Guji Guji

This book is exactly like a few other stories. My favorite one is Lambert the Sheepish Lion. It's simple and juvenile, but I love the whole confused predator standing up against its own kind in defense of the family that should really be its prey. These stories are all a lot of fun. ( )

Originally published in Chih-Yuan Chen's native Taiwan, and inspired by the life-story of one of the author/artist's American friends, who was ethnically Korean, but adopted by a non-Korean family, Guji Guji follows the adventures of a young "crocoduck," as he finds his rightful place in the world, and in his adopted community. When a crocodile egg tumbles into a mother duck's nest one day, she is too busy reading to notice. When that egg hatches out into a creature most unlike her other offspring, she accepts the situation with aplomb. Although different, in both appearance and abilities, from his siblings, Guji Guji never questions his place in his adoptive family - until, that is, three grinning adult crocodiles happen upon him and try to convince him that he belongs with them, and that he should lure his duck family into a trap. Suddenly, Guji Guji is confronted with the issue of identity, and with the problem of safe-guarding his anatine family...

Although I found the artwork here adorable, and believe the author's motivations, in telling this story, are admirable - Chen writes, in a statement on the rear dust-jacket flap, that "It is my hope that children from all over the world can learn to accept different people and things, and see the world with broader views and minds" - I find the storyline somewhat problematic. I don't believe that it was intentional at all, and I don't think it necessarily has to be interpreted in this way, but I could see a child reader, particularly if adopted across national, ethnic or racial lines, taking away the message that their identity of origin was somehow dangerous or undesirable: something to be abandoned. On the other hand, I could also see coming away with the message that family is defined more by love, than by "blood," so take that as you will.

The illustrations, as mentioned above, are lovely: immensely appealing, cute without being saccharine, and possessing an overall color scheme (fairly dark, in the image with the three crocodiles, lighter in those involving Guji Guji's family) that varies according to the mood of each scene. This is a book that might be very helpful for adopted children, but given the range of interpretations possible, I recommend that their parents and/or adult care-givers read it over first, to make sure it is suitable for their specific circumstances. ( )

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Mother Duck was reading and didn’t notice that a big brown egg had rolled into her nest with her small white eggs. When the eggs hatched the first three were ordinary ducklings, but the baby from the brown egg was rather odd looking. This duckling had a long snout, four legs, and teeth; in fact, he looked rather like a crocodile. Mother Duck named him Guji Guji and loved him just as much as her other ducklings. Guji Guji was very happy until the day the three bad crocodiles came out of the lake. They laughed at him for acting like a duck and pointed out all his crocodile-like features. Then they asked Guji Guji to help his fellow crocodiles out by bringing the entire duck flock to the bridge the next day for diving practice. Is Guji Guji able to think of a plan to save his friends from becoming crocodile dinner?

Named an American Library Association Notable Book, Guji Guji was originally published in Taiwanese. The text, skillfully translated into English, includes both dialogue and narration that moves the story along at a brisk pace. The illustrations use a muted color palate of browns and blues with highlights of primary colors. Chen’s crocodiles are especially unique, with blue-grey bodies and deep blue noses. Guji Guji is an endearing mix of duck and crocodile, or “crocoduck” as Mother Duck calls him. He walks with his snout up like a duck, his round tummy waddling along.

Full Review at Picture-Book-a-Day: http://picturebookaday.blogspot.com/2012/05/book-127-guji-guji-by-chih-yuan-chen...

(easy, multicultural) Guji Guji was born a crocoduck. A crocoduck?!? That is what you would call a crocodile that was hatched by a mama duck and to whom ultimately you would call your family despite the obvious truths. Guji Guji is waddling along with his duck family one day when three nasty crocodiles spy him and set him straight as to what his true nature is. The nasty crocs want him to trick his family of fat yummy ducks to dive off of a bridge with him where his true family will wait...to snap those fat yummy ducks right up! Guji Guji struggles to decide what true family is and who he is and ultimately follows the decision in his heart. Adorable illustrations in this book. One can't help but love little Guji Guji in his integrity and loyalty. A good book to use if discussing being true to one's own self, peer pressure, etc... ( )