Duck Tents

Five Little Ducks

by Lynne Berry, Hiroe Nakata (Illustrator)

In a small backyard, by a squat stone fence, five little ducks pitch five duck tents.

The five little ducks are going camping! They can't wait for a day of fun at the fishing hole. In the evening they sit around the campfire and toast marshmallows. But just as they're about to snuggle up tight and drift off to sleep, they hear a scary noise. Whooo can it be?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Animals, Birds, Humor, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 27, 2009

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

The five little ducks from Duck Skates and Duck Dunks return in this third picture-book adventure, this time setting out for a backyard camping and fishing trip. Pitching their tents, heading to the local stream, and enjoying an afternoon of fishing, they eventually return to their own backyard, where they have a cookout around a campfire. Then they hear an unfamiliar noise in the growing darkness, and they dive for their tents...

Like its predecessors, Duck Tents pairs an entertaining story told in rhyme from author Lynne Berry with cute, colorful artwork from illustrator Hiroe Nakata. I would imagine that this would make an excellent read-aloud selection, particularly for story hours featuring a summer or camping theme. Recommended to anyone looking for lighthearted picture-books with a camping theme, or featuring adorable little ducklings.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Five little ducks in five straw hats
Tramp through the woods with chairs and mats.
Ducks dig worms. Ducks bait hooks.
Ducks flop down with snacks and books.

I really enjoyed this pleasant tale of ducks gone wild camping. The rhyming scheme is great, and somewhat reminiscent of the classic Sheep in a Jeep. It would make a fun read-aloud.

[Villa Park Public Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a quirky, quacky rhyme scheme and idyllic illustrations of the great outdoors, we watch five fuzzy duck buddies embark on a camping adventure. But it’s a lot of work. The ducks go through all the steps like packing up gear, assembling their tents and taking part in outdoor activities like fishing and fire-building. And through it all, they learn that camping is better done together.

Check this book out at the Villa Park Public Library!

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Five anthropomorphized duck children go camoing in their back yard, fish in a nearby pond, roast marshmellows (without adult supervision), and find night sounds a bit spooky. Told in rhyme.

This was okay. If your kid(s) likes camping in the back yard, this might resonate with them.

[Ezekiel Felton · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've ever read, strongly recommend.

[Zach Rusnak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Duck Tents is a very good book for young children. The way the author incorporated counting into the book was very effective. The illustrations in Duck Tents also included counting which made the book even more effective. For example When the book says " Five ducks tramp through the oaks and pines" there is a illustration of 5 ducks tramping through the woods. Each time the author mentions a number there is an illustration to follow it up.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple story about five little ducks who camp in their backyard. Lots of rhyming.

Okay for preschool or toddler storytimes.

[Kati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have presented this story twice for children's story time, and it was well received both times. Very rhythmic and lovely storyline.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rhyming counting book with ducks going to explore the outdoors-camping, fishing, roasting marshmallows. It just seems so uncompelling. Ages 2-3.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story about five little ducks who go camping in their back yard. There's fishing, there's marshmallows. A fun camping book. Would be cute for storytime.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book because the duckies go off fishing: plink plonk plink. They all are in the water, and then they lost the fish [sad trombone].

[Jennifer Strong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute pictures. Little ducks go camping and sleep in tents, but get scared of nighttime noises and end up piled together in one tent. It was cute.

[Heather Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super funny and charming.

[Claire Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. Cute ducks, fun adventures, rhyming text using complex words, and beautiful watercolor illustrations.

[Meredith]

Cute camping rhyming story

[Catherine Woodman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is aimed at the 2-4 year old crowd, where counting is a big thing as well as learning your colors. The ducks go on a camping trip, so it is also a nice one for those who are trying to encourage an outdoor focus in their young kids.

[Rosita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Duck Tents by Lynne Berry, illustrated by Hiroe Nakata is an adore story of five young ducklings camping in their small backyard. They couldn't wait for a day of fun at the fishing hole. In the evening they sit around the campfire, hiking and toast marshmallows. The ryhming book has godd action and fun vocabulary: flop, yanks, lunge, lean, plunge, heave, haul, sprawl and dive. I wish the pictures had been larger for group use. These 5 ducks did almost everything in order. They enjoy their own company. As I was reading the story I felt a warmth feeling of love and support to each other. they cooperate to each other help. It was so fun to read to preschoolers. It was a colorful picture book.


Learning Experience: Have a small group with fishing holes to catch the fish in the middle ot the center of the group. The teacher will have cotton paste on a construction paper so the children can put the fish on the cottom balls. Once the child place the fish on the cotton balls he/she will win. This is game will courage the child that can do things for themselves.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Duck Tents by Lynne Berry, illustrated by Hiroe Nakata is a cute story of five young ducklings camping in their backyard.

