 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Duck for President
- By Doreen Cronin
- Genre: Picture Book
Common Sense Media says
Easy, funny intro to politics for your brood.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Duck is proactive when he doesn't like the way things are run in the barnyard -- instead of complaining, he runs for office.
What's the story?
As the bumper sticker says, "we have to be the change if we want a say," and Duck takes this to heart when he gets fed up with the same old routine in the farmyard. Rather than staging a coup d'etat, going on strike, or otherwise halting production, Duck gets to work campaigning, sure that he can do a better job than Farmer Brown. This decision sets him on the road to a true political career with unexpected results.
Is it any good?
Like all the books in the Farmer Brown series, this one is pretty funny even if some of the jokes will go over kids' heads. That's all right because they'll enjoy the story even as the grown-ups are smirking as they read it aloud.
As it turns out, Duck will remind readers of other politicians they might know (right down to heading to the late-night talk shows for better exposure). The illustrations are a good match for the funny, quick-moving text, making this a strong addition to the Farmer Brown series, and a timely one at that. Kids too young to really get into the political process can easily grasp the big picture in barnyard terms.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the way Duck set about trying to create change. Was it an effective way? How did he bring the other animals together for his cause? Do you think this is the way political campaigns are run outside the barnyard as well?
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| Author: | Doreen Cronin |
| Illustrator: | Betsy Lewin |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Picture Book |
| Publisher: | Simon & Schuster |
| Publication date: | March 2, 2008 |
| Number of pages: | 40 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 4 - 7 |
| Read aloud: | 4 |
| Read alone: | 8 |
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