The Courtyard Duck
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
As they strode closer to the dark water, they suddenly stopped short, eyes wide, mouths open. They could hardly believe what they were looking at! It was a . . . a nest! A duck’s nest. And inside were one, two . . . three . . . still counting . . . ten, eleven . . . TWELVE fuzzy, peeping baby ducklings!!
“ Wow!” exclaimed Rebekah.
“ Cool!” interjected Daniel.
“ Holy smokes!” cried Francis.
“ Ducklings!” breathed Sandra.
Once they knew they could believe what they saw (after all, eight eyes can’t be wrong) the four kids stepped closer. Curiosity kept them staring, but respect for the feathery family had them stepping slowly and cautiously in their direction.
Twelve little ducklings all in a bunch, following their mother, ready for lunch! The peeping of the babies was so loud the children were surprised that no one else had come outside. Some of the ducklings’ heads bobbed up and down as they ate grass and tiny bugs. Others were waddling around as though they weren’t quite sure what to do or where to do it.
Mother Mallard stood still, watching Daniel and the children. For a moment, they simply stared at each other. Sandra softly assured Mother Mallard that they were friends and that no harm would come to her babies. Mother Mallard looked at Sandra, blinked twice and walked away.
“ We need to tell someone,” said Rebekah.
They all thought a moment. Who could they go to?
Then suddenly, in one confident voice, everyone said,“Mrs. Webster!” Realizing the high level of their voices, the children quickly clamped their hands over their mouths, hoping they did not frighten the ducks. They looked over at the birds who were still eating and waddling around. Mother Mallard still had her eye on the children, who sighed and smiled at eachother. They knew what they had to do.
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
It’s springtime and Mrs. Webster’s fourth grade class is excited to find feathery new residents in their school courtyard after Memorial Day break. But their plans to learn more about the ducks, and even go outside to sketch them in their sketch- pads, are quickly interrupted by an unforeseen accident.
So what do you do when a bunch of baby ducklings fall down a drain? That’s exactly what some of the children of Suregood Elementary are wondering. Daniel and his friends face a dilemma. Should they help (if so, how?), or should they let nature take its own course . . . ?
This book was written in honor of the intrinsic fascination with animals that children possess. It is natural for young children to want to help them, keep them, name them, pet and hold them, and ultimately love them. This book is written with the desire to teach respect for both wildlife and domestic animals; with the understanding that we share this world with them, that we all have a purpose and a place here.
About the Author
An artist since childhood, the author’s deep sense of creativity and passion for drawing, painting and reading have led her to wonderful places in life. She currently teaches art in Valley Cottage, New York, to some of the world’s greatest kids.
Her love of teaching extends to Continuing Education classes in watercolor painting. Ms. Mahan creates her own artwork in pencil, watercolor and acrylic.
A published poet, this is Ms. Mahan’s first book for children. The author resides in New York and enjoys motorcycling in the Spring, when she’s not watching ducks.
Ms. Mahan encourages all who have dreams to believe in themselves and persevere! No matter how big or small, they do come true!