Why do we work? If there were no driving force would we still work? If a slave’s master vanished would that slave continue to labour?

These and many more are examples of questions that may spring into your mine if you read your child, “Farmer Duck”. This story is written by Martin Waddell and the book illustrated by Helen Oxenbury.

ISBN 0-7445-3660-x

Before I tell you the story, (believe me that won’t take long) let me quote from the back cover:

Winner of the Smarties Book Prize
British Books Award Children’s Illustrated Book of the Year
Highly Commended for the Kate Greenway Medal

“Exceptional…a book to linger over. Martin Waddell’s text is simple and spare but it carries a powerful message.”

Now I’m sorry but I feel that is getting just a tad carried away! My youngest foster child (a young five) loves this, her latest book and enjoys joining in the animal sounds with gusto.

Now let’s meet the characters:

Duck our hero
Farmer our villain
Cow, sheep and hens, supporting roles!

To cut a short story even shorter, the farmer is fat and lazy and spends all day in bed. The duck does all the work on the farm till his friends (see supporting roles) get fed up on duck’s behalf. They turf the farmer out of his bed and chase him of the farm never to be seen again.

Okay but does it end with the animals all having a party together to celebrate? No they continue running the farm, true now they are having fun at the same time.

It does however bring me to the title of this op as I consider why they continue to work so hard. Do they intend at a later date to send each other off to market? Are they going to milk the cow just for fun? I’m not sure but if you have a little child read this with them and see what you think.

The illustrations are beautiful, the poor oppressed duck
217;s face when it all gets too much, or the cow’s face as it finally chases the farmer away is delightful. As for the picture of the farmer lazing in bed well, I try to avert my eyes at that point!

The story as you see is simple but it does delight children and that is all it sets out to do.The pictures are equally lovely and if your little one enjoys this as much as mine does it will be money well spent.

Please note, I have answered the questions below from my little ones point of view!