Duck has a wonky leg so he uses a crutch. He is perfectly, perfectly happy living in his safe yard until ... Yes you knew there would be a complication and of course you anticipated what this might be from the cover illustration. A chicken arrives in the yard. Not just any ordinary chicken - a blind chicken - oh no. But wait do not feel sorry for this fellow because he is a chicken with a huge attitude and enormous confidence.
The chicken tells the duck today is the day for an adventure. Yes this is your classic optimist versus pessimist story and your classic or not quite so classic story of self discovery. Duck says NO NO NO. He will not leave his yard. The outside world is completely unsafe. The problem is the chicken needs duck to guide him since there are no guide dogs in the farm yard and so he persuades duck to step out of the yard and travel to ...
"Somewhere in the world ... there's a place where all our secret wishes come true."
The journey is filled with hazards - a dark forest, a huge ravine and an enormous mountain but at the top of the mountain an amazing discovery awaits chicken. Duck makes a discovery too - perhaps one you anticipated but still I guarantee this sweet ending will warm your heart.
Reading this book almost feels like a religious experience not that you need to be religious to enjoy this story. There are very deep themes (see my post labels) so this book will appeal to young children, older children and adults. Read the first chapter here. Here is an interview with Ulrich Hub.
I adore books from Gecko Press. They source some fabulous books from around the world and invest in translating them for children who speak English. Duck's Backyard was originally published in German with the title Lahme Ente, blindes Huhn which means Lame duck, blind chicken so I am glad Gecko changed the title. School libraries in Australia used to be sent books from Gecko Press when Scholastic Australia had the agency now it is with Walker Books Australia so you may need to hunt out their books. When Scholastic had the agency books from Gecko Press were often included with their International standing order titles and also in the Book Club brochures.
There is a sequel to Duck's Backyard but it is only available in German. I do hope Gecko Press decide to translate it.
You should also read (don't wait add them to your library basket today) these books:
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