Hello, friends! Our book today is Duck On A Disco Ball by Jeff Mack, a story that imagines just what it is that grown-ups are up to after their kids go to bed.
A little boy resists his bedtime, citing a number of serious (yet unlikely) events that he would miss if he were sleeping: what if a giant boulder smashes the house? Or a bunch of cows come for a party? His parents remind him that growing little boys need sleep, but he asks an all-too-familiar question: how come THEY get to stay up? After all, what is it that adults do after their children’s bedtimes? Finding his stuffed duck draped over a disco ball the next day, the boy decides to stay up to find out… but is he ready for the wild surprises in store?
I feel like this is a pretty common question that kids have for their parents, and the book proposes some amusingly ludicrous scenarios: the boy’s toy duck comes to life and, with the parents, hosts a rollicking party filled with talking farm animals, jumping on the couch, delicious snacks, and even a quite literal “rock” concert. The illustrations capture a sense of frenzied, disorganized fun, perfect for a party. And the reader is left with a question as to whether the events were real or only a dream in a way that extends the joke without being frustrating. But be aware: this book is PUNNY. SO many puns. Kids love them, so it works well in context, but oh man. I definitely groaned internally at a few. However, if puns are your thing, this is a fantastic romp that will delight little readers – even if it may make them want to stay up a little later. The length was good, JJ enjoyed it, and this one is Baby Bookworm approved!
(Note: A copy of this books was provided to The Baby Bookworm by a representative of the author in exchange for an honest review.)