Duck! Rabbit!

by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Tom Lichtenheld (Illustrator)

Overview

This New York Times bestselling children's book is a smart, simple story that will make readers of all ages eager to take a side.

From the award-winning team of author Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrator Tom Lichtenheld comes a clever take on the age-old optical illusion: is it a duck or a rabbit? Depends on how you look at it! Readers will find more than just Amy Krouse Rosenthal's signature humor here; there's also a subtle lesson for kids who don't know when to let go of an argument.

ENGAGING AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING: Children will love the fun story based on the classic duck/rabbit visual puzzle, while parents will appreciate the book's lessons about differing points of view and right versus wrong.

INCREDIBLE TALENT: Amy Krouse Rosenthal's award-winning children's books "radiate fun the way tulips radiate spring: they are elegant and spirit-lifting," according to the New York Times. Her 30+ books for kids include I Wish You More and Yes Day!, both illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld, and Dear Girl, Little Pea, Little Hoot, Little Oink, and Spoon. Tom Lichtenheld is a prolific creator and has illustrated many bestselling favorites, including Steam Train, Dream Train and several titles in the Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site series.

RAVE REVIEWS: This bestselling book has earned multiple starred reviews. Highlights include:
"The snappy dialogue makes for fine read-aloud. Duck? Rabbit? As kids will readily see, it depends on how you look at it."—Publishers Weekly, starred review
"How cute is this? Really, really cute."—Booklist, starred review

Perfect for:

• Parents, grandparents, and educators
• Fans of picture books like They All Saw a Cat, Hello Hello, Red is Best, and Where's the Duck? 
• Gift givers looking for a fun, interactive family read aloud book

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780811868655
Publisher:	Chronicle Books
Publication date:	03/11/2009
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	75,946
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	3 - 5 Years

About the Author

Amy Krouse Rosenthal is a Chicago-based writer. She is the author of Little Pea, Little Hoot, Little Oink, and several other books for children and adults.

Tom Lichtenheld works as both an advertising art director and as a creator of of children's books. He has written and illustrated several books, including Everything I Know About Pirates. He has also collaborated with Amy Krouse Rosenthal on The OK Book and It's Not Fair! He lives in Geneva, Illinois.

Editorial Reviews

"An incredible, playful children’s book about a shape that could be either one. Is it a duck or a rabbit? Kids will love it."--Drew Barrymore

A New York Times Bestseller for 9 weeks!

“The snappy dialogue makes for fine read-aloud…Duck? Rabbit? As kids will readily see, it depends on how you look at it."--Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Funny by any standard.”--The New York Times Book Review

"How cute is this? Really, really cute."--Booklist, starred review

“...[a] modern twist on a classic form....Once youngsters solve this puzzle, they'll be clamoring for the next."-Kirkus Reviews

“This exercise in visual perception is both a great brainteaser and great fun.”--The Horn Book

“You know when people refer to “a book for all ages?” …in [this] new picture book, the cliché proves true….Hop (or swim) and find a Duck! Rabbit! of your very own!”--BookPage

From the Publisher

The team behind The OK Book again plays with perspective and visual trickery, this time using a classic image that looks like either a rabbit (with long ears) or a duck (with a long bill). In a series of spreads that show the boldly outlined duck/rabbit against a blue sky, two offstage speakers, their words appearing on either side of the animal's head, argue their points of view. The snappy dialogue makes for fine read-aloud: "Are you kidding me? It's totally a duck." "It's for sure a rabbit." Though the main image is basically static, Lichtenheld has fun with the details and setting, placing the animal behind green leaves ("Now the duck is wading through the swamp." "No, the rabbit is hiding in the grass"), near water ("Look, the duck is so hot, he's getting a drink." "No, the rabbit is so hot, he's cooling off his ears"), etc. The creature's disappearance brings a brief moment of reconciliation, but the twist ending puts the speakers at odds again. Duck? Rabbit? As kids will readily see, it depends on how you look at it. Ages 3-up. (Apr.)

Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Publishers Weekly

The art of optical illusions provides creative fodder for young guessing-game enthusiasts. In this modern twist on a classic form, two unseen characters' cheerful banter provides clues to an unknown object's identity. Each tries to persuade the other to see his or her version of the picture; their interactions' brevity provide a subtle charm. "Here, look at my duck through my binoculars." "Sorry, still a rabbit." The central character in this slight story is Lichtenheld's ink, watercolor and colored-pencil art. Two laid-back, parallel rabbit ears-or a duck's bill depending on the reader's focus-serve as the dominant image against the soft blue background, occupying the center of the composition even as its context changes. Thick black outlines perfectly complement the solid illustration within; its observant single eye seamlessly appears to look in opposite directions. The images displayed are also reflected in the endpaper's billowy clouds, providing a whimsical touch. Once youngsters solve this puzzle, they'll be clamoring for the next. Now is that a brachiosaurus or an anteater? (Picture book. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews

12/01/2014
PreS—In this clever board book told in two voices, viewers are asked to identify a single central figure in different ways. Is it a duck? Is it a rabbit? It all depends on where you sit and the few subtle details that are offered. The heavy black outlined artwork is deceptively simple and brilliantly executed. Duck? Rabbit? Let the debate rage on!

School Library Journal