This book is wonderful for boys and girls alike. My children beg me to read it! The art is captivating and the storyline is engrossing. I recommend this book regularly to my friends with 4-10 year olds.

This little book is about a family of ducks, and in particular Ping. The ducks are called in every evening, and the last one over the little bridge to the houseboat always gets a little wack with a stick from the master. Ping is afraid that he will be last, and one day he is, and he avoids his smack by hiding away. Of course, he almost comes to greater demise and loses his family but is at last re-united with them, where he learns that punishment is perhaps not such a bad thing and that rules are there to keep one safe. A note to those with sensitive children: Two of my children were a bit upset at what they felt was harsh treatment of the ducks, but the other child was thrilled and still asks repeatedly for this book. This book would be a useful addition to a Unit study on China as the people and the lifestyle of the fisher folk along the Yangtze river is well depicted. Line drawings with color. Note- the softcover edition will not last well through repeated use at a school.