Have You Seen My Duckling?

by Nancy Tafuri

The Story

There are only two phrases in this book, yet the story is complete. The story begins with one adventurous baby duckling swimming away from the nest while the seven other babies watch. In the next scene, the seven left behind have their beaks open telling mother duck what happened.

The remainder of the story is mother duck and her brood of seven visiting the various inhabitants of the pond, a crane, a turtle, a beaver, a catfish and another mother duck to ask the question, "Have you seen my duckling?" In each scene, the adventurous one is barely visible, but is somewhere in the picture.

Tafuri creates a charming book of hide and seek, and family reunion.

 


Some Strategies for Reading Have You Seen My Duckling?
 with Young Children

 

Here are two ideas you might try when reading the book with your children.

 

 

 

Encouraging participation

You help children develop a joy for reading and learning. Encourage your children to participate in the story. In the videotape you will see how the mother continually gets her children involved. When children participate, they show that they are excited about the story and about reading.

 

Storytelling:

Some parents do not feel comfortable reading the words in a book, but they can often tell the story through the pictures. Better yet, parents can encourage children to help tell the story. Children love to participate. It helps them understand how stories are structured and helps develop a joy for reading and learning. You might even want to make up your own stories to tell your children. You and your children can make your own book!

 

Before reading the book:

Asking children a few questions before you read the book together can help get them interested.

 

 

After reading the book:

Asking a few questions to children after you read the book can help them think more about the story.

 

 


Ideas to try together

The learning from books need not end once you’ve finished the book. Try these activities to extend the learning and fun. Each is designed to build language and literacy skills.

Sing or chant Five Little Ducks Went Out to Play

 "Five little ducks went out to play
Over the hills and far away.
Mother duck called with quack, quack, quack.
Four little ducks came waddling back."
(substitute four, three, two, and one)

 

 

 

Cut and paste duck story

Cut out duc k together and let child glue on feathers.

 

Make a flip counting book

Materials will be provided.

 

Play a guessing game

Put different items in a paper sack one at a time and have child try to guess what the item is by feeling it.

 


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University of Nevada, Reno
Please direct questions to: dweigel@unr.nevada.edu
URL of this document: http://www.scs.unr.edu/~dweigel/

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