Icky Little Duckling

What do our readers think of Icky Little Duckling? (Generated from the text of reviews of the book)

Children find the duckling cute, funny and delightfully messy, and they enjoy the bright illustrations and gentle friendship story. Some children feel the ending is less exciting than the rest of the book, but most enjoy seeing Mr Rabbit’s perfectly tidy life turned upside down.

What does the Pageticker team say about Icky Little Duckling?

Icky Little Duckling is a lively, warmly funny picture book about what happens when a very tidy rabbit meets a very untidy new arrival. Steve Smallman’s playful text and Tim Warnes’s expressive illustrations make the duckling’s sticky adventures excellent fun, while the story gently suggests that friendship and family life are rarely as neat as we expect.

Genres

What is Icky Little Duckling about?

Mr Rabbit discovers a smooth, speckled object in the woods and brings it to his tidy burrow. To his surprise, it hatches into a sticky duckling! Unprepared for the mess, Mr Rabbit tries to keep his burrow clean, but the duckling has other plans.

About the author

Steve Smallman is a much-loved British author and illustrator who has written over 100 books for children. He is well known for his funny and heart-warming stories, such as 'Bear's Big Bottom' and 'Poo in the Zoo'. Steve enjoys making children laugh with his imaginative tales and colourful pictures.

Discussion ideas around Icky Little Duckling

Neat or messy?: Why does Mr Rabbit like everything to be just so, and what might the duckling help him discover about mess?

A surprising friendship: What makes Mr Rabbit and the duckling an unlikely pair, and how do they begin to care about each other?

Making room: How would you feel if someone unexpected came to stay in your home, and what could you do to help them feel welcome?

What makes a home?: Is a home best when it is perfectly tidy, or when people and animals feel happy there? Explain your ideas.