Don't Fidget A Feather! (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition)

Erica Silverman is the author of several distinguished picture books: Mrs. Peachtree and the Eighth Avenue Cat, illustrated by S. D. Schindler; On Grandma's Roof, a Reading Rainbow Review Book illustrated by Deborah Kogan Ray; and Warm in Winter, illustrated by Michael J. Deraney. Big Pumpkin, her most popular book, was widely acclaimed. According to the starred review in School Library Journal, "the text is rhythmic and repetitious, making it a surefire success for story hours or read-alouds." Booklist called it "a treat," Kirkus Reviews "a nicely cadenced variant on the cumulative tale about a turnip. The author lives in Los Angeles, California, where she teaches English as a second language.

PreSchool-Grade 1?Brimming with confidence, Duck and Gander challenge one another to contests of swimming and flying, hoping to establish once and for all who is the "champion of champions." When the results are inconclusive, Duck suggests a freeze-in-place contest. A host of hilarious interruptions arise to break their concentration, but both remain perfectly still. The situation turns ominous when Fox stumbles onto the contestants and sees an easy dinner. He drags them into his den and prepares a savory stew, until, at the last minute, Duck sacrifices the contest to save Gander from the pot. The story closes with the two friends sharing a steaming bowl of vegetable stew. Children are sure to identify with these characters and their friendly, yet relentless, pursuit to do each other "one better." Schindler's soft illustrations capture the colors of the forest, growing appropriately darker as the crisis builds. As in Silverman and Schindler's Big Pumpkin (Macmillan, 1992), there is just enough predictability here to keep youngsters involved. The engaging art and energetic story line make this a perfect choice for reading aloud.?Lisa S. Murphy, formerly at Dauphin County Library System, Harrisburg, PA
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