Common Sense Media Review
By Patricia Tauzer
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Simple lines and words, all about seeing things differently.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 1 parent review
What's the Story?
Duck? Rabbit? Which is it? The boldly lined drawing could be either. In one moment, given certain evidence, it could be a duck. But, then, looked at a little differently, it could be a rabbit. Two voices, both outside the book somewhere, carry on the debate. And in the end...hmmm...just what do they decide?
Is It Any Good?
From cover to cover, this book is both cute and fascinating. Older readers will recognize this simplified but appealing version of the classic duck/rabbit optical illusion. Both grown-ups and kids will be drawn in by the dramatically expressive, though simple, text and artwork of this version as two unseen characters debate the age-old question of just what they are looking at...exactly.
Kids will like taking one of the parts, and with repeated readings this book should just be more and more fun. And, each time, the greater lesson, accepting the fact that each of us sees things a little differently, will become more entrenched.
Simple duck/rabbit characters, white with thick black outline, are placed against the bright blue background like clouds against the sky. The ink, watercolor, “and a wee bit of colored pencil” artwork looks quite a bit like that in My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the cover. What do you see first: Duck or Rabbit? Can you see both? What would convince you to change your mind?
As they read the book together, parents and kids might take parts and act out the debate.
They can talk about how to disagree without being angry and how to argue with someone and still remain friends.
Book Details
- Authors: Amy Krouse Rosenthal , Tom Lichtenheld
- Genre: Picture Book
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Chronicle Books
- Publication date: March 11, 2009
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 8
- Number of pages: 40
- Last updated: March 4, 2020
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