One Cool Duck #2: The Far-Out Fort

by Mike Petrik

Overview

Duck and the gang want to build a cool hangout in the second book in this graphic chapter book series perfect for fans of Narwahl and Jelly.

When the gang decides to build a hangout where everyone can chill together, there are supplies to gather, the puuurrrfect tree to find, and of course: an awesome name to pick! (Turkey wonders: What about the Doozy Den?) But when Cat tells the gang that tree forts aren’t cool, everybody’s feathers get ruffled—especially Duck’s. In three short chapters, perfect for readers just gaining confidence, Duck and his friends once again show Cat that being cool is never about being mean!

Hippo Park graphic chapter books are ideal for beginning and newly independent readers, with approachable page counts, easy-to-follow paneling, and artwork that supports text comprehension.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781662640254
Publisher:	Astra Publishing House
Publication date:	10/03/2023
Series:	One Cool Duck , #2
Pages:	64
Product dimensions:	6.25(w) x 8.56(h) x 0.39(d)
Age Range:	6 - 9 Years

About the Author

Mike Petrik is an animator by day and an illustrator of books, magazines, and wonderfully scary doodles by night. The author of The Silly Sounds of Halloween (Harper, July 2021) and The Silly Sounds of Christmas (Harper, September 2022) he is new on the scene and is an exciting new talent. He lives with his wife and three children in Oak Lawn, IL.

Editorial Reviews

"Kid-friendly with a rad edge…..Young readers [will] appreciate the sick vibes and smooth wordplay..Totally sweet!” — Kirkus Reviews

"A fun adventure....Recommended for raders ages 5-7 looking for a silly beginner chapter book graphic novel. Great for fans of the Pea, Bea, and Jay series." — Youth Services Book Review

"The fun continues as these characters search for a place to hang out together....the artwork is full of details for readers to flesh out the dialogue. I appreciate the ending leading to the next book. A fun read for mid-elementary level." — Pamela Gombert, Librarian, Bowen Elementary

"... the second book in an already super cool series. Kids will love the quirky expressions of the animal friends, as well as their unique personalities. They will wonder in anticipation with the other friends as they decide what to name the fort....Children will be drawn to the colorful illustrations and fun characters. A fantastic addition to the series!" — Rebecca Band, educator

"This book was ace! Highly recommended." — Dona Maguire, Goodreads

From the Publisher

12/02/2023

Gr 1–4—When Cool Duck and his friends realize they need a new place to hang out, they decide to build a tree house. Each friend brings specific skills to the project, such as Turkey painting with her feathers, or Cat putting in a TV. Though the piece is charming and nostalgic, with their heavy use of slang and X-treme sports activities, Cool Duck and his friends feel incredibly reminiscent of 1990s fast food ad campaigns, which may be unrelatable to young readers. Older children might enjoy their antics, but those using this as an easy reader will find it's not meeting them on their level. The team will often make fun of one another without ever addressing the matter, making the piece feel even more out of touch. Word choice is usually simple, as this seems geared toward the early reader set, but curveballs, such as "bodacious" and "dope-as-a-cantaloupe" feel out of place. Illustrations are the highlight, as the strong outlining and bold, modern color palette make the characters really come to life. VERDICT While the book is fun and nostalgic, the 1990s references may feel unrelatable to the target audience.—Peter Blenski

School Library Journal

2023-10-07
Duck, Cat, and the gang need a new place to hang out.

“Bored outta their gourd,” the friends search for somewhere to go, but each spot they try is a dead end. The arcade is closed, the skate park’s too crowded, and the local food shack is a mess. As they’re brainstorming other options, Turkey suggests building a treehouse, and the others jump on the idea. Skeptical Cat deems the idea “crab” (uncool), but Duck and the others are into it. The gang go into the woods to find the perfect tree, and the friends disperse to collect building materials. They each pitch in and work hard…except Cat, but he eventually brings the finishing touches that really make this place a “far-out hangout.” This second installment has the same format as the earlier book in the series: three chapters with minimal words and fun, cartoony comic panels. Like The King of Cool (2023), it features children having fun by living it up and accomplishing something together. Petrick’s art is kid-friendly with a rad edge. The anthropomorphic animals sport sunglasses, baseball caps, and graphic tees. Young readers may not get all the old-school references, but they’ll appreciate the sick vibes and smooth wordplay (“dope-as-a-cantaloupe”).

Totally sweet! (Graphic fiction. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews