Not This Little Black Duck product reviews

I purchased this book through the 'book man' that visits my work place, and it came as a set of two books and I really wanted the other book but not so much this book....but hey one can never have enough books when young children are around!! I am an Early Childhood Teacher and read this book to the children at a few mat times and they didn't really grasp the concept of the moral behind the story, (bullying and being mean to others) maybe it was the way I read the story to them but from the questions they asked throughout the story I don't think they comprehended the lesson being taught.

The children guessed that the little black duck would stay living on the golf course but would just move to swim in another pond away from the ducks that were being mean. The children were more interested in the dog playing golf and the frog that was sitting on the golf ball I think.

I probably won't read the book to the children again. The recommended retail price seems why to much for the book in my opinion, I probably would not have bought it by itself. I did like the illustrations though, they where bright and colourful.

Personally, I loved this book and the message it put across so clearly - love thine enemy... for that is how you turn their hearts. OK, that sounds a little too 'biblical wisdom' but none the less, it says what it needs to.

The little black duck, named "Duck", is the butt of all the jokes from the other ducks... he is bullied, shunned and basically victimised... but when he sees trouble and is tempted to leave the nasty ducks to bear the brunt of it, he realises that he would then be just as bad, if not worse, than the bullies... so he does the right thing and becomes the hero, in more ways than one.

I think all kids should be read this book until they are old enough to read it for themselves, as it might just help a few would-be victims turn away from the path of revenge and lead better, happier and more productive lives if they get this into their heads early enough. Break the cycle before it starts!

Overall, a wonderful book. Despite stunning artwork and a simple but wonderful story... I did feel the price was a little higher than I would be happy paying, however if it helps stop my child from being a bully or a victim, then it's a bargain!

The dedication by the author Mark Svendsen says it all really. "This book is dedicated to little black ducks the world over. Chin up, chest out - never surrender you good things".

A fantastic short story about bullying and the victim being the better person (duck) by not lowering themselves to the same level of behaviour as their persecutors. And that there is sometimes something sweeter than revenge. All told using fantastic illustrations of ducks with a few golfers thrown in.

The writing is very clear and simple and the illustrations really are fantastic. A bit daffy duck style. A few rhyming words but the focus is more on the moral tale, for which I am glad as I think if there was too much rhyming it might have detracted from the story. Because the print is clear Miss Five is able to attempt to read this as well.

This book was a really good discussion point for Miss Four and Miss Five in talking about how to deal with others who are mean and it will be a book that I make a point of bringing out regularly. Miss Four and Miss Five love this so I think it will be pulled out a lot anyway. A brilliant book on a very difficult subject.