Keep Up Duck cover

KEEP UP, DUCK!
By: Ivan and Rachel Bates
Published: March 19, 2024
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Fiction

Little Puck is often found at the back of all the little ducks. Little Puck keeps falling behind and Mama Duck quacks, “Keep up, Duck!”. As the ducks come up to the part of the lake where people pedal with their boats, Little Puck gets distracted watching them and falls even farther behind.

Keep Up Duck Page Spread

Kids will have fun saying all the water sounds in the story and can “Hop” along with Little Puck as he has an idea for how to catch up with his family. Puck is back to swimming along with his family until they come alongside the path with scooters, skaters, and bikes. Little Puck gets busy watching the kids and falls behind again. Will he be able to catch up?

Little Puck teaches kids how to problem-solve while reminding them that it’s important to stay together with your group or family. Little Puck is very clever and kids will root for him to catch up with his family. Even though he isn’t the fastest in his family, he is the most determined.

The author wrote this story with his late wife after they watched a mother duck and her ducklings during a springtime walk along the river. While reading this story, I thought of a duck family that my family watched in a pond this spring. We were all worried about one of the little ducks who became separated from its family. I have to believe that little duck found a clever way to get back with its family again too.

For all the pokey kids out there who are gazing at the scenery or too busy watching other kids, this book is for you.

Ivan Bates has illustrated many books for children, including ThereThere and Just You and Me by Sam McBratney, Do Like a Duck Does! by Judy Hindley, and Grandma Elephant’s in Charge! by Martin Jenkins. This is a special collaboration with his late wife, Rachel Bates. Ivan Bates lives in Norfolk, England.

To purchase a copy of KEEP UP, DUCK, click HERE.


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Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to make a purchase through the above links, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase.

Check out my review policy, HERE.

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