Nakata's detailed illustrations are in watercolor and ink. My favorite images are pitch tents, five up, sprawl, lost, marshmallows, dive, and sleep.

The ryhming text is fun, with some godd action vocabulary: flop, yanks, lunge, lean, plunge, heave, haul, sprawl and dive. I wish the pictures had been larger for group use. The details may best be enjoyed by reading aloud to one or two children, though one can use it for groups. I especially enjoyed the squirrel participating in activities. 3.5 stars.

For ages 2.5 to 4.5, ducks, camping, rhyming, phonological awareness, read-aloud, and fans of Lynne Berry and Hiroe Nakata.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

My four-year-old son checked this book out from the library last week.

I wanted to like this book -- I just didn't. It has a great start, but about eight pages into the book, the rhyming scheme becomes so forced that is it almost painful to read it out loud.

The illustrations are cute and colorful, but I have a problem with illustrated animals that don't resemble the animals they are supposed to portray. These ducks do not look like ducks. And, apart from a few quacks, they don't act like ducks.

My son lost interest in the illustrations after the first few pages, and in the text not much after that.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book and it's beautiful illustrations. 5 little ducks venture out for a day of fishing and most of all, hanging out and working together. It is filled with great vocab that doesn't seem overwhelming or confusing to little ones because it is set in a rhythmic text. My favorite page is
"Shadows stretch through the moss-covered glade.
Damp ducks shake in the cool of the shade.
"Time for a campfire", two ducks quack.
"Come on, ducks! Let's all head back."

seriously, it's just adorable and awesome. Now go read it! :)

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this book. I wanted to like it when I read the title, and I was not disappointed. Delicate yet vibrant waterolor illustrations are equally as adorable as the text. Would be so cute for a camping, duck, or PJ story time. Can also be sung to "5 little ducks went out one day."

"Campfire flames burn down to coals-
Ducks toast marshmellows on their poles!
Outside crispy, inside sticky,
Chewy, gooey, finger-licky."

Henry Holt and Company

[The Library Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each book in this series (Duck Skates and Duck Dunks brings toddlers and preschoolers along with the ducks on a new experience. Here it's camping, and as usual, there is just enough text and adorable illustrations. Another winner.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are captivating & capture the sweet rhythm of this story of five ducks joyfully exploring the outdoors on a camping trip. Tactile vocabulary like "zoom," "yanks," "plunge," & "sprawl" creates motion. As has been noted by another reviewer, the text easily lends itself to the song "Five Little Ducks Went Out One Day," making this is a great storytime selection for toddlers & preschoolers alike.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Five little ducks go camping in the backyard. They spend the day fishing at the hole and evening toasting marshmallows. Suddenly, as night draws near they hear a Whooo. The ducks are all startled and a little afraid. What will they do? The book goes through the basics of camping, but what makes it special are the darling illustrations by Hiroe Nakata. There is something especially sweet about the little row of tents with the little beaks poking out.

[JustOneMoreBook.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and spunky with a tingling hint of backyard camp-out scariness, this irresistibly upbeat rhyming adventure breathes a long-awaited summer breeze.

You can listen in on our chat about this book on our Just One More Book! Children's Book Podcast.

[Miss Pippi the Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Five little ducks adventure out into the wilderness of the backyard! They camp, they fish, they roast marshmallows, and sleep in tents. I great book for the young storytime audience. The book can also be sung to the tune of Five Little Ducks.

2012 Storytime Theme: camping
2024 storytime theme: Storytime After Dark - Camping
Additional themes: ducks, fishing

Reviewed from a library copy.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

The five little ducks are back in another rhyming adventure. This time all 5 ducks are camping, pitching tents, fishing and roasting marshmallows. As the sun goes down the sounds of the night make it impossible for the ducks to sleep on their own. All five ducks end up in one tent, which is very similar to what happens to little ones when camping.

[Amy Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great camping book for the preschool set. Five little ducks go camping and do all those things campers do like roasting marshmallows and go fishing. Will use this one for my Let's Pretend storytime this summer.

[Christine Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

While on a camping trip, five little ducks pitch tents, go fishing, toast marshmallows around a campfire, and face frightening night noises.

The only thing that I do not care for is the text font. It would be difficult for a begining reader.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, colorful story and illustrations about five little ducks that go camping. When they hear "Whooo, whoooo, whoooo, they all snuggle up together after a fun-filled day of fishing, hiking, and roasting marshmallows.


Used for October, 2009 "Let's Camp-Out!" storytime.