Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell

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Summary It is no wonder then that this book has won the Smarties Book Prize.

Poor Duck, he has to do everything around the farm whilst the Farmer lies in bed eating chocolates and gets fatter and fatter. “How goes the work?” the Farmer asks, “Quack!” says the Duck. This wonderfully illustrated and funny book from Martin Waddell tells the tale of the hardworking duck how does everything from feeding the cows to shooing the hens safely into their coop at night without a rest. When the farmer’s incessant question of “How goes the work?” gets too much for duck his friends the cows, sheep and hens, who love duck very much, have a meeting with all the other farm animals to find a solution to poor duck’s plight and rid themselves of the lazy farmer. Through the story children learn how working together and helping out friends is the right thing to do and ultimately reaps rewards whereas being lazy like the farmer won’t get you very far! Martin Waddell is no stranger to writing successful children’s stories and doesn’t disappoint with this delightfully engaging and slightly quirky tale.

The illustrations by children’s book favourite Helen Oxenbury are as integral to the story as the words and convey so beautifully the humour of Waddell’s story and touching affection of duck’s friends that make this a book that children will want you to read again and again. It is no wonder then that this book has won the Smarties Book Prize and the British Book Award’s Children’s Illustrated Book of the Year.