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The Giggle Gang #1
What Is Chasing Duck?
What is chasing Duck? Is it something wild and hairy? Does it have big teeth? Who will help protect Duck? Featuring Jan Thomas’s wonderfully wacky humor, rowdy repetitions, and hilarious characters, this book is sure to have young readers laughing out loud!
48 pages, Hardcover
Published June 6, 2017
15 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
About the author
Jan Thomas
30 books170 followersWhen Jan Thomas isn't working on children's books, she's painting pictures, playing the drums, backpacking, or wrangling dust bunnies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
November 2, 2019
A Neo re-read:
Able only to communicate with a 'quack', Duck is trying to tell his friends that something is chasing him. Furry, large teeth, and making headway, Duck and his friends huddle together, worried about what might be waiting for them. When all is revealed, it is not as troubling as they might have thought. In fact, it might just be a friendly neighbour helping out. Neo liked this piece and thought it quite funny that all sorts of animals would get scared by a simple *spoiler*. Have a read and see if you agree.
Able only to communicate with a 'quack', Duck is trying to tell his friends that something is chasing him. Furry, large teeth, and making headway, Duck and his friends huddle together, worried about what might be waiting for them. When all is revealed, it is not as troubling as they might have thought. In fact, it might just be a friendly neighbour helping out. Neo liked this piece and thought it quite funny that all sorts of animals would get scared by a simple *spoiler*. Have a read and see if you agree.
July 10, 2017
Jan Thomas books should be read as widely as Elephant and Piggie.
January 18, 2018
Not Thomas's best work, in my opinion, but I'm excited about her foray into beginning readers. Elephant & Piggie need someone to pick up the slack they left. Thomas is a worthy successor, as long as she doesn't slack herself.
April 8, 2019
This is not my favourite Jan Thomas books but it is kind of cute how the animals are all afraid of nothing.
June 20, 2017
Hilarious good fun about facing your fears
Silly
Silly
July 24, 2017
For those who like "elephant and piggie" this is the book for you.
October 29, 2017
So much fun! Will have kids giggling I'm sure, and has bright, energetic, lively, full-of-personality illustrations for characters who don't say too much. Perfect early reader books to fill the Elephant & Piggie void. Will be purchasing for my library, and likely young nieces & nephews also.
August 2, 2021
Duck is running scared and winds up also scaring Sheep, Donkey, and Dog. An amusing easy to read picture book with a well crafted ending and a gentle message about facing your fears. This is the first book in the The Giggle Gang series that will feature the same silly characters.
June 25, 2017
I repeat: I. Love. Jan. Thomas.
#classroombookaday (with There's a Pest in the Garden!)
#classroombookaday (with There's a Pest in the Garden!)
September 25, 2018
A 39 page book with very limited text.
Duck doesn't say anything but QUACK - however the other characters talk back to him.
I didn't really enjoy this book - but I'm sure for the right kid ....
It is a good book to read out loud with a parent because it encourages lots of "thinking" and talking points.
Duck runs up to sheep .. "You say it's something wild and hairy?" ... followed on the next page by a thought bubble from sheep translating that comment to a picture in his mind.
I think I might have enjoyed it better if it was 15 pages - allowing the thought bubble picture to be on the same page as the comment instead of on the next page. I mean looking at a page with just 1 cartoon animal on a colored background isn't exactly the most interesting, while on the next page the thought bubble gives a funny image of what the comment might mean ... just seems like a waste of paper to have to turn pages - it could easily have the first image on the left page and the thought bubble image on the right page.
Duck doesn't say anything but QUACK - however the other characters talk back to him.
I didn't really enjoy this book - but I'm sure for the right kid ....
It is a good book to read out loud with a parent because it encourages lots of "thinking" and talking points.
Duck runs up to sheep .. "You say it's something wild and hairy?" ... followed on the next page by a thought bubble from sheep translating that comment to a picture in his mind.
I think I might have enjoyed it better if it was 15 pages - allowing the thought bubble picture to be on the same page as the comment instead of on the next page. I mean looking at a page with just 1 cartoon animal on a colored background isn't exactly the most interesting, while on the next page the thought bubble gives a funny image of what the comment might mean ... just seems like a waste of paper to have to turn pages - it could easily have the first image on the left page and the thought bubble image on the right page.
June 15, 2017
Thomas, Jan What is Chasing Duck? EARLY READER Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017. $9.99 Content: G.
