FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

The web-footed fellow from Duck in the Truck drives his red pick-up through an interactive title in the paper-over-board Duck's Key: Where Can It Be? by Jez Alborough. As Duck searches the flowerpot, under the welcome mat and more, Frog hides behind a flap on each spread, holding the missing keys-until he can make his way to the ignition. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature - Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz

This bit of fun for the very young involves rhyme, the visual dazzle of a shiny key, and the exciting pleasure of lifting sturdy flaps to follow the simple story. Duck has his suitcase packed, but has lost the key to his truck—a mischievous frog has it. "Don't tell Duck," he smiles as he hides under a flap, and Duck searches. On each double page Duck looks where the frog has been, but the frog has already moved to a new hiding place. Finally, Duck discovers the key in the truck's ignition, where the frog has put it. But as Duck drives away feeling clever, we and the frog note that he has left his suitcase behind. A large, boldly painted duck and frog and a bright red truck create a simple visual narrative to accompany the simple questions in the speech balloons. Duck is so sympathetically drawn that we want to reach out and help him find the key. Astute readers will note that the steering wheel is on the right side of the front seat, because the book was created in Great Britain. 2005 (orig. 2004), Kane/Miller Publishers, Ages 2 to 5.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1-Duck is going on a trip but he cannot find the key to his big red truck. As he looks everywhere for it, a frog reveals to readers that he has it, but he says,"Don't tell Duck!" The vibrant primary colors make the story as much fun to follow as the search itself as children lift the flaps to see where the frog is hiding next. Dialogue bubbles in bold print serve as the only text and are terrifically engaging, and the large spreads are great for group viewing. A fun read-aloud.-Wanda Meyers-Hines, Ridgecrest Elementary School, Huntsville, AL Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Good lift-the-flap books provide a sense of discovery and the engaging pleasures of being a co-conspirator. This one from Alborough is a good one, exercising the bean while tickling the bone. It is a very simple affair: Duck, with his feather-fingered hands as big as Shaquille O'Neal and his cavernous orange beak, has lost the keys to his truck. But not so fast-they have actually been purloined by frog, who hides behind various features on the page and invites readers to join his game of hide-and-seek. Attentive kids will note a developing pattern and little clues. At 18 pages, the ruse won't be extended into cruelty, and the ending is a gift to the duck, who merrily drives off without his suitcase. The air of mischief is light and fun and the sturdy-paper construction should keep the flaps flapping for many a hard yank. (Picture book. 2-4)