It's a Gift!

PreS—While the illustrations here are fun, appealing, and complementary of the well-written text, translated from the original Spanish with fluidity and rich language, the story itself has weaknesses and logical inconsistencies. The plot centers on a young duck who gives up his nest, sandwich, swimming pool, and feather to fulfill the needs of four friends. Several logical questions may arise. Is Little Duck's water that Bear drinks a pond, a pool, or a river? It looks like a pond but is described as a pool, and elsewhere in the text, Little Duck looks to the "river bank" from the water where he is swimming. Would a bear really drink an entire pool (or pond or river) in one sitting? Is losing a single feather such a traumatic loss that it would cause Little Duck's to break down into tears? At first, Little Duck's gift-giving seems tender and sweet, but when his wailing, "I haven't got anything!" sends other friends to his rescue with a tub of water and food, it seems an odd message or lesson for young listeners. Would Little Duck's tale really encourage kids to share without expecting anything in return as suggested on the back cover? With the way the plot unfolds, it seems doubtful. Still, some might find the story endearing, and the illustrations have a definite charm.—Maralita L. Freeny, District of Columbia Public Library