Duck on a Bike



Last updated Monday, November 4, 2013

Author: David Shannon
Date of Publication: 2002
ISBN: 0439050235
Grade Level: 1st    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Nov. 2013

Synopsis: Caldecott Honor winner David Shannon applies his wonderful off-beat humor to the story of a duck who decides to try riding a bike--and loves it! Another young, funny book perfect for reading aloud. One day down on the farm, Duck got a wild idea. "I bet I could ride a bike," he thought. He waddled over to where the boy parked his bike, climbed on and began to ride. At first he rode slowly and he wobbled a lot, but it was fun! Duck rode past Cow and waved to her. "Hello, Cow!" said Duck. "Moo," said Cow. But what she thought was, "A duck on a bike? That's the silliest thing I've ever seen!" And so Duck rides past sheep, horse, and all the other barnyard animals. Suddenly, a group of kids ride by on their bikes and run into the farmhouse, leaving the bikes outside. Now ALL the animals can ride bikes, just like Duck!

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Do you think a duck could really ride a bike?

Vocabulary:
•  waddle - to walk with short steps, swinging the body from side to side, like a duck
•  wobble - to walk or move unsteadily from side to side
•  pedal - to push the pedals of a bicycle around with your feet

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  What did the other animals think of the duck riding a bike?
•  Which animal in the book is your favorite? Which one would you like to see riding a bike?
•  How would the kids have reacted if they had seen all the animals riding their bikes?

Craft ideas:
•  Color and/or cut out farm animals. Make finger puppets by attaching to strip of paper that fits around your finger. Or attach to craft sticks for shadow puppets.
•  Make a picture/collage of an animal riding a bike. Cut triangles and circles for the bike, then draw or cut out the animal and paste together.

Special activities:
•  Waddle like a duck, then wobble like a duck on a bike.

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!