Bates, Ivan. Keep Up, Duck! Bates Ivan, Illus. Addl. Creator Rachel Bates. Candlewick, 03/2024. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.99. 978-1-5362-0938-9. GRADES Preschool–Kindergarten. HIGH ADDITIONAL.
Puck, a small duck, has trouble keeping up with Mamma and siblings as they swim to the lily pond. Mamma keeps quacking “Keep up, Duck,” but Puck can’t, at least not until some inventive and funny moves help him not only catch up, but end up ahead of the family. Bates’s familiar watercolor and colored pencil illustrations beautifully show the ducks, their surroundings, and Puck’s antics. Those familiar with titles like Do Like a Duck Does (Hindley and Bates, Candlewick, 2002) will appreciate the familiar duck and the rhythmic storyline. A fun readaloud that will work well for preschool and kindergarten storytimes.
Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library