The Duckling Gets a Cookie?!

Willems, Mo. 2012. The Duckling Gets a Cookie!?. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.  ISBN 9781423151289

(Photo obtained from http://mowillemsstuff.blogspot.com)

   Plot Summary

Pigeon is no stranger in the picture-book world.  In the most recent installment following Pigeon, Mo Willems writes about a duckling that asks politely for a cookie and receives it. Duckling’s friend, Pigeon, gets upset about the fact that Duckling received a cookie when Pigeon asks for things all the time but does not receive them, representing the old adage that life is not fair.  Pigeon is then surprised that Duckling gives him the cookie.  Duckling then requests a cookie without nuts. 

Analysis

The text in The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? is arranged in simple sentences, often with only one sentence per page.  The story is easy to read with an easy to understand storyline for even the earliest readers.  Although the illustrations are very simplistic - where often only Pigeon, Duckling and the cookie appear on the two page spread, Willems utilizes action words (“scooty scoot scoot” appears where Duckling is dancing around in attempts to get attentions) and emotions in the illustrations to enhance the conversation occurring page by page. 

Willems has the ability to use character quirks (sarcasm, self-centeredness/behavioral issues, etc) in a way that makes it funny while being able to teach morals as well.  Duckling repeatedly mentions that the reason he got his cookie was because he asked politely even when Pigeon isn’t paying attention.  Duckling is able to portray what it means to be a good friend even if Pigeon does not really know that his motivation behind giving him the cookie was not purely innocent. 

Review Excerpts

HORN BOOK:  “Kids will undoubtedly be familiar with the Pigeon’s strong emotions, but here they aren’t the ones out of control, which makes the gentle lesson in behavior as sweet as a cookie.”

Awards, Mentions and/or Honors

Number 1 on Amazon.com’s Best Books of the Month for Children (April 2012): http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?docId=1000789971&plgroup=1

Enrichment Activities

Pigeon has his own website!  http://pigeonpresents.com/

Pigeon Tweets! http://twitter.com/The_Pigeon

Books like One The Duckling Gets a Cookie!?

The (rest of the) Pigeon Series

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! By Mo Willems

Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! By Mo Willems

The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog! By Mo Willems

The Pigeon Has Feelings, Too! By Mo Willems