Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack--and Mrs. Mallard--are celebrated in bronze on the Boston Public Garden. The sculpture was installed in 1987 as a tribute to Robert McCloskey, author of Make Way for Ducklings (1941). In this Caldecott medal winner, Mr. and Mrs. Mallard settle upon a tiny island in the Charles River to raise a family. All eight of their eggs hatch and keep Mrs. Mallard very busy. She teaches them to swim, dive, walk in a line, come when called, and keep away from things with wheels. Trouble arises when Mrs. Mallard walks her brood from the Charles to the Boston Public Garden. The sounds of HONK! and QUACK! brings Officer Michael to the rescue. The feathered family march across Beacon Street, "right on into the Public Garden," where they follow the swan boats and eat peanuts tossed by the tourists.
On the cover we meet the famous characters within. McCloskey's ducklings are drawn with accuracy and vitality because . . . wait for it . . . he lived with ducks! He brought ducks into his apartment as pets, so he could study them.
The Book built Home has Make Way For Ducklings: Handwriting Pattern Worksheets. Miss Sarah Class Abroad has Make Way for Ducklings: Reading and Writing Companion. Home School Matters has Make Way for Ducklings - Tally Marks.
