Picture Books — Review

Gracie, The Public Gardens Duck

by Judith Meyrick
illustrated by Richard Rudnicki
Nimbus Publishing, 2007
ISBN 1-55109-605-6
$16.95, hardcover, 32 pp, ages 5 – 8
www.nimbus.ns.ca

Gracie is accustomed to being fed by visitors to the Halifax Public Gardens where she lives, and she can’t understand why everyone, even the regulars, suddenly stop sharing their treats with her. When she discovers a new sign with the words PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE DUCKS, she finally understands, and devises a plan to alter the sign to read PLEASE DO FEED THE DUCKS. Although she is successful in changing the wording on the sign, her great efforts do no good whatsoever, and in desperation, the hungry Gracie begins pecking the ground looking for crumbs. In the process, she eats some quite tasty insects and water plants and realizes that she probably won’t starve after all.

Gracie, The Public Gardens Duck meets all my criteria for collectable picture books for Canadian schools: is well written and illustrated, mentions a Canadian place name, will be enjoyed by children, and can be used as part of a number of different thematic teaching units. Definitely worth having in your school or classroom library!

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