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Five Little Ducks
Duck Skates
Come play in the snow with these five fun-loving ducks!
It’s snowing! Five little ducks can’t wait to go out and play. They pull on their bright new boots and race outside for a day of snowballs and skating. When evening comes, the tired ducklings are happy to find the perfect toasty ending to their busy day.
From the first sprinkle of snowflakes to the last sip of cocoa, this cozy little book celebrates all the joys of winter.
It’s snowing! Five little ducks can’t wait to go out and play. They pull on their bright new boots and race outside for a day of snowballs and skating. When evening comes, the tired ducklings are happy to find the perfect toasty ending to their busy day.
From the first sprinkle of snowflakes to the last sip of cocoa, this cozy little book celebrates all the joys of winter.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2005
28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
August 2, 2020
Five little ducks head to the local pond for some skating and winter fun in this picture-book from author Lynne Berry and illustrator Hiroe Nakata. As they gain a surer footing on the ice, they engage in other games, skating into a pile of snow, having a snowball fight, and so on. Eventually they head home for some warm food and a snooze by the fire...
The first of four picture-books featuring these five ducklings from Berry and Nakata, Duck Skates is a cute enough book, pairing a rhyming text with colorful artwork. Some of the passages would lend themselves to counting games, and I would imagine that the book as a whole would make an engaging read-aloud selection. All that said, it didn't leave a strong impression on me, despite my fondness for wintry scenes. Picture-book readers looking for cute stories about winter activities might want to give it a try, particularly if they enjoy rhyming texts.
The first of four picture-books featuring these five ducklings from Berry and Nakata, Duck Skates is a cute enough book, pairing a rhyming text with colorful artwork. Some of the passages would lend themselves to counting games, and I would imagine that the book as a whole would make an engaging read-aloud selection. All that said, it didn't leave a strong impression on me, despite my fondness for wintry scenes. Picture-book readers looking for cute stories about winter activities might want to give it a try, particularly if they enjoy rhyming texts.
March 17, 2020
Duck Skates features five ducks who go out to enjoy winter activities. They skate, slide, and play in the snow. They also have a snowball fight with a friendly ending. It's great to add in counting throughout the story.
It was shared with three year olds and they sat okay through the story. I think I would select a different winter story to share with that age group. A couple students shared the number when I held up the count on my hand. I wished for more, but with a small group they little ones tend to be shy.
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I shared this book at a Family Storytime with children of all ages and added more counting. We counted boots when they came off and on (ten boots for five ducks). It went a lot better.
01/2015 Theme: winter storytime tour
02/2015 Theme: Sweaters
03/2020 Theme: Skating (FB Live Storytime)
Reviewed from a library copy.
It was shared with three year olds and they sat okay through the story. I think I would select a different winter story to share with that age group. A couple students shared the number when I held up the count on my hand. I wished for more, but with a small group they little ones tend to be shy.
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I shared this book at a Family Storytime with children of all ages and added more counting. We counted boots when they came off and on (ten boots for five ducks). It went a lot better.
01/2015 Theme: winter storytime tour
02/2015 Theme: Sweaters
03/2020 Theme: Skating (FB Live Storytime)
Reviewed from a library copy.
November 29, 2011
A rhyming story with cute enough illustrations but I didn't feel like it really grabbed the kids. Looking at it again, I think it might be better for one on one sharing rather than storytime. That would give kids time to see all the details in Hiroe Nakata's watercolor and ink drawings. I do love the minty color palette Nakata used.
Worked fine for the four-year-olds as a shorter wrap-up story at the end of storytime. Not their favorite of the day, but it still held their interest.
Used for St. John's Preschool Let It Snow! storytime 12/1/09.
Used for Snow Storytime for four-year-olds at Light of Christ Preschool 1/4/11. Used for 3-5 yo storytime at Sunshine Early Learning Center 11/16/11.
Worked fine for the four-year-olds as a shorter wrap-up story at the end of storytime. Not their favorite of the day, but it still held their interest.
Used for St. John's Preschool Let It Snow! storytime 12/1/09.
Used for Snow Storytime for four-year-olds at Light of Christ Preschool 1/4/11. Used for 3-5 yo storytime at Sunshine Early Learning Center 11/16/11.
January 5, 2015
The story is kind of just ok but I like two things specifically about the book: One, you can sing the entire thing to the tune of "Five Little Ducks"; and two, though the parts of the text where two ducks are doing this and three ducks are doing that are a little tedious to read, the illustrations match the text, so reading one-on-one with a child, you could slow down and do some counting, adding, and subtracting.
January 25, 2017
This book is super cute and I love the illustrations. I was a little concerned that the ducks ignored the no-skate sign--definitely not something you want little kids to emulate. Still, overlooking my mom paranoia, I thought this was a fun book for a read-aloud.
