Duncan the Dancing Duck

by Syd Hoff

Back cover
All Duncan wants to do is dance. He dances for everyone on the farm. Then the farmer and his wife take Duncan to the city. Duncan becomes so famous that he gets a big show business award. Duncan is happy. But he is tired of dancing. So he goes back to the pond. And he does one last dance, just for his mother.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Whether you’re seven or seventy, the chances are you’ve probably come in contact with one of his many books (150 plus), or cartoons that have appeared in over 200 magazines in the course of his lifetime, including Laugh it Off which was syndicated for 20 years. His comic strip Tuffy, about a little girl who did funny things, was declared essential for national morale during WWII by William Randolph Hearst.

Syd has worked in diverse genres. He had the distinct honor of working with Alfred Hitchcock and Ellery Queen as a contributor of short fiction writing. He was awarded national advertising commissions for large companies such as Chevrolet, Maxwell House Coffee and others. He had his own TV show (Tales of Hoff on CBS), traveled the world as entertainment on cruise ships and entertained children and teachers in schools and libraries across the country.

Reviews

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

You never know what you'll find on a farm, particularly in a Syd Hoff easy reader. In Duncan the Dancing Duck, a star is born when a little duck named Duncan chooses not to quietly drift across the pond in a neat line with his brothers and sisters. Duncan would rather spend his time dancing, much to his mother's consternation. The other farm animals conform to expectations; why won't Duncan? When Duncan parades into the farmhouse to continue his dancing, the farmer and his wife marvel at the clever bird. He even tiptoes around furniture and between dishes stacked on the kitchen counter, careful not to bump anything. An animal this amusing deserves an audience, and that's just what the farmer intends to get for Duncan.

From dancing at a live performance hall to putting on a show for television cameras, Duncan's poise and showmanship never falter. The dancing duck becomes a celebrity, winning fans in every part of the world. At a gala event in Hollywood, he graciously accepts the Golden Duck Award and celebrates with his trademark dance. But even an "It" duck grows weary from entertaining fans, and longs to recharge by returning to his old stomping grounds, where friends and family will treat him the same as ever despite their pride in him. There's nothing like going back to your roots to make you realize how far you've come.

Not every duck is cut out for the simple life, puttering around the pond all day in a straight row. A duck who dances will draw strange looks from others of its kind who don't see the appeal of individual expression, but a bird like Duncan must be true to himself to be happy. Pursuing your special talent may lead to venues you never dreamed would be open to you, delighting people who love what you do as only you can do it. It all begins with the courage to start dancing.

Syd Hoff is a wonderful writer and artist, and Duncan the Dancing Duck is a smile-worthy story. It's not as deep as Who Will Be My Friends? or The Horse in Harry's Room, but it isn't intended to be. This happy little book about an offbeat barnyard bird encourages kids to follow their own unconventional dreams, and I can't ask much more of Syd Hoff than that. It's easy to see why Duncan the Dancing Duck has been a favorite for generations of children.

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Duncan the Dancing Duck by Syd Hoff- Hindi language translation by Arvind Gupta- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the story of Duncan and the mother duck family who reside in a pond. Mother Duck instructs Duncan to move in straight line. All her sister’s move in the pond in a straight line. Duncan is different. Duncan comes out of the pond. She dances in the farm, she sees the pigs in the sty, the cow in the shed. She enters the house of the farmer. Duncan dances in the farmer’s residence. She does not drop any utensils on the kitchen. Farmer takes Duncan to a movie hall. Duncan dances. People are happy. Duncan’s dance is displayed on Television. Subscribers appreciate her dance. She is granted Golden Duck Award. Duncan returns back home. She wishes to stay with her family only. Now, Duncan moves in the pond with her sisters in a straight line. Coloured illustrations help the reader in relating to the story. I have read the Hindi language translation of this book.

[☁︎ ☾ ｡⋆ morgan ⋆｡☽ ☁︎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Duncan is SO CUTE and everyone needs to be his friend immediately. including me. Duncan, can i please be your friend? this was simply adorable and a great story about beating to your own drum. 4.5/5 because it could have more to it...and the .5 is because this reminds me of my girlfriend which is always a giant plus.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silly and cute story about a dancing duck. Sentences were manageable for a Level 2 reader, and the art was funny.

[Marlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Duncan the duck likes to dance and dance he does, until he decided to swim. Interesting story about an animal following it's dreams. Great conversation starters in this book.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A silly story about a dancing duck

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story about a duck who likes to dance and how he goes about following his dreams by being his authentic self. My rating - 3/5

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I was shelving, this book said "read me" since the illustrations looked cute and the author is one I grew up reading. The story was as cute as the illustrations. Simple. As with other Hoff books, a possible choice for beginning readers (who are past the very beginning stages). Could work as a filler in preschool storytime but I don't think it's one that would impress the large crowd. More of a that-was-cute lap-read.

10/17/12 This was ok in my bird-themed storytime. I had planned on doing a dance party for my Play Time portion, and thought this would lead in quite well. However, I had a ton of newbies to my preschool storytime, and many of them were toddlers. So by this 4th book, they had completely lost attention. And it seeped over to my preschoolers who are usually just fine with a 4th. Oh well.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very fun book to teach children to 'be who you are'. Duncan the duck likes to dance, he doesn't like to line up with his siblings. He heads out dancing all over the farm, the farmers see him and want others to see him too. He becomes really famous. But he starts getting tired and goes home to his Mama. She tells him she is proud of him. And he's ready to join his siblings in line. He dances once more for his Mama.

[Kayla Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book allows children to see that they are able to accomplish anything if they put their mind to it. I believe that this book had some added humor as well because children are going to think a dancing duck is funny. The book is also for enjoyment for ages 2-5.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

book about a duck who dances his way to fame but comes home to mom.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very good for beginning readers. The words should be easy to sound out and the story is cute. This book is highly recommended.

[Danette · Rating 4 out of 5]

7/5/18 Read with Naomi & Julia
1/14/25 Read with Skylar

[Deja Bertucci]

dancing, duck, fame, mama