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Make Way for Ducklings
Make Way For Ducklings - Original Book Cover
Make Way for Ducklings received the 1942 Caldecott Medal for its illustrations.
Author Robert McCloskey
Illustrator Robert McCloskey
Cover artist Robert McCloskey
Country United States
Genre Children's picture book
Publisher The Viking Press
Publication date
1941
Media type Hardback
Pages 68
ISBN 0-670-45149-5
OCLC 192241

Make Way for Ducklings is a beloved children's picture book. It was written and illustrated by Robert McCloskey. This classic story was first published in 1941.

The book tells the tale of two mallard ducks, Mr. and Mrs. Mallard. They are looking for a safe place to raise their family. They finally choose an island in the lagoon at the Boston Public Garden. This is a beautiful park right in the middle of Boston, Massachusetts.

About the Book's Success

Make Way for Ducklings quickly became very popular. It won the 1942 Caldecott Medal. This award is given for the best illustrations in an American children's book. Robert McCloskey drew the pictures using charcoal. Then, they were printed using a special method called lithography.

By 2003, over two million copies of the book had been sold. Its popularity led to a special tribute. A statue of Mrs. Mallard and her eight ducklings was placed in the Boston Public Garden. This statue is a favorite spot for visitors.

A Special Gift to Russia

The book's fame even reached around the world. In 1991, Barbara Bush, who was the First Lady of the United States, gave a copy of this duckling statue to Raisa Gorbachev. Raisa Gorbachev was the First Lady of the Soviet Union. This gift was part of an important agreement called the START Treaty. The statue is now in Moscow's Novodevichy Park.

Official Book of Massachusetts

Make Way for Ducklings is also the official children's book of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For over 60 years, people have loved this book. They especially praise its beautiful pictures and gentle story flow.

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