly on for awhile until they reach Boston. The Mallards are very tired and fly down for the night on a small island near the park. In the morning they hunt for food in the bottom of the river but don't have a lot of luck. Soon their luck turns good when a boat carrying a load of people has the people throw peanuts to them to fill their empty stomachs. Mr. Mallard and Mrs. Mallard decided that they would like to nest there, until a boy riding a bike zips by Mr. Mallard and almost runs him over. Now will the Mallards decide to stay or will they leave forever?

There are 3 main characters (or 11 counting all the ducklings) Mrs. Mallard, Mr. Mallard, their ducklings, and Michael the policeman. Mrs. Mallard is a mother duck, that thinks a lot about  her kids' future, which I think makes a great mother. She is very independent and proud
about things she accomplishes and does. She loves her family and her husband very much and hopes for a pleasant future. She also loves her human friend, Michael, who is loving to the Mallard family. Mr. Mallard is the father duck. He is a loving and caring dad who sometimes gets annoyed with his wife when it comes to finding new nesting ground. Mr. Mallard helps take care of the young with his wife but also likes to venture off to see the surrounding area. Michael, the policeman, is the family friend. Everyday they go and visit him for peanuts. Michael also does great deeds for them by helping them cross the street carefully. He loves his little family friends.

I recommend this book to all readers, because it is a short story and it will not take a long time out of your day to read it. It is a heartwarming book that you can imagine what is happening without looking at the illustrations. The illustrations are so detailed that you can understand the story without actually reading the words. You can actually go to Boston and see statues of Mrs. Mallard and her ducklings walking to the pond at the public garden, which my family and I did this summer. I connected to the story when I saw the big swan boat carrying  people, just as the Mallards saw them, too. I think the boat and statues are cool. Anyone can enjoy this book because it's made for all ages!!  

I am a student at West Virginia State College and taking a Childrens lit. class. Make way for ducklings is a delightful book and i strongly reccommend it to children of all ages. It's nice to read a book like this that is simple and sweet that all children can enjoy.

This is a loving tribute to Robert McCloskey, the author and illustrator of the best loved children's books, 'Make Way for Ducklings,' 'Homer Price' and 'Blueberries for Sal.' McCloskey passed away June 30, 2003 at the age of 88 at his home in Deer Isle near Portland, Maine. His books focused on family experiences, small-town life, his island home in Maine and Boston. Boston was the setting for his 1941 book, 'Make Way for Ducklings.' It's about a father and mother duck who leads their eight ducklings thorugh the busy streets of the big city. McCloskey a native of Hamilton, Ohio went to Boston in 1932 to study art when he watched some ducklings waddling through traffic. The book won a Caldecott Medal for best American children's picture book. There is also a bronze sculpture of the mother duck and her eight ducklings as a popular tourist attraction in Boston. McCloskey and his family spent summers on Scott Island in Maine, where he wrote 'Blueberries for Sal,' 'One Morning in Maine' and 'Time of Wonder.' 'Time of Wonder' won a second Caldecott Medal. McCloskey has left behind a rich legacy of stories that woven around American living and families, like those of E.B. White and A.A. Milne. This is one of the best children's classics I'd recommend to any parent.

Talk about the wonders of your own neighborhood. Robert McCloskey has taken a tale of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard and brought it to Boston, Massachusetts, and within its pages are not only the wonderful illustrations of Boston, but Beacon Hill, the Charles River, and other sites of interest. The story is heart-warming, as it follows the adventures of Mrs. Mallard and her eight little ducklings, as well as the protector of a local Boston police officer - Michael - and where they end up to avoid all the hub of the city will warm your heart as well. The book was originally written in 1949, and of special note are the sketches of the cars of that era, down to their very special particularity. A wonderful book and highly recommended!!!

Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey is probably one of my favorite children's books. I grew up with this in my bookshelf and have not thrown it away since. Made in 1941, renewed in 1969, and then again in 2002, it has still remained a cherished book. That's pretty good for a book made such a long time ago.
The book describes how a mother and father duck look for a safe spot to hatch their ducklings. They fly all around the woods, the pond, Beacon Hill, the State House, Louisburg Square, and finally, finding a nice cozy spot to hatch the eggs, the Public Garden. They make friends with the police man, Michael.
I think the book would be my choice to share with other children because it teaches the concept of making the right choice...such as you wouldn't want to live in a place that's dirty and smoky... for example around Beacon Hill and The State House. Also, they make friends with the Policeman, Michael, and other characters in the book. This book has been a classic for almost 45 years now, and I'm sure it will continue to be one for many years to come.

This story will bring a smile to your face and tears of joy to your heart as you rejoice with this American family!

Dasia says, "This lovely family of ducks is great! I enjoyed the audiocassette so much that my Mom bought the book as a surprise! I love the way Boston looks from the Mallard's view. I want to see it someday."

This is an enjoyable trip (on audio and in print) that every family should take!

This lovely family of ducks is great! I enjoyed the audiocassette so much that my Mom bought the book as a surprise! I love the way Boston looks from the Mallard's view. I want to see it someday.