My book review of 'Dick the Delightful Duck' by Kaye Umansky and illustrated by Ben Mantle

by Kaye Umansky and illustrated by Ben Mantle
Recommended age: 3+
Dick the Delightful Duck
by Kaye Umansky and illustrated by Ben Mantle

Dick is known for always saying please and thank you, for listening to his friends in trouble or taking flowers when they're sick. But one day he isn't kind or helpful. One day he is grumpy and mean. Yet his friends respond in a rather surprising way.

Dick's friends are used to him being 'so nice', so are shocked at this strange behaviour. But they decide to help change his mood by doing all the things that he would normally do for them.

"We'll nod and we'll listen and bake him a pie, 
And offer a shoulder if he needs a good cry."

With some tender care and attention, Dick begins to smile again and he apologises to his friends for having a bad day.

This is a very lovely story with rhyming text and bold colourful illustrations. It's great fun and a reminder for us all to show a little tolerance, though there's really no excuse for bad behaviour!

Date of this review: March 2023
Book publication date: 2nd March 2023