Firefighter Duckies!

In an inspired bit of ultra-dramatic silliness, Dormer (The Sword in the Stove) introduces a trio of steely rescue ducks. They wear enormous red hats and are ready to save the day, no matter how ridiculous the challenge: “They are brave. They are strong. They rescue... whales in trees! They are firefighter duckies!” This repeated litany and its laugh-out-loud variations serve Dormer well (ditto for anyone reading aloud) as the firefighters stop “rampaging” centipedes (who are so cheerful it’s unclear whether they know what it means to rampage), straighten out confused alphabet letters, and provide haircuts to shaggy monsters who can’t see where they’re going. The nonstop action unfolds in distilled spreads that make the most of the far-fetched cast and many improbable disasters—topping the ridiculousness of a whale caught in a tree is the fact that this particular tree has sharp teeth it’s using to chomp on the whale. Understandably, the firefighters become a bit overwhelmed, and at book’s end they’re grabbing some well-deserved shut-eye. Readers will be having too much fun to follow suit. Ages 4–8. Agent: Emily Mitchell, Wernick & Pratt. (May)