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Be a Duck!: 8 Lessons from our Feathered Friends
What can we learn from ducks? Ducks are content, adaptable and lead a life of balance. They communicate, stick together and respect their limitations. This book explores the parallels that can be drawn between ducks and humans and lessons that can be learned to help us live our best lives. Learn how to let negativity ‘slide’ off your back like rain on a duck's back. Challenge your communication and knowledge to the benefit of the whole and not just for yourself. Do you have balance in your life, knowing when to ride the current of life and when to swim against the it?
- GenresNonfiction
101 pages, Paperback
Published January 31, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 17, 2021
The book we all need and so simple!
If you like Present Over Perfect or Chicken Soup For the Soul you’ll love Be A Duck!, the deceptively simple book that I believe I’ll use much like my Pocket Pema Chodron book, to keep nearby for inspiration, support and to help me stay buoyant when live threatens to pull me under.
In a similarly successful approach as The Tao of Pooh or The Te of Piglet, Be A Duck! Illustrates 8 lessons from our Feathered Friends that if grasped by us each and every day can provide wisdom, serenity and a source of strength.
A bit like Michael A Singer’s work in The Un-Tethered Soul, here Wendy Jarvis pares away the dogma and platitudes so prevalent in today’s ‘self-help’ books, and offers clear simplicity that when communicated through the habits, talents and instincts of ducks, ring within our souls as recognized truth.
This natural wisdom is a beautiful tonic during this time of upheaval but also in ordinary times will absolutely be treasured for its sound parenting lessons that go beyond styles or philosophies to the deep nature of love and attentiveness.
Bravo Wendy Jarvis! I hope to read more of your simply written booklets of keen observation!
—Anna Erikssön Bendewald
If you like Present Over Perfect or Chicken Soup For the Soul you’ll love Be A Duck!, the deceptively simple book that I believe I’ll use much like my Pocket Pema Chodron book, to keep nearby for inspiration, support and to help me stay buoyant when live threatens to pull me under.
In a similarly successful approach as The Tao of Pooh or The Te of Piglet, Be A Duck! Illustrates 8 lessons from our Feathered Friends that if grasped by us each and every day can provide wisdom, serenity and a source of strength.
A bit like Michael A Singer’s work in The Un-Tethered Soul, here Wendy Jarvis pares away the dogma and platitudes so prevalent in today’s ‘self-help’ books, and offers clear simplicity that when communicated through the habits, talents and instincts of ducks, ring within our souls as recognized truth.
This natural wisdom is a beautiful tonic during this time of upheaval but also in ordinary times will absolutely be treasured for its sound parenting lessons that go beyond styles or philosophies to the deep nature of love and attentiveness.
Bravo Wendy Jarvis! I hope to read more of your simply written booklets of keen observation!
—Anna Erikssön Bendewald
November 4, 2020
I’m starting off Non-Fiction November with a review of Be A Duck by Wendy Jarvis. This is a self-help book that challenges the reader to evaluate their empathy, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence through the lens of a duck.
I can honestly say, I had not considered modeling my behavior after a duck. This book brings forward some really interesting characteristics of ducks that can easily be applied in everyday life. Such as handling criticism and conflict. While a relatively short read, I recommend taking your time with each chapter, spending some time reflecting on how you could apply the principle to something specific in your life. It’s a worthwhile exercise and one I enjoyed.
I can honestly say, I had not considered modeling my behavior after a duck. This book brings forward some really interesting characteristics of ducks that can easily be applied in everyday life. Such as handling criticism and conflict. While a relatively short read, I recommend taking your time with each chapter, spending some time reflecting on how you could apply the principle to something specific in your life. It’s a worthwhile exercise and one I enjoyed.
May 23, 2020
I definitely recommend this book! I love how each chapter she use ducks/ feathered friends for example with 8 life lessons we face everyday and how we should handle them.
May 3, 2020
A great book with some wonderful insight!
July 20, 2020
Life lessons from a duck!
Wow! This is the book I needed right now. These simple life lessons from a duck are applicable in every day life!
Wow! This is the book I needed right now. These simple life lessons from a duck are applicable in every day life!
July 17, 2020
Book Review:
I want to be a duck after reading “Be a Duck! 8 Lessons from our Feathered Friends” by Wendy Jarvis. Ms. Jarvis has written a profound book that will have you saying “why didn’t I think of these very important yet basic concepts myself??.”
Let’s begin with the very idea that when ducks have water on them it just rolls right off their back. Well how would that translate to people. Very simply why can’t we “just let things slide.” We make ourselves worry and go over things in our head instead of just saying okay this happened and I’m just going to make the choice to let it go. We so waste our time on negativity thoughts
Ducks adapt to situations and what do people do? Most of the time we resist change. We stagnate and where does that get us? How about when change comes we just go with the flow!! As Ms. Jarvis puts it “ we either adapt to survive and thrive.”
Okay so now you are getting the picture of what this book is all about. Let’s take a look at a couple of other points that I found so true. We need to have balance in our life and do those things that keep us healthy and teach our children to do those things as well. “ Be a mother Duck and lead by example.” We want to teach our children most importantly to be strong enough to get through tough situations. “Denying children the opportunity to fail is denying them the opportunity to learn.” We want to give our children the opportunity to spread their wings and fly.
Ducks work as a team and give each other help without question. They communicate and give each other information without a price. They realize they have limitations and attempt to avoid dangerous situations.
I absolutely loved this book and thank you Wendy Jarvis for such a well written and beautifully insightful book. I give this 5/5 stars. I’m going to work hard at being a “Duck.”
I want to be a duck after reading “Be a Duck! 8 Lessons from our Feathered Friends” by Wendy Jarvis. Ms. Jarvis has written a profound book that will have you saying “why didn’t I think of these very important yet basic concepts myself??.”
Let’s begin with the very idea that when ducks have water on them it just rolls right off their back. Well how would that translate to people. Very simply why can’t we “just let things slide.” We make ourselves worry and go over things in our head instead of just saying okay this happened and I’m just going to make the choice to let it go. We so waste our time on negativity thoughts
Ducks adapt to situations and what do people do? Most of the time we resist change. We stagnate and where does that get us? How about when change comes we just go with the flow!! As Ms. Jarvis puts it “ we either adapt to survive and thrive.”
Okay so now you are getting the picture of what this book is all about. Let’s take a look at a couple of other points that I found so true. We need to have balance in our life and do those things that keep us healthy and teach our children to do those things as well. “ Be a mother Duck and lead by example.” We want to teach our children most importantly to be strong enough to get through tough situations. “Denying children the opportunity to fail is denying them the opportunity to learn.” We want to give our children the opportunity to spread their wings and fly.
Ducks work as a team and give each other help without question. They communicate and give each other information without a price. They realize they have limitations and attempt to avoid dangerous situations.
I absolutely loved this book and thank you Wendy Jarvis for such a well written and beautifully insightful book. I give this 5/5 stars. I’m going to work hard at being a “Duck.”
May 17, 2022
When Drake (my Muse, for those of you who have yet to be introduced) and I discovered this author on an Instagram post, we were immediately drawn to her book, and curious about what she may offer in its pages. It had a cute and inviting cover, so I bought it.
This was a fun, slightly introspective, quick read. This simple guide uses ducks as the example we should all strive to emulate. As a lover of ducks, I agree, of course. Each chapter presents a specific duck character trait and then provides a way for humans to adopt that quality into our lives. A few of the eight chapters cover topics such as “Ducks Can Right Themselves,” “Ducks Are Content,” and “Ducks Know Their Limitations.”
The book touches lightly on each opportunity to grow more duck-like in our daily habits, but unfortunately, only scratches the surface of what could have been a deeper conversation. I enjoyed the whimsical approach to these philosophical ideas, but craved more from this author, as clearly, she understands both duck supremacy and human potential.
I was a little frustrated with the formatting and the editorial errors, as the author is also a teacher, and because of this, my expectations were set a little higher. That being said, if this author were to write a sequel that investigates this conversation with more detail, and is professionally edited and formatted, I would certainly buy it.
This was a fun, slightly introspective, quick read. This simple guide uses ducks as the example we should all strive to emulate. As a lover of ducks, I agree, of course. Each chapter presents a specific duck character trait and then provides a way for humans to adopt that quality into our lives. A few of the eight chapters cover topics such as “Ducks Can Right Themselves,” “Ducks Are Content,” and “Ducks Know Their Limitations.”
The book touches lightly on each opportunity to grow more duck-like in our daily habits, but unfortunately, only scratches the surface of what could have been a deeper conversation. I enjoyed the whimsical approach to these philosophical ideas, but craved more from this author, as clearly, she understands both duck supremacy and human potential.
I was a little frustrated with the formatting and the editorial errors, as the author is also a teacher, and because of this, my expectations were set a little higher. That being said, if this author were to write a sequel that investigates this conversation with more detail, and is professionally edited and formatted, I would certainly buy it.
August 14, 2020
Being a keen observer, Wendy Jarvis has always been influenced by the behavior of ducks and believes that humans have a lot they can learn from them.
In her book, she highlights various attributes from the ducks that we can inculcate in our lives and habits. These are not some out-of-world lessons but rather lessons that has been forgotten by people over time and in order to lead a happy and active life, we must make a conscious effort to bring them back into our lives.
With examples from the way ducks live as well as a plethora of stories of personal experience, she successfully iterates important lessons like letting things go rather than taking everything to heart, adapting to circumstances, performing functions not to impress others but for yourself, not indulging a lot in technology, righting ourselves when we’re wrong and the most important, being willing to accept our mistakes and bring about the change needed.
Even though it is a short read, it highlights a lot of important things that we need to remember and learn. I hope you read this book and gain insight to what we’ve forgotten.
Lastly, I’d like to say that ‘Maybe we could all learn to BE A DUCK’.
In her book, she highlights various attributes from the ducks that we can inculcate in our lives and habits. These are not some out-of-world lessons but rather lessons that has been forgotten by people over time and in order to lead a happy and active life, we must make a conscious effort to bring them back into our lives.
With examples from the way ducks live as well as a plethora of stories of personal experience, she successfully iterates important lessons like letting things go rather than taking everything to heart, adapting to circumstances, performing functions not to impress others but for yourself, not indulging a lot in technology, righting ourselves when we’re wrong and the most important, being willing to accept our mistakes and bring about the change needed.
Even though it is a short read, it highlights a lot of important things that we need to remember and learn. I hope you read this book and gain insight to what we’ve forgotten.
Lastly, I’d like to say that ‘Maybe we could all learn to BE A DUCK’.
July 15, 2020
Basic Life Skills Humankind Needs to Relearn
I truly enjoyed reading "Be a Duck"! This is a book very relevant for our younger generations. Gen Y (Millenials) and Gen Z. As our technologies advance and our obsession and reliance on them consumes our natural human abilities and instincts, this book offers wisdom through brilliant comparison to the instinctive behaviors of ducks!
Have I ever thought to compare my human behaviors to a duck? No. But Wendy Jarvis has beautifully explained exactly why we can learn so much from the behaviors and lifestyles of these feathered creatures. She shares interesting facts and insights about the lives of ducks and how their innate skills of self awareness, self management, communication and community can transfer to our own human lives.
Can humankind regain the natural, basic skills necessary for happy and healthy lives through the example of ducks? I HOPE SO! Grab your copy today and spread the wisdom to your flock.❤
I truly enjoyed reading "Be a Duck"! This is a book very relevant for our younger generations. Gen Y (Millenials) and Gen Z. As our technologies advance and our obsession and reliance on them consumes our natural human abilities and instincts, this book offers wisdom through brilliant comparison to the instinctive behaviors of ducks!
Have I ever thought to compare my human behaviors to a duck? No. But Wendy Jarvis has beautifully explained exactly why we can learn so much from the behaviors and lifestyles of these feathered creatures. She shares interesting facts and insights about the lives of ducks and how their innate skills of self awareness, self management, communication and community can transfer to our own human lives.
Can humankind regain the natural, basic skills necessary for happy and healthy lives through the example of ducks? I HOPE SO! Grab your copy today and spread the wisdom to your flock.❤
July 14, 2020
This is a quick, quirky, and fun read. Short and full of life lessons that remind us of the things we should be doing. Unplug. Be nice to others. Together is better. Being a part of a community and helping others is not weak. Why compete when we can share knowledge?
I have never really thought about ducks as creatures to learn from. I learned a lot about them while having a cup of coffee. It turns out we can learn a lot more from ducks than I thought.
This is a great book to read during a short break or with coffee or tea in the AM. It's a great reminder that there is more to life that social acceptance and the want to have more. So be more like a duck and live life happy.
I appreciate the author bringing this book to my attention. I'm happy I bought and read it. I was not given this book in exchange for a review and any opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone.
