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6th out of 85 books
—
31 voters
Farmer Duck
Martin Waddell's uplifting modern fable and Helen Oxenbury's humor and pathos make this a very special collaboration.
Farmer Duck isn't your average duck. This duck cooks and cleans, tends the fields, and cares for the other animals on the farm--all because the owner of the farm is too lazy to do these things himself. But when Farmer Duck finally collapses from exhaustion,...more
Farmer Duck isn't your average duck. This duck cooks and cleans, tends the fields, and cares for the other animals on the farm--all because the owner of the farm is too lazy to do these things himself. But when Farmer Duck finally collapses from exhaustion,...more
Published
(first published April 1st 1992)
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My favorite experience reading this book aloud to a group of children: After I was done, I told them that when they are older, they may want to read the continuing story of the animals, in a book called "Animal Farm". I made the teacher snort. Hee
Who doesn’t love an abused animal that spends all his time farming? I adored this book when I was younger and to this day still shout “How goes the work?!” from my bedroom window if my Mother is gardening outside.
In my opinion every child in the world should be read this daily. Although it may lead to an obsession with the Harvest Moon franchise and an unrealistic life dream of living on a farm that looks after itself.
In my opinion every child in the world should be read this daily. Although it may lead to an obsession with the Harvest Moon franchise and an unrealistic life dream of living on a farm that looks after itself.
This fantastic book by Martin Waddell, tells the story of a duck who single handedly, runs a farm because the farmer is far too lazy to do the job properly. The duck does all the chores and starts to tire as the work starts to take its toll. The farm animals hold a meeting and decide to force the farmer out of the farm. They then support the duck by helping with the day-to-day running of the farm.
I read this book during literacy lessons on my second placement. The children loved the story and th...more
I read this book during literacy lessons on my second placement. The children loved the story and th...more
“Farmer Duck” is the story of a duck that lived on a farm with a lazy old farmer and did the all farm work by himself. The farmer stayed in bed eating chocolates and getting fat all while the duck worked tirelessly doing the dishes, ironing, weeding and making home repairs. The duck began to give out. His animal friends were worried about him. They saw and heard how the farmer treated duck. So they planned a meeting and made some executive decisions. The animals waited until morning then barged...more
I never even heard of this one before but it was adorable. That poor duck did all of the work on the farm while the farmer stayed in bed sleeping or eating. What a lazy farmer making your animals do everything. I was glad when all of the animals on the farm ran the farmer off the land. I'm also glad he never came back. The animals had everything in hand and they really didn't need him anyway. Duck probably didn't mind the work but doing it all by himself and being bellowed at the whole time woul...more
May 20, 2012
Tara O'
added it
Farmer Duck written by Martin Waddell and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury is a fabulous children’s book. There once was a duck who had the bad luck to live with an extremely lazy farmer. While the duck worked hard all day every day, the farmer used to lie in bed, eating chocolates, getting fatter and fatter. “How goes the work?” the farmer asks. “Quack!” says the duck. This was the arrangement every day. That was until one day when the other animals decided to take action! You see, the duck was th...more
Mar 29, 2012
Khayrun
added it
The Duck in this story has plenty of jobs to do around the farm. He has to take care of all the farm animals and attend to every whim the lazy farmer has. When reading this book we feel very sad for Duck each time the lazy Farmer shouts ‘how goes the work?’ and the pictures themselves display the sadness in Duck very well. However, Duck is not alone, the farm animals see the sadness and decide to help Duck and think of a plan to get rid of the lazy Farmer. So they stride into the house, the cow,...more
This is the story of poor Farmer Duck. He works hard on a farm all day and all night, while the lazy farmer lies in bed and eats chocolate. However, by the end of the story the lazy farmer gets his commupence when the other farm animals decide to teach him a lesson!
This was another book that I read with the Reception class I worked with during SEB as one of their core texts. The children absolutely loved this story, and I really liked reading it to them because the story lends itself well to som...more
This was another book that I read with the Reception class I worked with during SEB as one of their core texts. The children absolutely loved this story, and I really liked reading it to them because the story lends itself well to som...more
Sep 28, 2011
Liam Mernagh
added it
Farmer Duck is a wonderfully illustrated and funny book from Martin Waddell that tells the tale of the hardworking duck who does everything from feeding the cows to shooing the hens safely into their coop at night without a rest. When the farmers incessant question of ‘how goes the work?’ gets too much for duck, his friends the cow, sheep and hens, who love duck very much, have a meeting with all the other farm animals to find a solution to ease poor ducks plight and rid themselves of the lazy f...more
“Farmer Duck” by Martin Waddell is a beautiful illustrated picture book for children. The story in the book is very simple but it carries a powerful message. “Farmer Duck” tells the story of a duck that lived with a very lazy farmer. The duck did all the work on the farm while the farmer lay in bed all day. This continued day after day until all the animals got fed up of watching the duck do all the work. The animals decided to take action against the farmer.
