The Duck Never Blinks

by Alex Latimer, Alex Latimer (Illustrator)

Overview

Can you make a duck blink?

Probably not.

But you can try, in this irreverent and hilarious staring contest between you and a duck that never, ever blinks.

Do you see that duck over there?

That duck doesn't blink.
Even if you look away then look back real quick.
Even if you tell it a really funny joke!

Perfect for fans of interactive stories like Do Not Lick This Book and Duck! Rabbit!, The Duck Never Blinks will have kids and adults alike bawling with laughter as they spend time with this one very sly duck.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250885999
Publisher:	Roaring Brook Press
Publication date:	07/11/2023
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	29,066
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 11.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	AD330L (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 - 6 Years

About the Author

Alex Latimer is an award-winning South African writer and illustrator. His picture books have been translated into dozens of languages and have been published all over the world. He lives in Cape Town and enjoys spending time in the sea or in the mountains above his house.

Editorial Reviews

05/15/2023

An unseen narrator conspiratorially invites readers into a staring contest with a wide-eyed duck in this droll interactive outing. From the opening page of South African creator Latimer’s tale, readers are swept into a comical mission: “You see that duck over there? I’ve been watching that duck all day and it hasn’t blinked... Will you help me make the duck blink?” Having enlisted readers, the narrator tries shouting (“ARMADILLO!/ FIRE ENGINE!/ WOOLAWOOLA!”) as well as momentarily averting their gaze and telling the duck both a sad story and a joke. When nothing works, the narrator’s frustration level—and the text’s chuckle factor—rise (“Blink. Just Once.// PLEASE”). As the narrator storms off, instructing readers to watch the fowl closely, their regard is rewarded—at last—with a satisfying finish. Latimer’s centerpiece image of the simply drawn, unflinching white duck, in some scenes repeated across a grid of tiny panels that show changing light throughout the day, is funny on its own, but subtle changes to the bird’s face throughout—a teardrop, an open beak, a sideways glance—are an especially welcome treat for audiences who are no doubt keeping their own eyes glued to the pages. Ages 3–6. Agent: Paul Moreton, Bell Lomax Moreton. (July)

Publishers Weekly

"Simple and effective, sure to elicit glee." - Kirkus Reviews

"An especially welcome treat for audiences who are no doubt keeping their own eyes glued to the pages." - Publishers Weekly

"A perfect prelude to a staring contest." - Booklist

From the Publisher

2023-04-12
Despite the best efforts of the narrator—and readers—the titular duck just won’t blink.

Like Mo Willems’ Pigeon books, this tale plays effectively with narrator-reader dynamics. Speaking directly to children, Latimer opens with, “You see that DUCK over there? I’ve been watching that duck all day and it hasn’t blinked.” The narrator proceeds to suggest ideas for getting the duck’s eyelids to move: shouting, telling a sad story, sharing a joke. Nothing works, of course, until the narrator heads home for a nap and the duck finally closes its eyes. The delighted squeals of children will ring out as this book is read aloud; little ones are sure to love being in on the fun of trying to make the duck blink—and catching it in the act. The duck is the only thing we see in the book, its eyes wide, almost googly circles with pinprick pupils. It sheds a tear and cracks a smile, and though there’s nothing else to look at, the duck is nevertheless captivating. A well-done tight grid across two pages shows the duck in each rectangle, unblinking, unmoving, even as night turns to day and a leaf fluttering past nods at seasons changing. This will undoubtedly be a fun read-aloud for a lap-sitting child or a room full of preschoolers. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Simple and effective, sure to elicit glee. (Picture book. 3-5)

Kirkus Reviews