Arnold of the Ducks

by Mordicai Gerstein

Mistaken for a fish by a nearsighted pelican and deposited with a family of ducks, young Arnold learns to swim, fly, and eat like a duck until his curiosity finally leads him back to his human family.

Genres: Animals, Picture Books, Fantasy, Childrens, Love, Family

62 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Mordicai Gerstein was an American artist, writer, and film director, best known for illustrating and writing children's books. He illustrated the comic mystery fiction series Something Queer is Going On.

Reviews

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ugly Duckling crossed with Mordecai's true story The Wild Boy, with some extra whimsy thrown in. A story about mothers' love, human adaptability, and finding where you belong.

[Kest Schwartzman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dear parents everywhere; if your child has the opportunity to become a duck -including knowing how to fly- get out of your child's way and let them be a duck.

[Douglas Beagley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A children’s book that pulls no punches. Brilliant, creative, brave.

[Abraham Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great children’s equivalent to Tarzan of the apes!

[현순 최 · Rating 4 out of 5]

In spring, Arnold was scooped out of his pool by a near-sighted pelican. His mother was watching it, but it's too late. When Arnold started to cry, the startled pelican did a flap. Arnold tumbled out over the marshes. He landed in a nest of ducklings. When ducklings mother got back her home, she surprised. Arnold lived with them. Day by day he learnt how to walk, how to fly, how to swim. He became like a duck doing everything. In fall Arnold and his family went to Florida. Florida was Arnold's home. When he found a kite, he was caught by a kite. He fell down on the ground. His sheepdog found him. The sheepdog carried with him at his house. He met with his parents again. It's a little weird story, but children can have imagination and love.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the weirdest and coolest children's books I've ever read. I love this book.

Arnold is accidentally dropped into a duck's nest as a baby. Leda, the mother duck assumes he is a late hatchling and accepts him into her brood without question. Arnold grows up with the rest of the ducks, eating regurgitated mosquitos, flying(!), and catching fish in the water with his "bill."

The illustrations are funny and heartwarming, and the ending, when Arnold faces the fact that he'll never be a duck again, is sad, real, and poignant. Beautiful story, beautifully illustrated, with enough weirdness to avoid the pitfalls of sentimentality.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 2 out of 5]

One could argue that all of these adventures have been within the confines of Arnold's back yard. Perhaps he has only been playing at being kidnapped by pelicans and raised by ducks. Perhaps his wings really are only collected feathers and mud, and thus the bath is the natural end to a long, creative day of play.

I don't know. Thoughts?


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[Stan · Rating 4 out of 5]

By a fluke of happenstance Arnold ends up being raised with a family of ducks; he makes a pretty good duck. What fun! He learns to swim and fly like a duck, but he eats mosquitoes and other yucky things. The tables turn again and Arnold ends up back with his real family, but he remembers with fondness his mother and brother ducks.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

What an odd little story! It seems to offer a nod to Maurice Sendak, with an almost dreamlike experience that is both bizarre and unrealistic, yet adventurous and fun. Very strang indeed, but an entertaining story nonetheless.

[Georgia · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[lucy black · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read this out loud and when i got to the sad bit i got all choked up and it was very dramatic. it's so good and sweet and sad and funny and good.