Duck is frantically running away from something and when Sheep, Donkey and Dog ask Duck what is chasing him they imagine a frightful creature. When Dog finally makes them stop running and face their fears an adorable squirrel is simply trying to return Duck’s turnip that he dropped. When squirrel leaves he drops an acorn and the four animals start to chase him to return his treat.
This book is adorable with bright illustrations and easy to read dialogue. Young readers love to read animals sounds and this book has those as well. The moral of the story is to face our fears and this simple story does a great job teaching that idea.
PRE-K, EL (K-3) – ESSENTIAL. Reviewer, C. Peterson.
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...
Duck is frantically running away from something and when Sheep, Donkey and Dog ask Duck what is chasing him they imagine a frightful creature. When Dog finally makes them stop running and face their fears an adorable squirrel is simply trying to return Duck’s turnip that he dropped. When squirrel leaves he drops an acorn and the four animals start to chase him to return his treat.
This book is adorable with bright illustrations and easy to read dialogue. Young readers love to read animals sounds and this book has those as well. The moral of the story is to face our fears and this simple story does a great job teaching that idea.
PRE-K, EL (K-3) – ESSENTIAL. Reviewer, C. Peterson.
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...
August 16, 2017
I am always looking for read aloud books for my youngest students and the two books by this author What is Chasing Duck? and There's a Pest in the Garden! may have caused me to laugh out loud. That has to be good, right?!? The illustrations are vibrant colors, the characters are sweet depictions of animals, and the use of speech bubbles allows for some nice involvement of the audience. These are simple stories, but they are gems and will be requested over and over again, I bet! There are nice moments for discussion as the stories have predictable endings with repeated incidents by the animal characters.
October 2, 2017
Another rehashing of the something's-chasing-me story, with inside jokes from the series (I guess the duck likes turnips?) and an ending that will likely need to be explained to the very young audience this is intended for. Fares slightly better as an easy reader, but I still think lots of reading-age children will either find it dull or not understand the ending.
Some fans of Elephant & Piggie may like this series. As for this title, I'd much rather go with Gorilla! Gorilla!, though that one has far more words in it.
Some fans of Elephant & Piggie may like this series. As for this title, I'd much rather go with Gorilla! Gorilla!, though that one has far more words in it.
January 5, 2018
Jan Thomas has a way of teaching children to read by luring them in with hilarious drawings and a good story, and providing them with just enough scaffolding to decipher challenging words like “vacuum cleaner.” They need no enticement to reread her picture books, and her new series of easy readers, The Giggle Gang, are no different. In this title, a terrified Duck relays the details of his encounter with a wild and hairy assailant with big teeth. The exaggerated movements and expressions of Duck and his friends perfectly compliment the silly story. A welcome addition to the growing canon of humorous, comic-book style easy readers.
February 26, 2019
This book is great for a young child beginning to read because of the colorful pages and simple text. When first opening the book, you are taken to the end pages which Duck covers repeatedly. The first few pages of the book are yellow, then it changes to blue, and finally to read. This little detail was something that caught my attention right off because most books contain white background pages. I loved how there was a mystery within the book and you do not find out what was chasing Duck till the end, then the book ends with a funny twist.
August 14, 2020
Title: What Is Chasing Duck?
Author: Jan Thomas
Lexile Level: 330L
Pages: 40
Recommendations and Comments: In this easy reader, Duck is fleeing an unknown creature. As they meet other animals and answers their questions, we get more details about their pursuer until finally the title question is answered. Thomas’s bright, engaging illustrations are a highlight of this funny tale. This would make a good introduction to a discussion of fears versus reality, or how isolated details do or don’t create an accurate picture of the whole.
Reviewed by Mr. Tom
Author: Jan Thomas
Lexile Level: 330L
Pages: 40
Recommendations and Comments: In this easy reader, Duck is fleeing an unknown creature. As they meet other animals and answers their questions, we get more details about their pursuer until finally the title question is answered. Thomas’s bright, engaging illustrations are a highlight of this funny tale. This would make a good introduction to a discussion of fears versus reality, or how isolated details do or don’t create an accurate picture of the whole.
