Based on the song of the same title, a little white duck causes a commotion in its pond. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Whether readers were first introduced to this classic 1950 kids' song by Danny Kaye, Burl Ives or Raffi, Paley's (What's That Sound, Woolly Bear?) full-bleed, double-spread collages will bring it vividly to life all over again (those who are making a first acquaintance will find the music included). Paley stages the song as a play. As a guitar-playing mouse narrates, a duck, a frog and a black bug are successively introduced as happily "doing what [they] oughter... in the water." Then along comes a little red snake who clears the room, so to speak, by scaring the duck and frog and eating the bug, leaving the song to conclude, "Boo! Hoo! Hoo!" But the book itself ends on an up beat, with the bug, along with the rest of the cast, taking a bow as the animal audience clamors, "Bravo." Working with cut paper, crayon, pastel and washes of watercolor, Paley creates spread after spread of bold, dramatically cropped tableaux; her strong, graphic lines and compositions are handsomely tempered by the rich, aquatic-inspired palette. Her frog is an especially appealing creation, gleefully stretching his spotted emerald body across the length of the page, and registering expressions that range from languor to alarm. Luminous and full of movement, this art will demand repeated viewings. Ages 4-8. (Apr.) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information, Inc. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

PreS-A beautifully illustrated version of a favorite children's song. Using the premise of a stage performance, Paley has designed the title and verso pages as the prelude to the "play," complete with stage, curtain, and eager audience. Even the performers are waiting in the wings as the narrator (a little brown mouse) shows the musical score to the audience. As the performance begins, he strums a guitar while balancing himself in a rather romantic pose on a branch overhanging the pond where all the activity takes place. This minstrel sings while the players act out their respective roles according to the lyrics, starting with the little white duck followed by the little green frog, black bug, and red snake. Each character introduces a specific onomatopoeic sound that immortalizes his performance (be it a quack, glug, bzz, or hiss). Paley's imaginative, vibrant illustrations are rendered in cut paper, watercolor, crayon, and pastel and seem three-dimensional. A sense of movement is conveyed as the "actors" play their respective parts. The final page shows the thespians taking their bows and accepting kudos from the appreciative furry audience. A fine interpretation of a children's musical classic.-Susan Garland, Maynard Public Library, MA Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information, Inc. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Ages 4-8. This beloved song about a Little White Duck "doing what he oughter" gets a modern update courtesy of vibrant collage illustrations. Each verse of the song is sung by a small, brown mouse troubadour who introduces the animals (a duck, frog, bug, and snake) and their actions on the pond. The animals have adorable, expressive faces, and children will enjoy shouting out the appropriate glugs, buzzes, and hisses. The illustrations are done in bright and beautiful shades of red, blue, and green, creating a fanciful pond. An artist's note in the front explains how the stunning three-dimensional effect of the collages was created. For those unfamiliar with the song, music for the first verse is included. (Reviewed February 1, 2000)0316032271Marta Segal From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.