
Platypus
Chris Riddell
Written by Amy Hest
Illustrated by Jill Barton
Suitable for: 0-5 years, 5-7 years (Key stage 1)
Sponsored by: Castletons
Available braille grades: Grade 1, Grade 2
Poor Baby Duck just hates the rain. Her parents can’t understand it, but Grandpa understands, and he knows just what to do to make Baby Duck happy. Amy Hest’s witty story is perfectly matched by Jill Barton’s bold illustrations.
We've got two big blobs towards the top of the page: Mr and Mrs Duck, arm-in-arm waddling along quite happily in the rain. Grown-up ducks aren't yellow, like Baby Duck - they're white - but they still have the orange feet. Mr and Mrs Duck are walking away from us, so we're seeing them from the back. Let's explore the left-hand shape first: that's Mrs Duck. (Pause) Find her feet at the bottom of the shape: they're much closer together than Baby Duck's - she's just pottering gently along, rather than striding out against the rain like her daughter. Mrs Duck's tail is sticking jauntily up, just up and to the left of her legs. You should be able to feel the feathers on her tail.
Baby duck
Two white ducks holding wings
Big white duck in stripey waistcoat
Baby duck in wellingtons and holding an umbrella
Chris Riddell
Penny Dann
The Living Paintings
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