Duck for President

Bibliography
Cronin, D. (2012). Duck for president. Ill. by Betsy Lewis. New York: Little Simon.

Summary
Just in time for an election year, the feathered troublemaker of Click, Clack, Moo (2000) and Giggle, Giggle, Quack (2002) enters the political arena, with sidesplitting results. Weary of chores, Duck organizes a farmyard election and ousts Farmer Brown-only to discover that running a farm is harder than it looks. So Duck moves on, campaigning first for Governor, than President, and winning each time by, well, a nose.


Critical Analysis
Duck, the main character is nothing like the actual farm animal. He is a go-getter who believes there is more to life than chores. And a duck who believes that he himself could do a better job at running the farm. After climbing his way to the presidency, Duck has a realization that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. The characteristics of Duck may resonate well with older kids in the discovery of their own personal values and self-worth. Children have a tendency to want what others have, not realizing the value of what they already had to begin with. Hopefully they can learn something from Duck.

The watercolor illustrations in this book are very appealing. The colorful pages are filled with Ducks adventures from farm animal to president, and back to farm animal again. Kids will enjoy the visuals that combine with this funny tale of discovery that life is not always fun.

 Connections
-Have mock elections where students will voice their reasons for wanting to be in charge of the classroom
-Sequence activity where students will place important plot events in order from beginning to end.

Review Excerpts
School Library Journal: "Cronin's text is hilarious for kids and adults"

Publishers Weekly: "Her depictions of the campaign-trail motorcades, parades and town meetings are a hoot"

Awards
New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book 
Book Sense Children's Illustrated Book of the Year