Make Way for Ducklings
written and illustrated by Robert McCloskey
Robert
McCloskey (1914-2003) wrote and illustrated 8 books and illustrated 10
books for other authors. McCloskey won two Caldecott Medals: one for Make Way for Ducklings (1941) and the second for Time of Wonder (1957). Before writing Make Way for Duckings he bought and lived with live ducks in a studio apartment, where he watched and drew them in every position.
Make Way for Ducklings won a Caldecott Medal in 1941 as "The most distinguished American picture book for children." The warm story follows ducks through Boston, where a mother and father duck look for the best place to raise their ducklings. After the babies are hatched, mother and babies travel through the city into busy streets to meet father duck at the Public Garden. 
The charcoal illustrations accompanying the text are beautifully done. McCloskey's attention to detail, from cars to buildings to people's clothing, makes each page a piece of art. McCloskey uses personification to allow the ducks to think and speak their ideas to one another throughout the story, a commonly used strategy for this age group (3-8). 
- Kirkus Review, 1941: "An enchanting and very original book."
- The New York Times, 1941: "This brilliantly illustrated, amusingly observed tale of Mallards on the move as won the hearts of generations of readers... one of the merriest picture-books ever."
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McCloskey, Robert. Make Way for Ducklings. New York: The Viking Press, 1941.
ISBN 978-0-670-45149-4
$15.12 at Barnes & Noble
Work consulted: Vardell, Sylvia M. Children's Literature in Action: A Librarian's Guide. Connecticut: Libraries Unlimited, 2008.
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