Bibliography:
Cronin,Doreen. 2002. Giggle, Giggle, Quack. Ill. by Betsy Lewin. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780689845062
Plot Summary:
Farmer Brown goes on vacation, leaving his somewhat simple-minded brother in charge of his farm while he is away. Farmer Brown leaves specific written instructions for his brother, Bob, to follow and calls to check up on the farm every night. He insists that Bob keep a good eye on Duck, an irascible character who likes to stir up mischief on the farm. Upon leaving, Farmer Brown dropped his pencil, Duck has retrieved it and uses that pencil to edit the instructions Farmer Brown has left behind regarding the care of his animals. Needless to say, the animals enjoy pizza, bubble baths and a movie night as Famer Brown is oblivious of the changes made to his instructions. On the final night, Farmer Brown calls the farm and the animals answer instead of Bob, letting Farmer Brown know that something is amiss and it is probably a direct result of Duck’s mischief. He returns home.
Critical Analysis:
Cronin and Lewin make a great team, pairing up for this hilarious new story about the trouble-making Duck and his barnyard capers. The personification of the animals in this story makes it an easy tale for children to enjoy. The sentence structures used are simple with much usage of onomatopoeia: “Giggle, giggle, oink, quack.” The repetition of the phrase, give or take a sound effect each time, is entertaining and memorable for a young child.
The artwork is done in soft water color, using bright colors and smudged lines, creating a fun and funny work to view and enjoy. The pictures as well as the written text are both needed to convey the story, as some of the text of the story is included in Farmer Brown’s illustrated notes to his brother, Bob. Also, readers must pay attention to the small details in the artwork to understand the mood being conveyed and foreshadow the outcome of the story. On the first page, Farmer Brown is writing a list of things to do for his brother as the animals look on with shifty eyes, as if anticipating Farmer Brown’s departure with great excitement. At this moment, a reader can expect comical mayhem to ensure. On the second page, though it is not noted in the text, an observant reader will see that Farmer Brown has dropped his pencil, which is the key to unlocking the events of the story.
Though, the story is about misbehavior when the parental figure is away and tricking the “babysitter”, one can also see the thoughtfulness behind Duck’s actions. I, for one, could not help but notice that Duck never wrote any special instructions about luxuries for himself. All of the instructions he doctored were for the benefit of his barnyard buddies. All of the animals are friendly and jovial toward each other and there is a sense of camaraderie between all of the characters, even Duck and Farmer Brown.
This book is a light-hearted work that can be enjoyed by young children and their parents for a quick “giggle” before bedtime or any other time.
Review Excerpt(s):
“Cronin again balances wit and jovial warmth in scenarios that will have readers laughing out loud. Fans of the first book will delight in the details found in Lewin's chipper watercolor washes with a painted bold black line (the electric blankets originally demanded by the cows are put to good use, for example). This sitcom on the farm more than lives up to its title and demands repeat visits. Ages 3-7.” – Publishers’ Weekly
“Art and text cleverly play off one another. Early on, sharp-eyed viewers will observe that Duck is rarely without his pencil, thereby giving a clue as to who is really supplying the daily instructions. And Lewin's animated cartoon art with its loosely composed black line manages to capture well-meaning, but perfectly clueless Bob and that pampered barnyard crew. The scam ends when, during a check-in phone call, Farmer Brown hears "Giggle, giggle, quack" (the animals are watching The Sound of Moosic). Kids old enough to catch on will delight in seeing the clever animals pull off another fast one.” – SLJ
“There's no real story here, just one triumphant, messy scenario after another. But kids will love the silly, subversive farce, and Lewin's big illustrations with thick black outlines do a great job of showing close-up cows and pigs happily lolling on the sofa, splashing in the bathroom, and making themselves right at home.” – Booklist
A New York Times Bestseller
Connections:
This book is a simple light-hearted read that could perhaps cheer up a gloomy child or entertained a bored child.
Other books written by this author also feature similar light-hearted airs, vibrant watercolor and smudged lines to convey airy tones and intensify humorous situations.
Reader can look for these other books by Cronin and Lewin featuring Duck:
Cronin, Doreen. Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type. Ill. by Betsy Lewin. ISBN: 978-0689832130
Cronin, Doreen. A Busy Day at the Farm. Ill. by Betsy Lewin. ISBN: 978-1416955184
No comments:
Post a Comment