Ready or Not, Dawdle Duckling

By Toni Buzzeo

Mama Duck is playing hide-and-seek with her ducklings. As fast as you can say one, two, three, they find hiding spots. Except for Dawdle Duckling, that is. He takes his time . . . and gets some help from his friends. Turtle, Frog, and Fish all suggest that he hide behind them. But they're much smaller than Dawdle Duckling. And Mama Duck is about to come looking. How can our hero win the game? Ollie, ollie, in free This is a happy, funny tale of friendship, cooperation, and the joy of play-a terrific companion to "Dawdle Duckling, " which "Kirkus Reviews" called "just right for the preschool set" and "Publishers Weekly" dubbed "immensely satisfying."

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0803729596
• ISBN13: 9780803729599
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Dial
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.82 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.4" x 0.4" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 4 years and up
• Grade Range: Preschool and higher

Customer Reviews

Ollie ollie in free!

On the beach with the sand castles sparkling, four happy ducklings play hide-and-seek with Mama Duck. That is, three ducklings hide; Dawdle Duckling doesn't quite get it. Anyone who has played peekaboo with a baby knows that covering your eyes makes you invisible. Right? Such is Dawdle's technique, and members of the read-to-me crowd will giggle to see Dawdle's bright yellow rump rising above the sand or his flat orange feet flapping from the water when he thinks he is hiding. But happy little Dawdle is undismayed by how easily Mama finds him. He's busy exploring the pond and meeting new friends. Soon a turtle, a frog, and a goldfish join the game. Together, they help Dawdle turn the tables on Mama in an ending that surprises and satisfies. Gentle, rhythmic text has just the right amount of repetition to tickle a young child's ear. Brightly colored, uncluttered artwork invites readers to enter into the fun. Sharing this cheerful book before a family outing to the park or lake might just inspire children and their favorite grownups to try a playful game of hide-and-seek themselves. Ollie ollie in free!

"It's good to have friends."

That's the message my daughter came away with after reading this book. Dawdle Duckling wants to play hide-and-seek with his mom and siblings, but he keeps getting distracted by his friends (a turtle, a frog, and a fish) who offer to help. In the end, all three friends work together to help Dawdle find the best hiding place of all. My daughter loves the excitement and familiarity of the game, as well as the friendly characters (especially that puffed-up frog!). A real winner for reading aloud.

Charming!

Toni Buzzeo and Margaret Spengler have done it again! This companion to DAWDLE DUCKLING shares another afternoon with our friend Dawdle Duckling. Young children will love this lyrical romp with Dawdle, his siblings, mother, and helpful friends. My not-so-young children love the puffed-up bullfrog. My favorite touch is Dawdle's hat, with its flipped up brim providing the perfect air of insouciance to match Dawdle's dawdling ways.

Where is Dawdle Now??

What a fun romp, looking for our favorite Dawdle Ducking. He's trying to hide from Mama Duck. He finds friends - a turtle, a frog, a fish - to help him. "Ollie, ollie, in free;" Mama says, but will she ever find Dawdle? Young children (and their readers) will love this hide-and-seek tale, the pictures, the language, and the little ducky hats, as Dawdle tries to hide from Mama.