Swim Swim Sink

PreS-Gr 1–Three tiny eggs crack open to the rhythmic “Quack” of three little ducks. “Three tiny ducks in one straight line. New, happy flock. All feeling fine.” But all is not fine when the ducklings follow their Mama into the water; the last little one sinks (not swims) once…twice…again and again. “All of this sinking is ruining the rhyme.” Not to worry—the determined little one begins a series of experiments to test for duckling flotation through a variety of possibilities: a running start, water wings, enlisting the help of other pond creatures, “state-of-the-art scuba gear,” stilts, and even a rip-roaring, out-of-control Jet Ski. Digital cartoon art reveals the terrified onlookers, while enlarged font and onomatopoeia put readers in the middle of the action through each failed attempt—until Duckling #3 can find a solution with a clever bit of thinking (and still save the rhyme).