The Little Blue Duck.
Author: Chris Gurney
Illustrator: Stevie Mahardhika
Published by: Scholastic
Ages: 3 – 6 years.
Theme: patience, persistence, team work – lack of, self-absorbed.
Opening lines: A little Blue Duck, with a passion to cook, was busily searching her recipe book. “I’ll make a pavlova, that beaut kiwi treat, lighter than air and perfectly sweet. Aha, here it is!” she quacked to herself, and went to get eggs from the bowl on the shelf.
Synopsis: Little Blue Duck decides to make a pavlova and asks for assistance from his friends, but Tui, Kea and Weta are no help at all . They have far more important things to do, so Blue Duck ends up making the whole pavlova. But when it comes time to eat it, suddenly they are available….. mmm
Why I like This: A retelling of The little Red Hen, this has a true kiwi flavour. With such New Zealand icons peeking out in the illustrations such as the Chelsea Sugar, among others. Stevie delights us with cheeky bright illustrations married with Chris’s lovely rhyming text makes this a fun read. The repetitive refrain will have kids wanting to be read to again and again. If you want to know if Tui, Kea and Weta get to eat the Pavlova? Well you will have to find a copy to find out….
Resources/Findings: Chris has an activity of making a duck mask for kids on her website…. http://www.chris-gurney.com/little-blue-duck-mask.html
Little Blue Ducks under threat in NZ….. http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/7022005/Fight-for-survival-of-little-blue-duck
Information about the Little Blue Ducks, and how you can help…: http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/7022005/Fight-for-survival-of-little-blue-duck
The Little Blue Duck Song…. http://www.whioforever.co.nz/?attachment_id=541
For more books with resources please head on over and visit the lovely author Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Perfect Picture Books. Her blog is full of resources links and activities associated with the books reviewed by many authors.
Writer and Dreamer at work 
Oh how cute! I have to read this! Thanks for sharing some kiwi flavour, Diane!
lol…. your very welcome Catherine. Enjoy!
Oh, an adorable kiwi treat. What super rhyme, it trips off the tongue!
Oh yes, Joanna, the rhyming is wonderful. As if you were skipping!
Mmm…hungry for pavlova! Cute!
Yeah! I agree. We had some for Christmas Dinner with plenty of whip cream and fresh strawberries…. yum!
Mmmmm…does the recipe come with the book?
Unfortunately no it doesn’t. Now there’s a point, maybe it should have. If you want the recipe let me know Laura and I will send you my grandmother’s.
I’ve posted about a duck, too! Yes, this sounds like poor little red hen. Sounds like a good one.
Oh cool. You know what they say; great minds…… lol. It is a good one Janet.
A nice cultural twist on The Little Red Hen. Thanks for sharing!
Your very welcome Laura, glad you liked it. Maybe you will be able to pick it up at your local library. The illustrations are so colourful inside.
Fun choice. I love the Kiwi twist. I must be the only one who hasn’t had pavlova. Great cover as it grabs your attention.
What’s this? Never had pavlova! Oh my, you haven’t lived, Pat! That beautiful soft fluffy middle with a light crunchy shell….. mmm. Just the thought of it makes me drool! Next time we meet, we will have to look for a place with a stove, so I can make you one…lol. Okay?
Mmmm. Does the book have a recipe too?
no it didn’t Julie, here is an easy pavlova recipe for you …. http://australianfood.about.com/od/bakingdesserts/r/Pavlova.htm
enjoy.
Thank you!
This looks fantastic! I’ll have to check this out for my little one! 🙂
Glad you like it. Hope your little one enjoys it. The bright colourful illustrations are wonderful.
I don’t know about pavlova. It sounds drooly. The book looks really cute and I like that Little Blue Duck song! Thanks for sharing!
Rhythm, I think you will love pavlova, it’s so yummy. Glad you like the song.
Love the idea of a kiwi retelling of this classic tale – what fun! Thanks for sharing! I also love that you can link up again… and now you’re first because you’re awake before the rest of us 🙂 Yay!
yep, isn’t it fun. Now I am going to try booking my posts. That will be fun. Glad you like this one Susanna.
This story is perfect…The Little Red Hen was always one of my favorite stories…what a clever retelling of it. Your resource/activity list is awesome, Diane! Thank you so much for sharing.:)
Glad you liked the resource/activities as well as the story Vivian. I thought the song was very cute. Thank you.
This book looks delightful! Love the kiwi twist on the familiar tale.
Thank you, Beth. Glad you liked it.
Please describe a pavlova… Is it anything like a baklava?
No Erik it is not like a baklava. pavlova’s are lovely meringue shell with fluffy soft marshmellow inside when cooked right.topped with lashings of whip cream and fruit and chocolate chips for decoration.
OOOH… I want one! 🙂
I love anything having to do with New Zealand…and pavlova! It’s been years since I tasted one. What a fun way to incorporate ducks, cooking and kiwis.
lol…. I agree, certainly a fun story, Jarm. Glad you liked my find. Maybe you should put it down as a must try again Summer treat. Thanks, Jarm!
I love retellings! This sounds great. Thanks for adding it to the list.