From The Critics
Our story begins when a box of rubber ducks falls off a cargo ship-a real event that inspired this renowned author/illustrator to imagine their individual fates: "The 3rd little rubber duck drifts north. A polar bear growls at it. The 4th little rubber duck drifts south. A flamingo stares at it." In a heartwarming twist, a family of real ducks adopts the 10th rubber duck, who happily replies to their quacks with a "squeak" made audible by a push button on the last page. Carle's sunny, signature tissue-paper collages offer gorgeous depictions of sea creatures, and his well-chosen words teach counting and directional concepts too. (ages 2 to 4)Child magazine's Best Children's Book Awards 2005