Odd Duck

Title: Odd Duck
Author: Cecil Castellucci
Illustrator: Sara Varon
Publisher: First Second (:01)
Copyright: 2013
Price: $18.50
ISBN:  978-1596435575
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: Theodora is a very particular duck. She wakes up, exercises in the pond with an object on her head (generally a tea cup), and goes about her errands. She does everything a good duck is supposed to do from eating the right food and reading the right book. She does add a little something odd to her errands though, but she doesn’t think this makes her strange. Her life is perfect and she hopes it remains that way.

Enter a new neighbor. Chad is almost the complete opposite of Theodora. He has ruffled feathers, swims crazily, and considers himself an artist. At first, she rebels at the idea of getting to know him, but one night, she finds him stargazing like her and they immediately hit it off. A friendship blossoms and they do a lot together. One day someone exclaims how odd the new duck is. Who is it though and will Chad and Theodora’s friendship survive this comment?

A colorful tale of friendship is told in this hybrid (part comic, part book). Ultimately, this book sends the message of being true to yourself and the importance of friendship in a simple work that goes sweetly with the perfect cup of tea (or not when it comes to kids).
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Recommended Audience: elementary and up.
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Things to be aware of: Nothing. Kid friendly
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Further Thoughts: Adorable! Sweet! Cute! All of these words describe this simple hybrid book. Theodora is very particular and you know that something is going to upend her perfect world. Chat couldn’t be farther from her style, but they hit it off becoming close friends (although, it looks like more than friends in this kid tale). It is a great friendship tale, even if it is a very familiar tale.

The art is probably what helps this stand out and ducks. It’s about ducks who are similar to humans, but they still eat bland duck pellets. Theodora and Chad and the other ducks come to life in the art. There is lots of color and each duck seems different from the next. I also enjoy their curving, cartoony arms. It’s perfect for kids.

I suspect there will probably be more. I could see a story involving Chad teaching Theodora how to fly (or to overcome her fear only hinted at in this work), but maybe not. Maybe, they are just going to have this tale and be done (but I doubt it).

My only quibble with this book is a small thing. Theodora and Chad are friends, but they are awfully touchy-feely. They hug a lot and for the errands portion of the story they are linked, which, considering preschoolers having boyfriends and girlfriends, kids will latch onto it and believe there is more to this than the story lets on. On the other hand, I do enjoy the idea that you can be anything as long as you have a friend who cares about you. Theodora was so sure of herself at the beginning of the story and continued to stay that way. Chad came after and neither wanted to change the other. These are positive role models of friendships, and possibly romantic relationships geared perfectly for children.

Make room for this one on your children’s graphic novel shelf. So cute.
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Source: Netgalley Request