Description

An irresistible read-aloud picture book, in which a little odd-duck-out discovers her unique strengths


When these ducks go to the pond, it is Bim, Bam, Bop . . . and Oona, always last. They’re all ducks, but Bim, Bam, and Bop are runners, and Oona’s a waddler. “Last is a blot on my life,” she says to her frog friend, Roy. “I don’t feel as big as a duck should feel.” But she’s good with gizmos, Roy reminds her. So Oona tinkers with things, scraps, and strings, and eventually creates just the right gadget to get her to the pond first.

Spunky Oona will inspire and delight all who see her final triumphant creation. With its fun read-aloud words (from Brrrrrring to OOO-hoolie-hoo!), her story is wonderful to hear. Its charming illustrations invite readers to imagine our own new gizmos, and her victory reminds us to look for our own special gifts. A tale about being true to yourself, building confidence, and finding friendship, Bim, Bam, Bop . . . and Oona is sure to bring smiles to readers and listeners of all ages. 

About the Author

Jacqueline Briggs Martin has published twenty-one books for children. Her picture book biography of a self-taught scientist, Snowflake Bentley, won the 1999 Caldecott medal. Chef Roy Choi and the Street Food Re-mix (cowritten with June Jo Lee) was a Sibert Honor book in 2018. Creekfinding: A True Story, published by the University of Minnesota Press, was one of the New York Public Library’s 100 Best Books of 2017; it was the Green Earth Award winner in 2018 and a Riverby Award winner.

Larry Day is the award-winning illustrator of many books, both fiction and nonfiction, including Lion, Lion, one of NPR’s Best Books, and Not Afraid of Dogs, winner of the Golden Kite Award. George Did It! received the Monarch Award, and Colonial Voices: Hear Them Speak won seven state awards, including the Carol Otis Hurst Prize. The Society of Illustrators has awarded Day three gold medals (so far).

Praise For…

"A tale to encourage young readers to find and follow their gifts, the story of Oona is also one of friendship and courage. It’s filled with literary devices, including simile, metaphor, and a bit of alliteration accompanies detailed, full-page spreads in pen and watercolor."—School Library Journal

"Budding engineers of any species will agree that Oona has well earned the right to feel ‘just as big as a duck should feel.’"—Kirkus Reviews

"Bim, Bam Bop … and Oona invites young readers to think about how their own ‘being different,’ can be an opportunity to use their own special talents and truly ‘fly high!’"—The Pirate Tree

"The pen-and-watercolor illustrations, immersively detailed, bring this farm fantasy to life as a lovely world."—Arkansas Democrat Gazette

"Spectacular."—Star Tribune