This Odd Duck Experiences the Joy of and Unlikely Pairing in this Relatable Book

See a duck take to the water of friendship in this gorgeously warm, funny book about the joy of making an unexpected connection.

Duck is not like other ducks. Duck doesn’t like water and is perfectly fine alone, thank you very much. But then, one dark and stormy night, an outgoing, water-loving, and very lost Frog turns up at Duck’s door. Can this odd couple find Frog’s home? And will they find friendship along the way?

Duck is literally an odd duck: he doesn’t like water of any kind, not for swimming or paddling, or even in raindrop form. One dark and stormy night Duck finds a lost Frog outside his door. Days go by as Duck and Frog try in vain to find Frog’s home, until mail carrier Pelican comes by and offers to deliver the amphibian. With Frog gone, though, Duck’s house doesn’t feel like home anymore, and he sets out to reunite with his friend. This story is simple and sweet, but it’s Small’s illustrations that truly shine. Full of Wallace-and-Gromit-esque cuteness, Small’s wispy digital art pops in primary colors and clean, white backgrounds that make dramatic sequences such as the storm that brings Duck and Frog together (and the later storm Duck must brave to find Frog) all the more compelling. Frog’s small, stout figure and comically long legs are a delightful foil to Duck’s height and the broad curves of his vibrantly yellow rain hat and coat. Side character details add to the charm, with hard hat–wearing Beaver fixing Duck’s roof, otters in fly-fishing waders offering directions, and bespectacled Mole calmly sipping tea from a china cup. With plenty of visual Easter eggs and longer chunks of text, this is better suited to one-on-one bedtime cuddles than a larger storytime, especially since Duck and Frog are snuggled down for their own nap on the final pages. KP
– BCCB, February 1, 2021

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