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Make Way for Ducklings
Last updated Monday, July 7, 2025
Author: Robert McCloskey
Date of Publication: 1941
ISBN: 0670451495
Grade Level: 2nd (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jul. 2025
Synopsis:
Mrs. Mallard was sure that the pond in the Boston Public Gardens would be a perfect place for her and her eight ducklings to live. But when the busy streets of Boston become too risky for her and her family to navigate, the local police step in to make sure Mrs. Mallard and her ducklings - Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack - make it to their new home safely. A beautiful portrayal of one duck family's devotion and perseverance, this picture book is a wonderful representation of how families overcome hard times together and a compassionate reminder to trust in the goodness of humanity.
| Note to readers: |
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This story is about family, spending time together, plus a little travel along the way.
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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Where was the first place you traveled to with family outside of Los Angeles?
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Where would you like to travel to and with who?
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Have you been to a large park before? What did you do while there?
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Have you seen a real duck? Where?
Vocabulary
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Flap: moving a wing up and down when flying or preparing to fly
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Waddle: walk with short steps with a swaying motion
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Enormous: very big
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Honk: harsh sound of a car horn
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Rush: move or act quickly
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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What would you do if you saw a line of ducks on the street?
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Do you think mama and papa duck took good care of the ducklings?
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Who was a hero in this story?
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Is it important to be kind to animals and share a park with them?
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| Craft ideas: |
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Draw your own family of ducks
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Make a duck out of paper plates (search: Danielle's place lucky duck craft)
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Write a story about your favorite day at the park
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| Special activities: |
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Play Stop and Go as a duckling crossing the park or river
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Duck duck goose game
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REMINDER: if you don’t have air conditioning, on a very hot day your public library has AC to help
keep you cool.
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*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!
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