 | 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! Rabbit!
- By Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Tom Lichtenheld
- Genre: Picture Book
Common Sense Media says
Simple lines and words, all about seeing things differently.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this book can be enjoyed simply as a playful game about optical illusions and finding shapes in clouds. It also might easily lead into a greater discussion about the different ways people see the same things, and why. And, even more, what should you do when you see things differently from someone else?
What's the story?
Duck? Rabbit? Which is it? The boldly lined drawing could be either. In one moment, given certain evidence, it could be a duck. But, then, looked at a little differently, it could be a rabbit. Two voices, both outside the book somewhere, carry on the debate. And in the end...hmmm...just what do they decide?
Is it any good?
From cover to cover, DUCK! RABBIT! is both cute and fascinating. Older readers will recognize this simplified but appealing version of the classic duck/rabbit optical illusion. Both grown-ups and kids will be drawn in by the dramatically expressive, though simple, text and artwork of this version as two unseen characters debate the age-old question of just what they are looking at...exactly.
Kids will like taking one of the parts, and with repeated readings this book should just be more and more fun. And, each time, the greater lesson, accepting the fact that each of us sees things a little differently, will become more entrenched.
Simple duck/rabbit characters, white with thick black outline, are placed against the bright blue background like clouds against the sky. The ink, watercolor, “and a wee bit of colored pencil” artwork looks quite a bit like that in My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the cover. What do you see first: Duck or Rabbit? Can you see both? What would convince you to change your mind?
As they read the book together, parents and kids might take parts and act out the debate.
They can talk about how to disagree without being angry and how to argue with someone and still remain friends.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
| Authors: | Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Tom Lichtenheld |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Picture Book |
| Publisher: | Chronicle Books |
| Publication date: | March 11, 2009 |
| Number of pages: | 40 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 4 - 8 |
| Read aloud: | 3 |
| Read alone: | 6 |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already read it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
