Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Farmer Duck
Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury
Picture Book
For ages 4 to 6
Candlewick, 1996 ISBN: 978-1564025968
On a farm, that could be just about anywhere, there is a duck who has a truly dreadful life. This poor animal has to work all day, taking care of the entire farm by itself while the farmer lies in bed all day. All day long the farmer yells out “How goes the work?” and all day long the duck answers “Quack!” It is hard to imagine an animal more taken advantage of than this duck. Luckily the other animals living on the farm decide that enough is enough and they take matters into their own hands, or rather into their own hooves and claws. Their love of the duck drives them to do what they can to help.
Helen Oxenbury manages with some of her artist’s magic to give the poor duck just the right droop in its shoulders so we know just how tired and fed up it is. Oxenbury gives each of the animals a character without making it either cute, or humanlike. The animals are still very animal-like, and at the same time, they have thoughts and opinions of their own. With a “Moo!” a “Baa!” and a “Cluck!” this is a book that will be read over and over again.