November 6, 2008
Cute story about ice-skating ducks, but I am going to skip the part where they ignore a Stop sign when I read it at storytime.
June 18, 2015
The ducks blow past a danger sign on purpose. What is that teaching?
February 2, 2017
-1 for IGNORING THE SIGNS AT A SKATING POND TO NOT SKATE IN A CERTAIN AREA
I mean, come on. That's dangerous.
I mean, come on. That's dangerous.
February 26, 2019
Hmmm......
"Duck Skates" does have a lot going for it. A lot. It's a fun way to do variations on counting to five. (The predominant one is 3 +2). It also talks about how there are ten of something (think five ducks + 2 mittens each, etc.) And the illustrations are colorful and delightful.
I just don't love this book like I want to. There is disobedience as a major theme to drive the tale. (Which I didn't quite catch until my second read through). My kids in storytime also didn't react to this as I wanted them to either.
So needless to say, this will not be a reread.
"Duck Skates" does have a lot going for it. A lot. It's a fun way to do variations on counting to five. (The predominant one is 3 +2). It also talks about how there are ten of something (think five ducks + 2 mittens each, etc.) And the illustrations are colorful and delightful.
I just don't love this book like I want to. There is disobedience as a major theme to drive the tale. (Which I didn't quite catch until my second read through). My kids in storytime also didn't react to this as I wanted them to either.
So needless to say, this will not be a reread.
January 30, 2019
This could fit into a winter or snow themed story time for toddlers, but I think it makes a better lap read as the pictures are more engaging than the story. if you want to read it aloud I would suggest counting a lot to get the kids involved in examining the pictures.
November 25, 2025
It is pretty hard for me to get past the fact that these little ducks skate past the no-skating sign and have a great time. Yeah, the ice was closed due to snow, not thin ice, but are little kids going to understand that (and who closes ice due to snow?)
April 28, 2018
Winter stortime
January 6, 2020
Five pairs of duck siblings venture outdoors to skate and play in the wintry wonderland. Extra cues for counting 5 ducks with ten boots & skates. Used for winter storytime.
May 4, 2022
A cute little rhyming book about skating ducks!
August 18, 2022
I love this series. Cute ducks, fun adventures, rhyming text using complex words, and beautiful watercolor illustrations.
January 23, 2024
Cute winter fun storytime pick! 18 month old seemed to enjoy it too
December 26, 2024
great for a duck, winter, ice skating, or snowball fighting storytime :)
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February 5, 2026Library storytime
January 14, 2021
Loved the rhyme, loved the counting, adored the illustrations. Everything about this book is perfect except the ducks not following the no skating sign! I took off two stars for this. Skating on bodies of water is no joke and I want my little ducklings to take warnings seriously.
January 29, 2013
Duck Skates has five ducks can be used in a mathematical way and counting there boots. You can talk about the weather how it is snowing and what you can wear for that weather. It also shows activities to do outside in the snow and is being active at home.
Learning Extension
In the art center teacher can have a duck cut out where they can paint/color in their duck, along with and cut up dress up outfits to dress up the duck, according to how the weather is outside to get ready to play outside.
Learning Extension
In the art center teacher can have a duck cut out where they can paint/color in their duck, along with and cut up dress up outfits to dress up the duck, according to how the weather is outside to get ready to play outside.
January 15, 2011
This is a very cute story. I find it a bit too long for storytime for younger children but, is great for one to one reading. The illustrations are DARLING. I did make flannel board pieces for this book and I used the duck, coats, boots, hats and mittens during a winter storytime to illustrate appropriate seasonal dress.
January 14, 2013
Nice rhythm and pleasant watercolor illustrations make this book about five ducks who enjoy a day of ice skating a good bedtime read. Probably not enough action in either the illustrations or story to engage a group read, and even though it is a counting book, there are the counting "cues" to really invite students to count on their own. Better for lap reading.
December 10, 2015
The book is cute, I won't deny that. the rhyming gets a little tiresome in a "one-two, the monkey loves you" kind of way. It would definitely be a good book for the 3-4 age range. I am doing a winter-themed story time for the 4-7 age range and so it doesn't really fit, although I let the kids pick and sometimes their selections surprise me.
October 2, 2013
Duck Skates is a sweet little tale of five ducklings who enjoy a day of ice-skating and playing in the snow. This would be a fun book to share with your little ones. Interest level 5 or younger.
September 29, 2025
It's a snowy day, and five ducks dress out to play. Into the snow they go with skates to zip back and forth across the frozen pond. After the play day is done, they all head home to enjoy the warmth of indoors.
September 16, 2009
Love the rhyming story and the sweet illustrations. :)
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July 22, 2015"ice skate" on carpet by shuffling with wax paper under your feet
August 6, 2010
Not really relevant for those of us living in Phoenix, but super cute rhymes make it easy for children to make sense of the story. Also good for making predictions as you read to the child.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews