Stuck on Ducks
June 2018 Santa Cruz Book Recomendations
By Michelle Spence
I’m a Duck
Written by Eve Bunting, Illustrated by Will Hillenbrand
Practice makes perfect in this new rhyming tale of a young duck that is afraid of the water. “I cannot swim, and that is bad. A landlocked duck is very sad.” And yet, despite all the fears, trepidation, and unsolicited advice, this duckling finds just the right combination of preparation and confidence to take the plunge.
![](https://growingupsc.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Screen-Shot-2018-05-28-at-11.35.11-AM-min.jpg)
The Other Ducks
Written by Ellen Yeomans, Illustrated by Chris Sheban
In another new duck-centric picture book, This Duck and That Duck are trying to make sense of their Big Puddle and the ever-changing world around them. From learning to swim and then fly, to migrating south for the winter, these two duck friends waddle their way through by paying attention to others that are “Like us, only not us.” A kindhearted ode to figuring things out.
![](https://growingupsc.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Screen-Shot-2018-05-28-at-11.36.44-AM-min.jpg)
Gossie: A Gosling on the Go!
By Olivier Dunrea
In this first gosling tale of lost-and-found rainboots, we meet Gossie, who shows us her keen sense of adventure along with a stick-to-it-ive-ness that is admirable—all the more admirable, I think, when we see her creative resolution to the dilemma presented by her best friend Gertie. Olivier Dunrea has authored and charmingly illustrated a whole collection of gosling tales, featuring more than ten unique goslings, each working out their own slice of life. Available as board books, picture books, and early readers, Dunrea’s engaging cast of characters keeps us guessing in the sweetest possible way.
![](https://growingupsc.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Screen-Shot-2018-05-28-at-11.28.00-AM-min.png)
Goose and Duck
Written by Jean Craighead George, Illustrated by Priscilla Lamont
In this early chapter book, Jean Craighead George tells a familiar mothering story that begins when the goose and duck eggs hatch and ends with letting go. Or maybe I am just projecting my own lessons as our youngest heads off to college? Nevertheless, with repetitive phrasing and an engaging arc, this story will be a satisfying tale for developing readers and the moms and dads reading along.
![](https://growingupsc.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Screen-Shot-2018-05-28-at-11.48.25-AM-min.jpg)
Michelle Spence is a children’s bookseller at Bookshop Santa Cruz. Her favorite books are the ones her kids can quote by heart.
![](https://growingupsc.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/people-2585733_1920-75x75.jpg)
![](https://growingupsc.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/DEE_8348-75x75.jpeg)
You May Also Like
![](https://growingupsc.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Screen-Shot-2018-08-12-at-11.13.54-AM-min-500x330.png)
At Cabrillo, Special Needs Become Assets
May 28, 2018![](https://growingupsc.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/people-2585733_1920-500x330.jpg)
Ask Nicole: Dads, Your Presence Matters
May 28, 2018![](https://growingupsc.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/DEE_8348-500x330.jpeg)