Parents' Guide to In the Rain With Baby Duck

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Common Sense Media Review

By Jennifer Gennari , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 2+

This is a solid beginning reader.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 2+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

What's the Story?

Wet feet, wet face, and mud make Baby Duck grumpy. Ducks are supposed to like the rain, but not Baby Duck. Her parents' relentless efforts to cheer her up will not do. It's Grandpa's kindness and the new boots and umbrella that do the job in this solid story.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

Every kid will recognize how Baby Duck is feeling about the rain. Amy Hest has captured the dynamics of family relationships well, making this a satisfying read for grown-ups, too. Baby's song is mistaken for a happy one by her parents. The parents' vain attempts to smooth over Baby's unhappiness will have adults smiling to themselves.

This is a solid beginning reader. Amy Hest weaves in and repeats some words preschoolers may not know, such as dawdle and dally. When children see how Baby Duck drags, they understand the meaning, and they learn what it means to shimmy and waddle. The oversize format, and bright illustrations by Jill Barton, complement Hest's narrative. Children like the red bunny boots and matching umbrella, and they can tell how grumpy Baby Duck is by her expression as she lifts her feet out of the mud.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about making an unhappy situation better. How do the boots and umbrella help Baby Duck? What do you do to make rain or snow more fun?

Book Details

  • Author : Amy Hest
  • Illustrator : Jill Barton
  • Genre : Picture Book
  • Book type : Fiction
  • Publisher : Candlewick Press
  • Publication date : January 1, 1995
  • Publisher's recommended age(s) : 2 - 4
  • Number of pages : 32
  • Last updated : July 12, 2017

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