Quietly … Quietly … Quack!
Jonty Howley
Happy Yak

When three little ducks wake up, their Mama is still sleeping so they take advantage of this and sneak put of the duck house to explore the farm. ‘Quietly … Quietly …QUACK!’ On reaching the field they hop along the fence ‘Carefully … Carefully … QUACK!’ Then, eager to smell the farmer’s breakfast but wary of his dog, they sneak along the washing line but emit a loud quack that disturbs said dog.

Despite not being allowed to enter the woods, the three ducklings best way to escape from the dog is to dash into the trees as quickly as they can, only to discover the reason why said territory is out of bounds. They creep past silently but one steps on a twig ‘CRACK!’ That arouses the sleeping creature so they hide in a badger’s den … Nervously … Nervously … QUAAACCCKKK!!! and then race back home … All, so we’re told, without their mother knowing they’ve been out, because they went – well you know how … But did she know, or didn’t she ? I wonder.

With a shortish text that cries out for little humans to join in and droll, arresting illustrations that extend the narrative, this is ideal to share with preschoolers and for beginning readers to try for themselves (once they’ve heard the story read aloud).