Quack, moo, baa, cluck this is the tale of a nameless Duck (Farmer Duck - Martin Waddell)

Member Name: moo2moo

Product:	Farmer Duck - Martin Waddell
Date:	20/09/09 (23 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Semi-rhyming repetative text enables children to join in

Disadvantages: Dark aggressive imagery

Quack, moo, baa, cluck this is the tale of a nameless Duck who has the misfortune to be in the employ of a very lazy farmer. A farmer with hairy shoulders and a jelly belly, who is repeatedly featured shirtless throughout the story. Its not pretty and its not necessary either. Loose a star for including the sort of detail thats irrelevant to children and isn't beneficial to the story in any way.

The images are rather grey and bleak throughout turning an uplifting story of friendship and co-operation to overthrow a common enemy into something much more dark and grey. The imagery used is in places very aggresive and my youngest found this book too scary for bedtime although she loved to hear it during the day. The pictures are very detiled enabling a younger reader to follow the story without the need for words.

The languauge used is repetative and she prompts the reader to add appropriate animal voices at the turn of every page.

The critics obviously liked it awarding Farmer Duck the Smarties Book Prize, the British Book Awards Children's Illustrated Book of the Year and it was also hightly Commended The Kate Greenaway Medal.

Martin Waddells other childrens masterpieces includes the fabulous Owl Babies. Which is equally dark but with a very happy ending.

Summary: Not one for late nights