Barnyard Revolution! Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell

THERE WAS ONCE A DUCK WHO HAD THE BAD LUCK TO LIVE WITH A LAZY OLD FARMER.

THE DUCK DID THE WORK. THE FARMER STAYED IN BED.

While the blubbery farmer lounges, enjoying a breakfast tray brought by Duck, reading newspapers and eating chocolates all day, the duck must do all the farmwork. He watches the cow in the pasture, bringing her back at night to the barn, and, giving her some grain, milks her faithfully. He brings the sheep back to the barn at night, carrying the wayward ones on his back. He feeds and  hustles the hens off to their coop at night.

Duck digs the garden, climbs up a ladder to pick apples in the orchard, saws the wood, and aproned appropriately, cooks the meals and irons in the kitchen. The farmer only bestirs himself occasionally to yell out his bedroom window.

"HOW GOES THE WORK?"

"QUACK!"

ANSWERS THE DUCK.

At last Duck can carry on alone no more.

DUCK IS SLEEPY AND WEEPY AND TIRED.

The barnyard animals come together. Poor Duck! Upset, they call a meeting and make a PLAN.

And just before dawn they creep quietly out of the barn and sneak across the barnyard and through the kitchen door.

THEY CREAKED UP THE STAIRS AND STOLE DOWN THE HALL.

With the help of the hens, even the cow scoots beneath the sleeping farmer's bed. They begin to shake and rock and rattle the bed, and the farmer awakes to face the rebels in full force.

HE FLED WITH THE COW AND SHEEP AND HENS MOOING, AND CLUCKING AND BAAING AROUND HIM...

AND HE NEVER CAME BACK.

It's justice restored with the barnyard revolt, after which all the animals share the work and the rewards on their farm, in Martin Waddell's beloved classic in reissue, Farmer Duck (Candlewick Press.) With its theme that everyone should pull his weight in this world, Waddell's text, simple and yet so timely, has not lost its punch, and the beloved artist, Helen Oxenbury's rustic illustrations are as lovely and evocative as ever. A picture book that no child should miss.