Santa Duck

by David Milgrim

Nicholas Duck loves Christmas, and he is happy to try on the new Santa hat that's mysteriously delivered to his house. But when his friends see him and immediately launch into their Christmas lists, he doesn't know what to do . . . until he runs into Santa himself.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Holiday, Fiction, Humor

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 11, 2008

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute, fun little story about a duck who inadvertently becomes "Santa" for awhile. The humor reminds me a bit of Mo Willems with amusing little asides and kooky but lovable animal characters. I also love that the "spirit of giving" is alive in this book--but so is the joy of receiving! It's all well and good for children to learn that the best part of Christmas is sharing love and abundance--but, come on, when I was a kid I was TOTALLY the MOST excited to open MY presents! I appreciate that Milgrim remembers this about childhood ;-)

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Duck receives a Santa hat and coat, which he happily puts on. When everyone keeps stopping him and telling him what they want for Christmas, it takes him a while to figure out why and he becomes annoyed. Cute story about helping others.

[Pablo Vazquez Camargo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The door and her was good

[Joenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicholas Duck is very excited for Christmas. He opens up his door a couple days before Christmas and finds a package with a santa hat inside. He puts it on, and all of his animal friends think he is Santa! They tell what they want, give him lists, and bother him all the time. Nicholas even tries to pawn off the hat onto another animal, but is stuck with it. On Christmas Eve he's had enough, and then he runs into Santa. Nicholas Duck relays all the lists from all the animals, and is a big help to Santa. Nicholas feels very proud and would gladly help out Santa next year. Great for preschoolers.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find this book funny for several reasons. First, the things that the animals ask for, i.e. the chicken asks for a helicopter, a hot air balloon, and a hang glider, and a blimp. Second, the duck's confusion about why the animals are sharing their Christmas lists with him. Third, the ending, which I won't mention here so as not to spoil it, just know it is quite amusing. The children I've shared this with quite enjoyed it. The illustrations are very appealing and suit the story quite well. The duck is surprisingly expressive for a duck. There is a nice message here about giving being better than getting..almost.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicholas the duck is given a Santa suit and suddenly everyone sees him as Santa Duck. He is bombarded by animals giving him their Christmas lists; for instance, the turtle wants a really fast racing car while the rabbit wants a giant carrot cake "the size of a football field." Observant readers will appreciate the last page where all the animals are enjoying their gifts. Don't be surprised to hear young listeners singing "Jingle quack, jingle quack, Jingle all the quack." A humorous Christmas story with a sweet message.

[Ina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicholas Duck finds a mysterious package on his front porch and that is the start of an interesting adventure for Mr. Duck. The text is filled with humor, beginning with Nick singing "Jingle Bells" as only a duck could "Jingle Quack, Jingle Quack, Jingle all the Quack" (later it is sung in a similar fashion by a cow) The illustrations are bright and filled with fun, and the character's lists for Santa brought smiles to the faces of my story time audience. Very imaginative and very funny.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this in the Schoalstic book club for a $1 and decided to get it for my girls. We read it and my 7 year old really loved it.

Duck receives a package with a Santa suit in it. After he puts it on, all the animals start telling him what they want for Christmas. Duck has been looking for Santa anyway to tell him what he wants for Christmas but ends up relaying the animals' requests instead. Santa makes Duck his helper.

[Rachael Fluke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Santa duck is a darling story about a duck who dresses up as Santa and is bombarded by many of his friends with Christmas lists. Nicholas the duck feels overwhelmed until him and Santa meet up on Christmas Eve. He gives Santa the lists of all his friends and he is very thankful for what Nicholas the duck has done to help. This is a great book to show the act of giving and putting others before yourself around the holiday season. I recommend this book for 2-4 grade.

[Hannah Cobb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicholas Duck receives a mysterious package containing a Santa hat and coat--but when he puts them on, all his animal friends think he is Santa! Nicholas just wants to find the real Santa so he can deliver his own Christmas wish list. Lively illustrations and humorous dialogue make this a great read-aloud, especially if you use different voices for all the animals.

[Jennifer Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicholas Duck gets a Santa suit as a present, and while trying to find Santa he is mistaken for Santa, with other animals giving him their Christmas lists. Will Nicholas find Santa in time to avoid another year of socks and underwear as gifts?

Cute! The preschoolers have enjoyed this one in our storytime!

[The Library Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

The poultry seem to be taking over this Christmas--there are several duck/goose books out. This one is bright, funny, simple enough for a toddler but with enough sass for older kid/grownup appeal as well.

[Becky H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun book that we have at the library. My kids enjoyed it in December so when I found it on the clearance table while on vacation I had to get it. Then I read it to my nephews and they thought it was funny too.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Duck finds a Santa suit and hat, so he puts it on. But now all the animals are asking him for presents for Christmas thinking he is Santa, which increasingly frustrates him, done humorously through his comments. He finally runs into Santa and passes along the lists.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun story about a duck who becomes one of Santa's helpers. The illustrations are fairly simple, but they are very cute. And combined with a dialogue-heavy narrative, the story is a hit with younger readers. Great story to read aloud at Christmastime.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jingle quack, jingle quack, jingle all the quack! If you go to see Santa this year and hear, "quack, quack, quack" instead of "ho, ho, ho," you've just visited Santa Duck. But don't worry, he'll make sure to pass along your Christmas list to the man himself.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute book, where a duck gets a package with a Santa jacket and hat. The other animals keep telling Santa Duck what they want for Christmas. In the end he learns who gave him the suit, and what that person wants him to do in the future.

[Audrey J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like Santa duck Because everybody thought that said that's what I said the real Santa but it wasn't so everybody asked him what they wanted like they were cherry wood chitchatting to check in and am I that's how why I like the book .

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so cute! It has a great ending too:)

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

So funny! Duck gets a Santa suit as a suprise and then can't figure out why all his animals friends keep telling HIM what they want for Christmas. Very cute art and funny text.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

steve read it and says "cute, imaginative and encourages children that christmas is about others, not just what they want."

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really funny Christmas book. Would work one-on-one or in storytime.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holiday story. Cute. Good message (its better to give than receive)

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightfully hilarious!

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Duck finds a santa suit on his front step. After he puts it on, all the other animals begin following him around telling him what they want for Christmas.

[Tina B · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Christmas, Santa, duck, possible storytime, very cute"

[Miss Ryoko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh! Absolutely adorable!! I love all the side bar talking! Hilarious! Loved it!

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Duck did not know what he was in for when he puts on the hat and jacket, but he learns something new about Christmas and Santa as a result. This one made me chuckle.

[Rachael Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story with short sentences about farm animals thinking a duck is Santa.

[Katherine Cowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Santa Duck helps Santa with the wish lists of all the other animals. My six-year-old found it delightful.