DIFFERENT DUCKS

Page’s picture book features ducks who are determined to go their own way.

The first page of this playful picture book features the statement, “Different ducks duck differently!”; this refrain is repeated throughout the text. The unnamed narrator explains that they’ve heard this ever since they were 3 years old and encourages readers to “ask a duck just how it ducks.” Each page of text alternates with the author’s full-page illustrations featuring ducks “ducking” in their own unique ways, whether dancing ballet on a stage in full costume (“with some pluck”) or in some other hilariously odd scenario. The prose consists of gentle rhymes that are broken up every few pages by the refrain. The illustrations, characterized sharp lines and bold colors, are highly detailed. (The duck “stuck in muck,” for example, is seen in the act of flinging off mud that drips and drops in a way that feels as if readers can reach out and touch it.) Page manages to instill an important message about being yourself in astonishingly few words—words that prove to be both powerful and silly, a combination that is sure to delight both children and adults. The book shines brightest in its illustrations, which are gorgeous and richly layered; the exquisite details prompt eyes to linger. This attention to detail, paired with an inspiring message expressed in a fun new way, makes for a refreshing read.

Whimsical illustrations and a catchy refrain result in a joyous celebration of what makes us unique.