Margo's Musings!

Margo has found a story that is truly close to her heart. Lulu and the Duck in the Park by Hilary McKay is the book she wants me to share with you today. This is not a picture book, but a chapter book for young kids. It's a story that shines a light onto our furry (and not so furry) friends.

Lulu is famous for her animals, and she provides each of them with a comfortable home, taking extra steps to consider how they feel and making sure they are comfortable. All the kids love to see her pets, and she loves to show them off. Her latest mission is to find the classroom guinea pig a friend. The teacher, Mrs. Holiday, is not thrilled about this, and explains to Lulu that if she persists on bringing in other animals for the guinea pig to befriend, he will be moved into another class. Her best friend, Millie, pleads with her to stop bringing in animals, because she doesn't want to see the guinea pig leave. Lulu can't understand why Mrs. Holiday doesn't want more animals in the classroom.

Lulu and her animals

Her class often takes trips to the park, and when snack time comes around, Lulu always saves her last bit of  "shivery bites" (a recipe that Mrs. Holiday brought along with her from Scotland- a cookie-ish, apply, peanut-butter sandwich snack that comes after swimming) for her favorite duck at the pond. She loves to visit the duck and thinks about how wonderful it would be to have one of her own. One day at the park, on what is know as Duck Street, all the mom and dad ducks are tending busily to their eggs. The day is peaceful and calm, when something terrible happens. Two dogs off leash run wild and trample over everything in the park. They crash into the pond, chasing each other around. No one can catch them, even the owners. The children all huddle into the bandstand and watch the disastrous scene unfold. The dogs destroy everything. Many of nests are deserted, and the duck eggs lay broken on the ground. Finally, Mrs. Holiday turns to the dogs when they come around and sternly yells, "Sit!" They both settle down, and their owners take them away. The students can't believe that their teacher was the only one able to stop them!

When Lulu walks through the wreckage, she finds one last egg and stows it in her pocket. The only thought on her mind is "safe." What will happen to the ducks on Duck Street? Will the classroom guinea pig find a friend? Will Lulu be able to hatch her egg? You will have to read this lovely children's story to find out.

I truly enjoyed this book. It was a big hit with my whole family, as we all love animals and like to live beside them peacefully. It reminded me of a wonderful video that Patricia Polacco shared with her audience- it's a great clip- check it out!


Has anyone else read Lulu and the Duck in the Park or any other book by Hilary McKay? We would love to hear from you!

Happy reading : )  ~ F