Angus and the Ducks (1930)

Originally published in 1930, Angus and the Ducks is the first of several picture-books devoted to the doings of its eponymous canine hero, an energetic, curious Scottish terrier puppy, and is a sheer delight to read. The simple text follows Angus as he slips out one day - the door between INDOORS and OUTDOORS being accidentally left open - and sets out to investigate the odd quacking sounds coming from the other side of the green hedge surrounding his yard. His encounter with the ducks on the other side doesn't go quite as expected - never get between a duck and its water trough! - and Angus is routed by his anatine foes, and suitably chastened. For the time being, that is...

An amusing tale, one which captures the delightful joie-de-vivre, the boundless enthusiasm of puppies - their eagerness to explore, their keen appreciation of any and all objects as possible chewing toys, their yappy (in Angus' case) communication style - Angus and the Ducks has both narrative and artistic charm. I echo the reviewer who has praised the typographical choices made with this one, as the judicious use of capitalization really adds emphasis, and the layout of the text itself works flawlessly with the images. The artwork is simply charming, alternating between full-color illustrations, and black-and-white spreads, and perfectly captures Angus' antics. All in all, a sweet little book, ideally suited for young dog lovers! I can't wait to read the subsequent two Angus titles, Angus and the Cat and Angus Lost! ( )

A delightful 'old' story for young children and those who enjoy picture books. Angus is a Scottish terrier who discovers the ducks who live next door. Very enjoyable story from the 1930's. ( )

Flack, Marjorie. (1997). Angus and the ducks. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR).
Angus, a young Scottish Terrier, is very curious about the world around him. He decides to run out the front door one day and explore the other side of the hedge. What he encounters sends him back into the house where he hides and decides NOT to be curious for a while. Watercolors make the pictures simple, yet rich with details. This book on CD-rom was read aloud with musical effects and sounds. The background piano notes add to the drama of his adventures outside. The CD-rom offered two ways to listen- one with page signals and one without. This cute story is suitable to young children (up to age 6) who will love the sounds of the ducks.

cute ( )

such a cute portrayal of curiosity, a dog wanting to know what is making the sounds over the hedge. he discovers its ducks who then surprise him and scare him back into the comfort of his owner's house. good discussion about bravery, and comfort