Edward loves his pet duck more than anything. He raised it from a baby, and now it follows him everywhere&150even to the big fancy hotel in Memphis where he works with his father. Everyone at the Peabody loves to watch that little duck do tricks; why, it can even waddle up and down in time to a John Philip Sousa march, which is why Edward decides to name it John Philip.
But one day the hotel owner finds John Philip in his lobby fountain and he is NOT amused. Until Edward has an idea. What if he can train a bevy of ducks to march along behind him, swim in the fountain all day, and then march out every evening? If Edward can do that, the owner tells him, he and John Philip will have a permanent place at the Peabody. But can it really be done?
Based on the real-life tradition of the Hotel Peabody Ducks, Patricia Polacco's latest picture book is one of her most charming to date.
From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 4–Every morning at 11 o'clock a group of ducks exits an elevator and enters the lobby of the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, TN. They parade on a red carpet to a fountain in step to a John Philip Sousa march, led by a uniformed Duckmaster. They swim there all day and then return to their rooftop home. The duck march began during the Depression and continues to this day. Using these basic facts and filling in the gaps with her considerable imagination, Polacco chronicles the story of Edward Pembroke, the first Peabody Duckmaster, who finds an orphaned duckling, takes him to work with him, and, with patience, gentleness, and love, teaches him tricks, eventually impressing the hotel manager. This is Polacco at the height of her form in terms of both text and illustration. The story moves smoothly from start to finish and has a refreshing air of innocence. The artwork is simply beautiful as the artist orchestrates a harmonious symphony of color. The facial expressions are priceless. It is impossible not to smile as little John Philip Duck dances and cavorts throughout. This book is a winner in every way.–Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
K-Gr. 2. This charmer, loosely based on actual events, tells the story of an African American boy who trains a wild duck to perform to John Philip Sousa marches. Edward lives on a farm near Memphis, but during the week he stays at the Peabody Hotel, where he works with his dad. When he finds a duckling on the family farm, he convinces his father to let the creature stay with them at the hotel. The whole staff comes to love the duckling, and everyone helps Edward keep his pet hidden from Mr. Schutt, the gruff hotel manager. Of course, Mr. Schutt eventually finds out, but his anger turns to delight when Edward shows him how he has trained the duck to perform tricks to Sousa's music. Polacco's beautifully rendered watercolor-and-pencil illustrations contrast the rural setting with the posh hotel and bring the lovable cast of characters to life. The rather lengthy text makes this a good choice for school-aged children, but the story's fast pace and its high-interest subject will hold the attention of older preschoolers as well. Lauren Peterson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Born Patricia Ann Barber in Lansing, Michigan, to parents of Russian and Ukrainian descent on one side and Irish on the other, Patricia Polacco grew up in both California and Michigan. Her school year was spent in Oakland, California, and summers in her beloved Michigan. She describes her family members as marvelous storytellers. "My fondest memories are of sitting around a stove or open fire, eating apples and popping corn while listening to the old ones tell glorious stories about their homeland and the past. We are tenacious traditionalists and sentimentalists.... With each retelling our stories gain a little more Umph!"Studying in the United States and Australia, Patricia Polacco has earned an M.F.A. and a Ph. D. in art history, specializing in Russian and Greek painting, and iconographic history. She is a museum consultant on the restoration of icons. As a participant in many citizen exchange programs for writers and illustrators, Patricia Polacco has traveled extensively in Russia as well as other former Soviet republics. She continues to support programs that encourage Russo-American friendships and understanding. She is also deeply involved in inner-city projects here in the U.S. that promote the peaceful resolution of conflict and encourage art and literacy programs.The mother of a grown son and a daughter, Patricia Polacco currently resides in Michigan, where she has a glorious old farm that was built during the time of Lincoln.
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