Duck and Penguin Are Not Friends

Brilliantly crafted and very funny; this is a lovely story to share with young children.  

Duck and Penguin are NOT Friends breaks away from traditional stories of toys getting along and playing nicely together. This story is quite different, because whilst Maud and Betty (the human little girls) are best friends, their toy Duck and Penguin certainly are NOT!  The toys do not want to swing together, play in the sandpit, bake or paint. It is only when Betty and Maud subject their toys to a bath and a game of 'ittie bittie babies' that Duck and Penguin finally realise it IS fun to swing, bake, paint etc, finally resolving their differences in a show of solidarity against playing 'babies'.

Aimed at ages 3+, this has a compassionate story at its heart, one of friendship and putting your differences aside. My children screamed with laughter at the misadventures of the toys whilst feeling a little bit sorry for the Duck and Penguin when they are forced to sit in prams with dummies.  The carefully drawn illustrations are an absolute delight, making this story very easy to follow for non readers. The facial expressions on Duck and Penguin are hilarious, clearly showing their dislike and disgust at the games.

Bright and colourful, children will find lots to look at on every page. My five year old son's favourite part was of Duck's look of mischievous pleasure at pushing Penguin off the swing; he was laughing for ages!

This book is certainly one for the book shelf, to be returned to again and again.

Picture book / Reviewed by Joanna Hewish, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 3+