Happy Birthday, Dear Duck (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition)

PreSchool-K Those who have come to expect illustrations from Jan Brett that vibrate with color, warmth, and activity will not be disappointed with her efforts in Happy Birthday, Dear Duck. A kind of cumulative tale, Bunting's simple ``mystery'' storyline develops at a leisurely pace that young children will appreciate. As charming friend after friend brings gifts, duck finds himself with a pile of presentsamong them a swimming suit, beach ball, scuba maskfor which he has little use in the desert. What glues the plot pieces together is the final gift (which children will no doubt have gleefully guessed)an inflatable pool. The book is occasionally flawed by awkward rhythm, forced rhymes (``goodness''/``rudeness'' and ``pool''/``grew''), and a general lack of freshness in Bunting's verse. However, the story concept is original, with enough tension and fun to entertain young children quite successfully. Lee Bock, Brown County Public Libraries, Green Bay, Wis.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.