Follow Me, Flo!

by Jarvis

Overview

Can Flo follow Daddy Duck on their outing, or will she get distracted? A lively read-aloud and visual treat from author-illustrator Jarvis.

When Flo and her daddy go to visit a relative’s new nest, Daddy Duck says Flo must follow him or she’ll get lost. Together, they sing a song with all the directions for the journey — up, down, in, and out. But Flo starts to make up her own words, and soon she gets so carried away that she wanders off. Oh, no — now a fox is following Flo! Where is Daddy Duck? What are the words to his song again? Jarvis’s cheerful illustrations and charming text will have young readers following and singing along with Flo.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781536212709
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	03/10/2020
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	1,222,536
Product dimensions:	11.20(w) x 10.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Jarvis is an award-winning author-illustrator and animator whose books include Tropical Terry; Mrs. Mole, I’m Home!; and Alan’s Big, Scary Teeth. Jarvis lives in Manchester, England.

Editorial Reviews

12/02/2019

A duckling named Flo isn’t big on the status quo; she rejects the “certain things that all little duckies must do every day.” Daddy Duck knows he must keep his rebellious offspring close by when they embark on a trip together, so he makes up a song: “Follow me UP.../ Follow me DOWN...” But Flo doesn’t like following—or her father’s singing—so she comes up with a song of her own. She’s so entranced with her own ingenuity and independence that she loses sight of Daddy Duck and ends up at an amusement park, where she realizes there’s a hungry fox only too happy to follow her. Jarvis (Who Is Happy?) strikes a forthrightly sweet mood, with a singsong text that circles back on itself for a happy ending, and mixed-media paintings in a nursery palette of soft, textured pastels (exceptions are bright yellow Flo and the equally bright orange fox). The only ironic note is the side-eye Flo gives readers when her dad is singing; even the most well-behaved readers will relate. Ages 3–7. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

Pastel and primary colors are woven together to create bright and eye-catching artwork, while Flo’s playful expressions shift through the emotions of happiness, frustration, and relief. This story is perfect for communicating to young children the importance of listening to their parents and the possible repercussions of not following instructions. A charming and interactive tale.
—School Library Journal (starred review)

Jarvis' brightly scrawled style creates busy, colorful spreads that are punctuated with many tiny insect friends throughout, leavening the chase scene; Flo is never completely alone. This lively little ditty is just ducky.
—Kirkus Reviews

Jarvis (Who Is Happy?) strikes a forthrightly sweet mood, with a singsong text that circles back on itself for a happy ending, and mixed-media paintings in a nursery palette of soft, textured pastels (exceptions are bright yellow Flo and the equally bright orange fox). The only ironic note is the side-eye Flo gives readers when her dad is singing; even the most well-behaved readers will relate.
—Publishers Weekly

Flo makes an utterly kid-relatable heroine as she rolls her eyes at Daddy Duck’s attempts to control her antics and engages in some playful rebellion. Jarvis’ art is invitingly busy, matching the enthusiastic text, and bold colors and bigger spreads make for easy viewing. Limber up your body and warm up your voice for this rollicking tale of taking the long way around.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

From the Publisher

★ 02/01/2020

PreS-Gr 2—Flo is a very mischievous young duck who does not always do what she is told. Her father tells Flo that they will be going somewhere new and that Flo must follow along. In an effort to aid the young duckling in staying on course, Daddy duck invents a playful song that he sings along the way. Drawings are done in a folk-art style. Pastel and primary colors are woven together to create bright and eye-catching artwork, while Flo's playful expressions shift through the emotions of happiness, frustration, and relief. This story is perfect for communicating to young children the importance of listening to their parents and the possible repercussions of not following instructions. VERDICT A charming and interactive tale.—Deanna Smith, Pender County Public Library, NC

School Library Journal

2019-12-08
A young duckling learns the importance of following directions.

Flo, a tiny yellow duck, likes to do things her own way. Instead of eating seeds and berries like all the other little ducks, she would rather have ice cream. And instead of preening herself clean, she splashes through muddy puddles. Daddy Duck, well versed in his daughter's wild ways, is worried when they set off to visit Auntie Jenna. He doesn't want Flo to become lost, so he sings a tune to keep her close. "We're off to somewhere new. / So stick to me like glue. // … / Follow me UP.… // Follow me DOWN.… / Look straight ahead and NOT AROUND!" The song doesn't quite suit Flo, so she makes up a new one. Unfortunately, her tune causes her to stray away from Daddy Duck—straight into the path of a hungry fox! Flo remembers the words to Daddy's song just in time and finds him again quickly. Reminiscent of Mabela the Clever, retold by Margaret Read MacDonald and illustrated by Tim Coffey (2001), another sprightly protagonist in a tale of fatherly advice, this plucky little ducky is sure to elicit smiles. Jarvis' brightly scrawled style creates busy, colorful spreads that are punctuated with many tiny insect friends throughout, leavening the chase scene; Flo is never completely alone.

This lively little ditty is just ducky. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews

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