The plot of the story is well develop...more
The plot of the story is well develop...more
There once was a duck who had the bad fortune of living with an extremely lazy farmer. The duck did all the work and the farmer stayed in bed all day reading the newspaper and eating chocolate. The duck fetched the cow from the field, brought the sheep from the hill, put the hens in their house. The farmer would shout from the house - 'How goes the work?' the duck would answer with a 'QUACK!' The farmer got fat from staying in bed all day and the poor duck got fed up from doing all the work. The...more
This charming tale takes place on a farm where we are introduced to a hardworking duck and a lazy old farmer. The duck does all the work around the farm. He fetches the cow, brings the sheep from the hill and put the hens in their house. On the contrary, the farmer does not fulfil any of his duties. He stays in the bed all day eating chocolates and asking the duck about the progress of the work. The duck is tired of such life. All the farm animals decide to help the duck as they love him. They g...more
Here is my first review on Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell.
Farmer Duck tells the story of an unfortunate duck who is under the grasp of a lazy farmer. Each day the duck must work the land taking on the role of the farmer. As the duck tends to his daily chores, the farmer shouts, “How goes the work?” The poor duck replies with a “quack” each time. Angry and annoyed at the mistreatment of their friend, the other animals stage an intervention. They chase the farmer out of his bed and away from the fa...more
Farmer Duck tells the story of an unfortunate duck who is under the grasp of a lazy farmer. Each day the duck must work the land taking on the role of the farmer. As the duck tends to his daily chores, the farmer shouts, “How goes the work?” The poor duck replies with a “quack” each time. Angry and annoyed at the mistreatment of their friend, the other animals stage an intervention. They chase the farmer out of his bed and away from the fa...more
Farmer Duck proved to be a very enjoyable read for my Reception/Year1/Year2 class in SEB. This story was used over a two week period (Unit 3 - Recounts) and the children seemed as engrossed in it by the end of the unit as they were at the beginning.
The story centres around a duck (Farmer Duck) completing all of the jobs on the farm whilst the 'lazy farmer' sits back and does nothing to help.
Eventually, the other animals decide to do something to help Farmer Duck and they do this by sharing the...more
The story centres around a duck (Farmer Duck) completing all of the jobs on the farm whilst the 'lazy farmer' sits back and does nothing to help.
Eventually, the other animals decide to do something to help Farmer Duck and they do this by sharing the...more
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This poor, lonely and over-worked duck is forced to carry out all the daily chores as the lazy farmer stays in bed all day. When he eventually breaks down his farmyard friends devise a plan to free him...
It is cleverly written and the illustrations are fully detailed. I have also seen an A3 or A2 sized version of this book. It's size and text make it an interactive book in a classroom environment.
It is cleverly written and the illustrations are fully detailed. I have also seen an A3 or A2 sized version of this book. It's size and text make it an interactive book in a classroom environment.
This book can be for 3 or 4 year olds. I would use it to teach cooperation because the animals in the farm come up with a plan to help the duck who does a lot of work. Children can understand the importance of being a part of cleaning up around the house or in the classroom.
Activity extension: I would like to show the children a small cooperation technique. They will need sit n the floor with a partner. The pairs will be seated back to back with their arms wrapped around each others arms. Then t...more
Activity extension: I would like to show the children a small cooperation technique. They will need sit n the floor with a partner. The pairs will be seated back to back with their arms wrapped around each others arms. Then t...more
This is a beautifully written story, with elements of poetry in the language without being a rhyming text. I enjoy reading it for the strength of the writing and the charming pictures. My kids love it, and it is definitely one of the family favourites. I've read reviews on the politics of the book (I hadn't made the connection to Animal Farm I admit) and there is part of me that feels a little uncomfortable that it ends with the Duck apparently telling all the animals what to do. Kids don't see...more
May 09, 2012
Aine
added it
Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell is a wonderful book that tells the story of a young Duck that is struggling with all the work on a farm because the lazy farm does no work at all. The farmer continuously asks the Duck how the work is going with the repetitive phrase 'How goes the work'. However, the farm animals care kindly for the Duck and decide to help the Duck out while teaching the farmer a lesson.
The Ducks friends come together to help him out and relieve him if all the work. It teaches the l...more
The Ducks friends come together to help him out and relieve him if all the work. It teaches the l...more
This book is about a lazy farmer who sits in bed all day long and let's his duck do all the work. The duck soon gets fed up with this and rally's all his farmyard friends together to think of a plan. They decide to get rid of the lazy old farmer once and for all...
