Robert McCloskey (1914–2003)

Mr. and Mrs. Mallard search for the ideal spot in which to raise a family in this delightful picture-book, which won Robert McCloskey the prestigious Caldecott Medal for his illustrations in 1942. Flying over Boston, they alight on the pond in the Public Garden, only to decide that this is not the place for raising babies when they are almost run over by a young bicyclist on one of the park paths. Moving on to a small island in the Charles River, they raise their brood of ducklings, show more intending to return to the Public Garden with them at a later date. But when Mrs. Mallard eventually does begin to escort her ducklings from the river to the park she encounters an unexpected obstacle, in the form of human traffic. How will they get to their destination with so many cars and trucks whizzing by? Fortunately the ducks' friend, Policeman Michael, is nearby, and comes to the natural conclusion: the people of Boston will simply have to make way...

A perennial favorite since the time it was first published, Make Way for Ducklings pairs a charming tale of an anatine family trying to make a home for themselves in a human-dominated landscape, with lovely black and white artwork that perfectly captures their sweet journey of discovery. Although I did not discover McCloskey's classic as a young child - how I wish that I had, as I would have taken its troupe of fluffy little ducklings entirely to heart - I'm glad I finally had a chance to read it, as part of my Caldecott project. The story is sweetly engaging, with an appealing cast of water-fowl - what is it about these ducklings, that they always seem to be in danger?!? - and has a happy ending that will leave young readers feeling content. The artwork, which was well worthy of the accolades it won, provides quite a bit of viewing pleasure, with its depiction of the Mallard family, and of the city of Boston. It's easy to see why this has become such a picture-book classic! show less

A tender story about Sal's morning in Maine. When she wakes up, her first tooth is loose! She has breakfast with her mother and sister, and walks down to the beach to dig clams with her father, where she loses her tooth and can't find it. Sal's father takes his girls across the bay into town where they interact with a mechanic and a grocer before heading home. McCloskey's characters are charming, and Sal is one of the most convincingly depicted young children I've seen in picture books. show more Underneath McCloskey's portrayal of an ordinary day in an ordinary family is an exploration of growing up and of old and new. show less

Mr. and Mrs. Mallard are looking for the perfect place to start a family, and settle on an island in the Charles River in Boston. After hatching 8 eggs, Mrs. Mallard walks her ducklings down the street to Boston Common.

The set-up here really doesn’t hold up. The Mallards reject the river because it has too many turtles (a real threat to eggs and small ducklings), then reject the Commons because there are too many bikes (maybe a threat to ducklings, but not a threat to eggs and much less of show more a threat than cars), then go back to the river to lay eggs, then walk the ducklings through traffic to the Commons (just because Mr. Mallard will meet them there, not for any particular reason). Mallards are known for their poor choice of nesting places, and for walking their ducklings through traffic to get to the water, but trying to insert anthropomorphic logic doesn’t work, and they already lived in the river!

But….it’s just so cute! You can’t help but love the beautiful brown line drawings and the ducklings’ silly names. I hadn’t seen this book in 30 years but every page has been etched in my brain the whole time, and I think of it every time I see a mother duck and ducklings walking down an urban street (which is fairly often, another reason why this book just works.) show less

A tender story about Sal's morning in Maine. When she wakes up, her first tooth is loose! She has breakfast with her mother and sister, and walks down to the beach to dig clams with her father, where she loses her tooth and can't find it. Sal's father takes his girls across the bay into town where they interact with a mechanic and a grocer before heading home. McCloskey's characters are charming, and Sal is one of the most convincingly depicted young children I've seen in picture books. show more Underneath McCloskey's portrayal of an ordinary day in an ordinary family is an exploration of growing up and of old and new. show less