A Couple of Odd Ducks

I’m not sure where I saw Odd Duck listed, but when I saw it was by Cecil Castlucci and Sara Varon I put it on my hold list at the library. It took so long to come in I forgot all about it!  I also couldn’t remember if I’d ordered it for myself or the kids. It’s a bit of a toss up because Cecil Castelucci has written YA books I’ve really liked, and I was the one who read Sara Varon’s Bake Sale (absolutely charming.)  I read it aloud to everyone and we all liked it and it certainly could have been something for my son to read on his own. Theodora is a duck who lives by herself and has a very particular routine.  She swims with a teacup on her head, visits the library and checks out books no one else wants, doesn’t fly south, and is very pleased with herself.  One day a new neighbor moves in who is everything she’s not-messy, sloppy, and rude.  The neighbor is very friendly towards her, but Theodora doesn’t want a friend, especially one like him.  But then it turns out that he doesn’t fly south either and as it’s just the two of them there over the winter they get to know each other and end up having a grand time.  Then one day in the spring (when the rest of the town is back) they overhear someone saying “odd duck”—but who is being referred to? No surprises in the ending, although shockingly, neither one of my kids could guess what was going to happen.  This is a charming story of friendship and quirks and has lots of illustration details that are fun.  Not surprisingly, it’s published by First Second!

Dodsworth in Tokyo by Tim Egan is an easy reader with short chapters.  I was attracted to it by the title alone-an easy reader about Tokyo? I had to see what it was like!  I read this aloud to my younger child and she was definitely interested in the setting, as well as the funny story.  Dodsworth (a pig??) and his duck travel to Tokyo.  Dodsworth is pretty apprehensive about the whole thing because Japan is a land of manners and customs and his duck has proven, in the past, to be uncouth and make a spectacle of himself.  Dodsworth seems to know a lot about the land and culture and points out famous sights to the duck and teaches him a few words. Duck is most interested in the wagashi, colorful Japanese desserts, which Dodsworth promises to him as an incentive to behave.  Of course, Duck ends up causing a scene anyway, but it turns out it’s all for a good reason.I had never read a Dodsworth book so was delighted when we got to the end and saw on the back cover that there are actually several books about Dodsworth’s travels. We’ll definitely be checking out more! Arigato, Mr. Egan!