Duck, tired of his chores and duties on the Farm, decides to campaign against Farmer Brown so that Duck can be in charge for a change. Duck wins the election, but realizes that running a farm is much harder than he thought, so instead he runs for Governor. The same thing happens until he runs for President of the US and WINS! Duck soon realizes that being president is pretty difficult and returns to the quiet farm life he once knew so that he may write his memoirs.
Impressions
I absolutely loved Duck for President, and so did the students I shared this book with. I had the opportunity to substitute in an elementary school library and since I was there, I read a few books with the kindergarten classes and they really loved this one as much as I did. The story in this book is funny and easy to understand and follow, which is great for young readers. They really enjoyed Duck's journey to the presidency! The story line is also enjoyable for the adults that may be sharing the story with young readers since it has Duck playing Saxophone on a late night tv show and various other spoofs of political happenings. The illustrations capture the audience and the story keeps them entertained. I highly recommend this book!
Review
Just in time for an election year, the feathered troublemaker of Click, Clack, Moo (2000) and Giggle, Giggle, Quack (2002) enters the political arena, with sidesplitting results. Weary of chores, Duck organizes a farmyard election and ousts Farmer Brown—only to discover that running a farm is harder than it looks. So Duck moves on, campaigning first for Governor, than President, and winning each time by, well, a nose. Lewin follows Cronin’s lead in losing no opportunity to lampoon recognizable political figures. Seeing Duck flash a two-fisted “V For Victory” sign, edge out a decidedly Hillary-esque gubernatorial incumbent, play saxophone on late-night TV, and lean wearily on the presidential desk may amuse grownups more than children—but the comedy flows freely on more levels than one, and there’s sufficient hilarity for all. Seeing the error of his ways, Duck finally returns to the farm, and is last seen working not on chores, but, graduating from typewriter to computer, his memoirs. All things considered, he has plenty to write about. (Picture book. 6-8)
In Class
Using Duck For President would be an awesome way to introduce the presidency to young students. They could get just a bit of the information without it being over their heads. By using Duck's campaign, you could show some parallels between it and a real presidency campaign so that students can understand where it applies in a real life situation.
Citation
Cronin, D. (2004). Duck for President. New York: Simon and Schuster.
Unknown. (2004). Duck for President Review. Retrieved April 21, 2011, from Kirkus Reviews: http://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/childrens-books/doreen-cronin/duck-for-president/?spdy=2004
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