Arnold of the Ducks: 08/26/18

Arnold of the Ducks by Mordicai Gerstein is the story of a boy raised by ducks. Arnold is picked up by a nearsighted pelican as a baby and dropped in a duck pond. There a young family of mallards decide he's one more beak to feed and take him in.

Of course a human baby looks nothing like a duckling but when it's time for them to fledge, the ducks help Arnold don his adult plumage. In Tale Spin-esque logic, if it has wings and in this case, feathers, it can fly.

Arnold's transformation into a duck boy is complete and he spends his days soaring with his duck siblings. Until he stumbles upon his old home. A quick bath and he's back to being just Arnold.

You'd think Arnold's parents would be more freaked out by his disappearance. His vanishing is just taken as matter of fact and his reappearance is just as easily welcomed by running some warm water.

One could argue that all of these adventures have been within the confines of Arnold's back yard. Perhaps he has only been playing at being kidnapped by pelicans and raised by ducks. Perhaps his wings really are only collected feathers and mud, and thus the bath is the natural end to a long, creative day of play.

I don't know. Thoughts?

Two stars

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