After many unsuccessful attempts, Ducky finally finds a companion—or so he thinks—in this sweet tale of first friendship. Mallat's (Brave Bear) full-bleed mixed-media spreads burst with springtime green, sky blue and buttercup yellow, as the hero moves through a pondside flowerbed in pursuit of playmates. ("He quacks and squawks calling Frog to come play,/ but Frog is too busy hip-hopping away.") Eventually, as Ducky swims, he discovers a friend who mirrors his every move. (" 'Hello there,' quacks Ducky. 'Have you come to play?/ I hope you're not busy. Please, don't swim away.' ") He does not seem to notice that his newfound friend never replies. Youngsters will no doubt find the inside joke funny. And, although Mallat's sometimes forced rhyme makes for a choppy read-aloud, the simple story's uplifting ending (with its subtle moral that sometimes one's own company is best of all), on-target humor and sunny illustrations make this a pleasant choice for the preschool audience. Ages 2-5. (Aug.)
