Picture Book Review - Duck for President

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Cronin, Doreen. 2004. DUCK FOR PRESIDENT. Ill. by Betsy Lewin. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0-689-86377-2.
PLOT SUMMARY
Duck becomes disenchanted with his lot in life on Farmer Brown's farm. He organizes an election and replaces Farmer Brown as the leader of the farmyard. The change in status comes with its own set of problems, and Duck decides to move on to higher office. Landing eventually in the Oval Office, Duck finds that he is still unhappy and returns to the farm to write his memoirs.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Duck for President is the third story to feature Farmer Brown and his difficult duck. Children will identify with Duck's dislike for the chores he must perform on the farm. The distasteful and dirty nature of the farm animals' chores is shown in Betsy Lewin's illustrations of them covered in debris. Duck exhibits strength, determination, creativity, and confidence in his efforts to change his circumstances. The plot presents a basic representation of the election process that is well within the grasp of children in the primary grades. The author indicates the passing of time by using phrases such as "at the end of each day" and "the next morning". Betsy Lewin's illustrations featuring red, white, and blue bunting and American flags, compliment the election story and support the festive atmosphere of an election campaign. A running joke in the text and the illustrations is the fate of the missing votes in each election. Children will catch on to this device after the second election and look for it as the story progresses. References in the story to Duck playing the saxophone on late night TV (a la Bill Clinton) and an illustration of a downcast Duck in the Oval Office with his back to the audience (Richard Nixon) will draw a chuckle from adult readers. The theme of Duck for President is that one may not gain happiness or avoid work by simply changing one's circumstances.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Kirkus Reviews: "Just in time for an election year, the feathered troublemaker of Click, Clack; Moo (2000) and Giggle, Giggle, Quack (2002) enters the political arena, with sidesplitting results."
Publishers Weekly: "...Lewin's chunky-outlined watercolors continue to cater to the younger crowd with her usual dashes of humor and daffy sweetness. Her depictions of the campaign-trail motorcades, parades, and town meetings are a hoot."
CONNECTIONS
>Read other Farmer Brown stories by Doreen Cronin like Click, Clack, Moo and discuss Duck's behavior. What lessons does he learn from his adventures? Will he ever change his ways?
>Have a pretend election with a parade.