Quackenstein Hatches a Family

by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, Brian T Jones (Illustrator)

Overview

Quackenstein Hatches a Family is a spooky and kooky tale about a lonely duck and his unexpected new friend, from author Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and illustrator Brian T. Jones.

Told in rollicking rhyme, this picture book introduces Quackenstein, a lonely duck in his “lair” at the zoo. One day, Quack is inspired to adopt an egg from the nursery and—much like his inspiration, Dr. Frankenstein—he’s shocked by what emerges from the egg. The “monster” chases him throughout the zoo in a fast-paced and funny parody of monster movies.

In the twist ending, the monster (actually an adorable platypus) and Quack resolve their differences and settle down as a not-so-spooky family.

Includes stickers

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781419757358
Publisher:	Abrams Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	08/31/2021
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	669,547
Product dimensions:	7.90(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	3 - 5 Years

About the Author

Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen is the author of many children’s books, including the chapter book series Purrmaids and Mermicorns, as well as the picture books Tyrannosaurus Wrecks!, Quackenstein Hatches a Family, Chicks Rule!, Chicks Rock!, and Roxie Loves Adventure. She lives in New Jersey with her family.


Brian T. Jones is a graduate of the Otis College of Art and Design. His work has appeared in the movie Art School Confidential, The New Yorker, Entertainment Weekly, the Autry National Center, and Risk Management magazine, among others. He lives in Pasadena, California.

Editorial Reviews

K-Gr 2—Quack the duck is grumpy. All the other animals in the zoo have someone to love and snuggle with, but Quack is alone. It doesn't seem to occur to him that the signs on his shack, "KEEP OUT ALL!! JUST LEAVE ME BE!" might account in part for his solitary status. One day he comes upon a basket of eggs with a sign that reads,"ORPHANED EGGS/HOMES NEEDED" and he decides to adopt one. He eagerly awaits its hatching, but when it does, he is horrified. What emerges is not the fuzzy duckling he had hoped for, but a red-eyed, sharp-clawed "monster." Quack runs away in terror, the "monster" in hot pursuit. Eventually it corners Quack in a cave and he fears the worst. When the monster says, "Hello, Dad," Quack's heart melts, and he and his son—a platypus—walk off, wing in paw. The idea that prospective adoptive parents would not only abandon, but would also be horrified when the child is not what they expect, or has a birth defect, creates a potentially hurtful scenario. The acrylic illustrations with touches of Photoshop feature murky blues and purples and are not likely to have a great deal of child appeal. Keiko Kaza's A Mother for Choco (Putnam, 1992) is an excellent antidote for the message this book sends.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

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