Keep Up, Duck!
A timeless and cute new classic about a crafty little duckling, perfect for springtime reading for 3, 4, 5, 6 year olds
Age 3+
Picture Storybooks
A sweet, joyful and charmingly funny springtime picture book celebrating the determination of a little duckling who finds inventive ways to keep up with his family.
“Perfect for reading aloud. Humorous and charming.” The Horn Book
“This winning tale champions creative problem-solving.” Publishers Weekly
“For preschoolers and kindergartners, this book has the perfect pace, the right amount of suspense, and a satisfying outcome. Delightful.” School Library Journal
“Rhythmically paced and richly illustrated. The combination of fun sound effects and sweet visuals will keep readers entertained. Lighthearted, onomatopoetic fare.” Kirkus Reviews
Mamma Duck and her ducklings are paddling to the pond. But the littlest duck, Puck, keeps falling behind… “Keep up, Duck!” his mama quacks. But Puck is determined. Even if he can’t swim very fast, he WILL find a way to keep up!
The youngest of readers will soon be joining in with Mamma Duck’s irresistible refrain in this bouncy picture book from the illustrator of children’s favourite, Do Like a Duck Does!
Creators
Ivan Bates studied at Manchester Polytechnic and debuted as an illustrator with his art for Sam McBratney’s The Dark at the Top of the Stairs. His other titles include Just You and Me, In Crack Willow Wood and Just One!, all written by Sam McBratney, as well as Do Like a Duck Does!, written by Judy Hindley. He was shortlisted for an East Anglian Book Award with his most recent title, The Hide-and-Scare-Bear. Keep Up, Duck! is a special collaboration with his late wife, Rachel Bates.
Reviews
Sweet watercolor and colored pencil artwork accompanies rhythmically paced prose from Ivan Bates and the late Rachel Bates. Richly illustrated spreads set the scene. . . the combination of fun sound effects and sweet visuals will keep readers entertained—especially those lucky enough to hear this tale read aloud. Lighthearted, onomatopoetic fare.
Kirkus Reviews
This winning tale from Ivan Bates and late author Rachel Bates follows Puck, the littlest of Mamma Duck’s fuzzy yellow ducklings, who struggles to keep up with the rest of the brood as they head for the lily pond. . . . Plentiful sound words enhance the panel artwork’s fizzy action as the collaborators champion creative problem-solving throughout a contemporary story in which the duckling makes his own way.
Publishers Weekly
For preschoolers and kindergartners, this book has the perfect pace, the right amount of suspense, and a satisfying, turnabout-is-fair-play outcome. The text is sparse and full of sound words, with delightful illustrations that convey all the action. . . Story hours will be noisy when children chime in on the last “Keep up!” and they’ll be in for rereadings, too.
School Library Journal
The text has a gentle rhythm and uses a lot of onomatopoeia (“Whizz! and Whirr! went all the wheels. Whizz! Whizz! Whirr! Whoooo!”), perfect for reading aloud. The watercolor and colored pencil illustrations make beautiful use of delicate lines, subtle textures, and pastel colors. . . Humorous and charming.
The Horn Book
