Birds of a Feather? Hey, Duck! by Carin Bramsen

"HEY, DUCK! WHY IS YOUR TALE SO LONG?"

"DON'T CALL ME A DUCK!  IT'S WRONG!"

Talk about sounding like you're just hatched! This fuzzy little waterfowl is as naive as a duckling can get.

Out for a morning stroll, he meets up with a furry, four-legged, pawed and clawed, long-tailed critter with whiskers. But this clueless duckling seems to need a buddy to play with, and even though this one is indeed a queer duck, he's certainly willing to consider his company, despite his stealthy walk, long, swishy tail, and his apparent distaste for water sports. But the cat repeatedly declares that he's NOT A DUCK! He's even rude!

"SCAT!"

But when the little duck seems to accept his disinterest and goes off to puddle-stomp all by himself, Cat suddenly feels a tweak of remorse at his summary dismissal of the duckling's friendly overtures. To show his change of heart, he tries out a new greeting:

"QUACK!"

And gets an unexpected answer:

"MEOW!"

Two unlikely friends who learn to speak each other's language are the subject of Carin Bramsen's newest, Hey, Duck! (Random House, 2013). This slight story of an odd couple of friends is skillfully set off by Bramsen's delightful book design and illustrations.  Using a variety of page layouts and perspectives, she points up the differences between these two creatures and their underlying similarity in their need for a playmate.  Kids will giggle at this silly case of  mistaken identity by a hapless little duckling, and Bramsen's pastel palette and appealing little feathered hero will make this story a fine springtime choice. "A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together," agrees Kirkus Reviews.