Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

McCloskey, Robert. Make Way for Ducklings. New York: The Vikings Press, 1941. ISBN 0-670-45149-5


2. PLOT SUMMARY

The story begins with Mr. and Mrs. Mallard looking for a new home for their family. It seemed like Mrs. Mallard would never be happy with any place Mr. Mallard found until they found Public Garden. Public Garden would have been perfect for them to raise a family if it wasn't so busy. Fearing for the safety of the young, they found a place much farther away to lay their eggs. After the ducklings were born, Mr. Mallard went to Public Garden. When the ducklings were old enough to travel, Mrs. Mallard walked the ducklings to Public Garden with the help of the local police. The Mallard family found their new home to raise the ducklings and stayed in Public Gardens to eat endless peanuts.


3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The Mallard parents are willing to sacrifice for the sake of their family. The mother shows her strength by staying with the children until they were ready to go. I believe that this is a plot device that ages the story. Almost seventy years after this was written, I see it strange that the father simply leaves his family behind to get to their new home without him. The caring feathery parents show the audience the strength of the mother's love for her children.

I enjoy that the story shows the same fears that parents have while protecting their kids has not changed over time. Parent's still want to raise their children in the best possible environment. 

Although the story is lack luster compared to many of the modern picture books, the illustrations are what make this book a true classic. The only colors are shades of brown. The sepia tones give the book a sense of age and make me feel like I can see through time. The art is precise and reminds me of WWII cartoon art. The art is detailed down to the individual feathers on the duck's wings. 

The book is a bit longer than what is considered average in today's standards. The book can only be appreciated if you take the time to look carefully at the detail in the sepia artwork.


4. REVIEW EXCERPTS

1942 Calcecott Medal Winner

#6 of 100 Best Picture Books according to School Library Journal

From Horn Book: "Robert McCloskey's unusual and stunning pictures have long been a delight for their fun as well as their spirit of place."

Heather Christensen: "McCloskey’s attention to detail and marvelous storytelling are a magical combination."


5. CONNECTIONS

Other Caldecott Medal Winners:
1943 The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton ISBN 9780547131047
1944 Many Moons Illustrated by Louis Slobodkin; text: James Thurber ISBN 9780590322720
1949 The Big Snow by Berta & Elmer Hader ISBN 9780689717574

Other Books by Robert McCloskey:
Blueberries for Sal ISBN 9780616017159
One Morning in Maine ISBN 9780606042475
Homer Price ISBN 9781581181234
Time of Wonder ISBN 9780758700797

Lesson Plans: 

Bright Hub Education offers the most comprehensive lesson plan for the book. They concentrate on the history and awards of the book. I enjoy playing different games with my students and the game sounds fun. Find it here: Caldecott Classic Lesson

Scholastic offers a great art lesson for pre-k and kindergarten students. Find it here: Art Lesson

Teacher Vision offers four enrichment activities to do after reading the book aloud. Find them here: Literature Guide