The Quacken

April 1, 2024
When young Hector arrives with his
family at seemly Cucumonga Campground, where legend has it that a creature lurks in the lake’s depths, the other kids quickly give him an earful: “Don’t go near the ducks! Don’t look at the ducks! Don’t even think about the ducks. And whatever you do, DO NOT FEED THE DUCKS!” But the birds in question look so cute and so hungry that “Hector broke the most important rule of all.” As soon as he runs out of bread, a cataclysm envelops the campground, and out of the lake emerges a massive duck, “THE QUACKEN,” which blocks out the sun, flattens latrines, and swallows canoes. Debut author Colón and Pino (Pumpkin Day at the Zoo) mix broad spoofs of horror tropes (a scene in a seemingly empty house with a mysteriously ringing phone is particularly evocative) with the silly extravagance and tight pacing of an 11-minute cartoon. And when a gag both comical and literal finally saves Hector, the story proves itself to be all in good fun, resulting in a lighthearted vibe that’s nothing to quack at. Human characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Jennifer March Soloway, Andrea Brown Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Atlanta Japp, Advocate Art.

May 15, 2024
The legend of a giant, dangerous duck at Cucumonga Campground looms large. Young Hector and his family are on vacation. Everything seems pleasant except for the many objects that have gone missing and the warnings Hector keeps receiving. Everyone tells him not to interact with the ducks. Don't go near them, don't look at them, and absolutely, positively, do not feed them. To further emphasize the point, "DO NOT FEED THE DUCKS" signs pop up every few feet at the campground. So what does Hector do? He feeds the ducks. They just look so cute and hungry. Amid the many feathers flapping, a large, foreboding shadow suddenly crosses the lake. Col�n builds suspense through short, clipped narration. The weather turns ominous, and people flee in terror--it's...THE QUACKEN! The fearsome, colossal wildfowl has appeared! It's always one step ahead of Hector until there is no escape. Hector is popped into the duck's bill like a delicious morsel. But, luckily for Hector, "children taste terrible." Reminiscent of old, cheesy horror films, this tale will make a hilariously over-the-top read-aloud. Pino ramps up the drama in his illustrations, alternating full-page spreads with graphic novel-like panels and vignettes. Hector and his family are brown-skinned, while other campers are racially diverse. Pitch-perfect tension and delightful silliness. (Picture book. 4-7)

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July 1, 2024
A legend about a "fearsome, ferocious, frightening creature" in a campsite lake and a warning not to feed the ducks go unheeded in this picture book. A young boy feeds the birds, unleashing the Quacken, a gigantic duck whose "wings were so wide they blocked out the sun." The beast eventually picks up the boy and gives him a big lick, leading to the realization that "children taste terrible." Pino's digital illustrations emphasize absurdity of an enormous menacing duck and include some minor gross-out humor, while Colon's funny text makes for a good summer vacation read aloud.

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)