Ducks Fly

Dabcovich's stories could serve as models for preschool picture books. With minimal text peppering her refreshingly unpretentious illustrations, she creates compelling, fully realized tales that are perfectly tuned to the youngest audience. Here, mother duck is teaching her offspring to fly. Everyone cooperates except the runt (easily spotted by his pinfeathers), who is too interested in the sights and sounds of his river home to pay attention. While his brothers and sisters sail off skyward, the little one paddles contentedly downstream, where, in a triumphant conclusion, an unexpected obstacle leaves him no choice but to try his wings. Like Robert McCloskey before her, Dabcovich ( Sleepy Bear ; Mrs. Huggins & Her Hen Hannah ) manages without anthropomorphizing to imbue her ducks with expression and personality. Ages 2-4. (May)