This book would be nice to use during a teacher led activity because it works nicely if the words are read aloud and maybe if the children start joining in. There is a lot of repetition within the book including the word 'quack' and va...more
Farmer duck is a brilliant resource for younger children in EYFS. The story captures a tale of woe in that Farmer Duck is forced by the lazy farmer to do all the work on the farm; eventually the animals revolt and force the farmer out and begin to look after the farm by themselves. It has nods to Animal Farm however is considerably less intense. The story is engaging for children when read aloud and can be used in a variety of literacy based activities and can be used to promote knowledge and un...more
Great Book to read to children about helping each other and working together.The repetitive language can be used as an interactive book where children can join in when it is read to the class.
The illustrations are not as bright as I would like it to be but still portrays the farm and farm animals which is why I rated it 3.
Learning Experience: I did this activity with three year olds and the children loved it! I brought in heavy cream and baby food jars.The children took turns shaking the bottle...more
The illustrations are not as bright as I would like it to be but still portrays the farm and farm animals which is why I rated it 3.
Learning Experience: I did this activity with three year olds and the children loved it! I brought in heavy cream and baby food jars.The children took turns shaking the bottle...more
Beautiful illustrations and a wonderful story of friends coming together to help out the overworked duck. The duck does all the work the farmer is too lazy to do, so when the duck finally is so exhausted that he can't work anymore the animals decide to kick out the farmer and help out with the workload. The book teaches children to work together and to help a friend in need.
Lesson: I would have various puzzles and/or obstacles placed around the classroom and would have the children work in pairs...more
Lesson: I would have various puzzles and/or obstacles placed around the classroom and would have the children work in pairs...more
Poor farmer Duck is doing all the work on the farm, while the lazy farmer stays in bed all day reading the newspaper and eating chocolates. *snort* First page has a hilarious picture of said farmer in bed! The other farm animals don't like seeing farmer Duck so sad and tired all the time and so they come up with a plan to help the Duck.
Cute story of animals taking over the farm! It's sort of a children's version of George Orwell's Animal Farm! :D
Cute story of animals taking over the farm! It's sort of a children's version of George Orwell's Animal Farm! :D
I do like this book. Its a good story that can teach children to work together. Its also a good call and response book, which is good to see if the children are listening. This book is also good for teaching animal sounds.
Learning Experiance:
I will talk to the kids about working together and the meaning of teamork. Then i will group the kids into pairs of two and one of the children will be blindfolded. The other chi8ld must help guide the other child to the other side of the classroom with onl...more
Learning Experiance:
I will talk to the kids about working together and the meaning of teamork. Then i will group the kids into pairs of two and one of the children will be blindfolded. The other chi8ld must help guide the other child to the other side of the classroom with onl...more
Farmer Duck runs a farm all alone. The human owner-farmer is a lazy, so-and-so, who would rather eat candy in bed than take the time to do any work. While the man relaxes in his idleness (occasionally shouting out a helpful, “How goes the work?”) the duck cuts the wood, weeds the gardens, washes the dishes, irons the clothing, and pretty much does everything that needs doing. When at long last the duck grows, “sleepy and weepy and tired” (‘Do you need a nap?’), the other farm animals decide that...more
This book teaches what's fair and what's not fair:justice for all. It was clear that the Farmer was very lazy and he had Farmer Duck to do everything around the house and took care of the other animals. Due to Farmer Duck exhaustion, the other animals come to Farmer Duck rescue.
Learning Experience: The children can be related to the questions of: what's fair and what's not fair in the book. And we can discuss the answers of justice and the meaning of justice.
Learning Experience: The children can be related to the questions of: what's fair and what's not fair in the book. And we can discuss the answers of justice and the meaning of justice.
I have always loved this book! I remember my mother reading it to me when I was young and she would always give the characters voices. Reflecting back to those moments makes me think that it could make a great reading aloud addition. As a future teacher, I think that this book would be great inside of a classroom used with various types of lessons. This book could be used for a farming lesson, a job/career lesson or just a fun lesson overall!
I like the illustrations in this one. Simple, yet very telling. I loved all of the artwork with the animals. They were cute. I also liked the story, too. It was nice to see the Farmer "get his." A good book about friendship. I love the animal conversations. It probably isn't as funny to others as it was to me, but I enjoyed it. And is it just me that finds it hilarious that a book called "Farmer Duck" is by someone named Waddell?
A charming story with an excellent moral (take care of your friends). In our family we still say "how goes the work?" When someone is busy with a task. And I was greatly amused when my four year old daughter looked at the picture of the farmer in bed with his box of chocolates and said "he looks like Daddy".
Good for 3-4 year olds.
And lovely illustrations on the end pieces of the farm in winter and in spring.
Good for 3-4 year olds.
And lovely illustrations on the end pieces of the farm in winter and in spring.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_W...
Also writes under the pen name Catherine Sefton
Martin Waddell is the author of more than one hundred books for young readers.
More about Martin Waddell...
Also writes under the pen name Catherine Sefton
Martin Waddell is the author of more than one hundred books for young readers.
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Sep 10, 2012 11:33am