Reviewed by Mr. Tom
June 27, 2017
Jan Thomas has a way of building suspense and surprise and making us laugh with her barn yard characters. Kids will love it! I was equally excited to use this book to show parents the last page in the book that teaches how to get kids ready to read in three (teacher loved and supported) simple steps: Read the book to your child, read the book together and encourage your child to read the book over again and again.--amen for these easy to understand and follow steps.
June 29, 2017
This early reader book has more than just simple text and a few rhyming words. I love the way the author takes the ingredients of a beginning reading book and throws in bright, humorous illustrations, great opportunities for young readers to make predictions, and a fun twist that will let everyone enjoy a giggle or two. Young children will be able to relate to running away from scary things and relying on friends to help face fears. This would make a great addition to any primary bookshelf!
July 1, 2025
Traded with a friend and got this book. Great for young toddler age to start breaking out of board books and transition to paper pages. Very kid friendly, and lower level text than most large read aloud picture books. Funny short story, would like to find more books like this by different authors to see what else is out there. Genre most closely related to mystery with a little thrill throughout the story, ending happily and safely.
October 17, 2025
We're so proud you read "What Is Chasing Duck?" You learned something important - sometimes we get scared before we know what's really happening! Duck thought something scary was chasing him, but it wasn't! Next time you feel worried about something, remember to stop and look carefully first. It might not be scary at all! You're becoming such a wonderful reader. Great job, sweetheart! Keep reading!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2017
What's chasing Duck? It has big teeth and is super scary... according to Duck. It's really a squirrel who was trying to catch up with Duck to give him his turnip that he dropped. When he drops his nut as he walks away, the squirrel starts getting chased by the whole gang of Thomas' animal crew.
Good for preschool or toddler story times.
Good for preschool or toddler story times.
February 15, 2018
This is another book in the Giggle Gang series that features farmyard friends who get into sticky situations. Duck is being chased and he summons his friends to try to get him out of a jam. They come up with some hilarious solutions that don't appear to be working. Repetitive language, expressive illustrations and lots of humor will keep beginning readers laughing.
March 26, 2019
Beginning reader in the tradition of Elephant & Piggie.
Duck is running away from something scary. His friends run away with him until Bear tells them to face their fears. They discover it's Squirrel who is trying to return Duck's turnip. He drops his acorn and the chase is on as he runs from the multi-eyed dark monster.
Humor for young readers.
Duck is running away from something scary. His friends run away with him until Bear tells them to face their fears. They discover it's Squirrel who is trying to return Duck's turnip. He drops his acorn and the chase is on as he runs from the multi-eyed dark monster.
Humor for young readers.
April 15, 2021
What a super cute level 1 early reader! Duck’s facial expressions are so over the top and hilarious, and that his fears about a hairy monster with big teeth ended up being fears toward a squirrel is just the icing on the cake. This early reader has all the charm that picturebooks and graphic novels have in their approach and format while still teaching reading skills at the same time.
June 8, 2017
A misunderstanding spirals out of control in this laugh-out-loud funny story about Duck whose theatrics cause his friends to overreact when he asks for help escaping from a mysterious pursuer.
Reviewer 1
Bright primary colored pages and outrageous characters typical of Jan Thomas contribute to this hysterical early reader ideal for emerging readers.
Reviewer 9
Reviewer 1
Bright primary colored pages and outrageous characters typical of Jan Thomas contribute to this hysterical early reader ideal for emerging readers.
Reviewer 9
June 28, 2017
Jan Thomas writes books that are laugh out loud funny and this new beginning reader is no exception. Lots of repetitions and few words on the page make this a good choice for the beginningist of beginning readers.
August 1, 2017
The picture book characters of Jan Thomas are not in easy readers! Duck is being chased and other join in to run from a mysterious creature. A nice and silly book that could pair well with Let's Sing a Lullaby with the Brave Cowboy.
Reviewed from a library copy.
Reviewed from a library copy.
October 15, 2017
Jan Thomas's books are great for beginning readers as it is. Nice to see her making a beginning readers series that might introduce her work to more readers who will now read all her books looking for that same funny story with few words.
January 31, 2019
Beginning graphic novel--really fun illustrations. I am excited to read more of this style from this author. This particular book would be great for teaching context clues! An exciting and suspenseful story for young children.
February 3, 2020
Not my favorite Jan Thomas, but a fun read aloud nonetheless. Duck can only communicate in quacks, but we figure out that everyone is afraid of something. Dog helps them to face their fears with humorous, silly results.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews