Daniel's Duck (I Can Read Level 3)

Bravo. Sweet, but not sappy, and believable. There should be more leveled readers like this, full-fledged stories that are also historical fiction, or family fiction... there are a lot of friendship series (probably emulating Frog & Toad) and most are great, but beginning readers need variety, too.

Tackles a familiar scenario of childhood embarrassment, of artistic individuality, with humor and warmth. A good early reader, with many readable words. My kindergarten child read and enjoyed this, with some help, in two sittings.

A very nice book about a little boy’s carved duck, particularly for children learning handicrafts or who struggle comparing themselves to others.

This book would be great in a 1nd-4th grade classroom. It is a story with simple sentences and a simple words. It is about a boy who lives in the south and idolizes a man in the village who is a wonderful wood-carver. Daniel tries his hand at carving and ends up trying to sell his piece at the fair. Since the duck was Daniels first try at wood-carving he is very self conscience and when the crowd begins laughing Daniel is sure is is because they don't like his duck. Daniel finds himself by the river with an old man who turn out to be the wood-carver he wishes to be. The old man asks to buy Daniels duck which restores all of the boys doubt. This story could be used in a classroom to:
-think about older traditions like wood-carving
-talk show more about feelings and expectations
-think about different areas of the country and how things are different
-examine the beautiful illustration
-learn new vocabulary words show less

Daniel is hurt when others laugh at his wood carving, until he learns that giving people pleasure takes a very special gift.‘Good, warm feelings result from reading this gentle tale set in rural Tennessee during pioneer days.' 'CS. ‘A lovely book on all counts.' 'NYT.

4 copies

week 28