I have never really thought about ducks as creatures to learn from. I learned a lot about them while having a cup of coffee. It turns out we can learn a lot more from ducks than I thought.
This is a great book to read during a short break or with coffee or tea in the AM. It's a great reminder that there is more to life that social acceptance and the want to have more. So be more like a duck and live life happy.
I appreciate the author bringing this book to my attention. I'm happy I bought and read it. I was not given this book in exchange for a review and any opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone.
June 28, 2020
A different read to my usual by genres, @wendy_jarvis_author has written a fun self help book on how to Be a Duck! 🦆 Curious? She compares 8 life lessons that our feathered friends have mastered better than us and explains how we can utilize these to our advantage. The first lesson is a goodie - letting things not get to you like water off a ducks back. It’s a quick read with some good aspects that can be put to use in today’s crazy times.
July 6, 2020
If you are down by the waterside with youngish children feeding the ducks and want to explain to them some of the things that people could do with paying attention to, then this is a pretty good place to start. This is how I imagine the author, as she narrates her way through taking life as it comes, being adaptable, finding balance, communication and other such topics. It is definitely quirky and niche market … but fun, informative and well worth a read.
February 9, 2022
Very cute
How adorable! Be a Duck exceeded my expectations. It's short, breezy, and is easily finished in one sitting. Author Wendy Jarvis provides us with sweet anecdotes from the lives of ducks and gives us a directive: what if we could live like them? Wouldn't it be a more pleasant world if we could all just let things roll off our backs, communicate better with one another, and rake care of each other? Overall, very cute. Its a recommended from me.
How adorable! Be a Duck exceeded my expectations. It's short, breezy, and is easily finished in one sitting. Author Wendy Jarvis provides us with sweet anecdotes from the lives of ducks and gives us a directive: what if we could live like them? Wouldn't it be a more pleasant world if we could all just let things roll off our backs, communicate better with one another, and rake care of each other? Overall, very cute. Its a recommended from me.
July 7, 2020
This is a lovely short, easy to read book full of sound advice.
The idea is that we can learn 8 life lessons from ducks - eg. "water off a duck's back". I enjoyed how quickly the writing flowed and how there were gems of information within the short chapters.
The idea is that we can learn 8 life lessons from ducks - eg. "water off a duck's back". I enjoyed how quickly the writing flowed and how there were gems of information within the short chapters.
October 12, 2020
This is a super cute, well-written quick read inspiration book. I want to be a duck! What a fun read that also challenges us to be more duck-like and adapt to new situations, be kind, and overall better people by learning from some of the cutest animals around.
November 23, 2021
Read this the night before a job interview, I'd like to think it helped. Interesting perspective and lessons, some easily adaptable, while others would take some work (reconditioning your brain). All in all? Definitely worth reading. Thanks for recommending 😻
December 21, 2021
A new take on introspection!
Who knew ducks were such good role models? Apparently Wendy Jarvis! In her book, Be a Duck!, Jarvis compares human behavior with that of her fowl friends, illustrating how we humans could benefit from their example. Food for thought!
Who knew ducks were such good role models? Apparently Wendy Jarvis! In her book, Be a Duck!, Jarvis compares human behavior with that of her fowl friends, illustrating how we humans could benefit from their example. Food for thought!
April 10, 2022
I bought this book to read to my 10 year old daughter, who is a duck aficionado, only to find many lessons I can apply to my own life. The author does an excellent job of finding wisdom in the lives of ducks and making it all applicable to humans.
June 13, 2021
Delightful little book with insight
If you need a break and some light reflection, this is a great little book that is refreshing in insight and gives some food for thought on how we can simplify our lives. Be a duck!
If you need a break and some light reflection, this is a great little book that is refreshing in insight and gives some food for thought on how we can simplify our lives. Be a duck!
June 26, 2020
Timely
Given the state of the world right now this book has a ton of lessons everyone needs to consider and take notice of, children and adults alike. Being adaptable and aware enough of who we are to change when needed, to accept responsibility for who we want to be and want needs to be done to not reach that ideal but thrive when we do.
Given the state of the world right now this book has a ton of lessons everyone needs to consider and take notice of, children and adults alike. Being adaptable and aware enough of who we are to change when needed, to accept responsibility for who we want to be and want needs to be done to not reach that ideal but thrive when we do.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews