Odd Duck by Cecil Castellucci, art by Sara Varon
Review by Lauren
copy sent for review, but all opinions are my own
Due Out May 14, 2013
Official Summary: Theodora is a perfectly normal duck. She may swim with a teacup balanced on her head and stay north when the rest of the ducks fly south for the winter, but there’s nothing so odd about that. Chad, on the other hand, is one strange bird. Theodora quite likes him, but she can’t overlook his odd habits. It’s a good thing Chad has a normal friend like Theodora to set a good example for him. But who exactly is the odd duck here? Theodora may not like the answer.
Review: Odd Duck is a seriously adorable graphic novel. It says it’s for ages 5 and up, and I’d agree with that. Obviously, the messages you learn in Odd Duck are suitable for any age but it’s always great to start kids out young knowing that it’s okay to be different (or have friends/family members that are!) After all, everyone is a bit quirky in their own way, right?
Castellucci writes an easy-to-read (or read-aloud) story with a duo of fun characters in Theodora and Chad. As for Varon, I’ve never seen her work before but I’m definitely a fan. All the pages are in full color and each page is full of whimsical drawings, with a lovely amount of smaller details. Along with these fun additions, Castellucci has little notes on many of the pages that are part of the story, yet not the main narration or dialogue. For example, there are some scenes where Theodora is shopping and next to certain ducks, it will say, for example, “(Gabe, the grocer, Good Duck).”
While this is certainly a book with a message, it’s not one that I felt hit you over the head. It’s essentially along the lines of: Theodora is quite fine being on her own until she finds someone similar to her…but what if he’s not the odd one, and she is? Is that so bad?
Question for the Comments: What makes you an “Odd Duck”?
As for me, I think I’m very odd in a lot of different ways. I love smelling books, especially graphic novels (Odd Duck smells very good, by the way!) and sometimes I find myself doing it in public…whoops! I’m also one of those people that start using a word or phrase for awhile; it kind of becomes my thing, even though it’s not even on purpose. At one point, it was the word “issues.” And finally, I love watching British TV or movies, but if I do for awhile, I start randomly breaking into a British accent…though I can’t hear it! It’s usually my sister that has to point out that it happened.
LOL, yep, I totally get a British accent if I watch too many shows/movies with an accent. It's totally not on purpose! And I smell books too. Actually not long ago I got a package and my kids were with at the mailbox and they were both clamoring for me to open it so they could smell it. So we're all standing out there at the curb smelling and petting my book. Yeah, our neighbors probably think we're nuts!
This book sounds adorable and like one my daughter would love!
This sounds very cute.
I wish I could speak with a British accent. I'm not good with accents.
Loving the idea of Theodora swimming around with a teacup balanced on her head.
What makes me an odd duck? Now there's a question. Viewed as odd as a girl because I wasn't a 'sheep' who followed the crowd as I got older I seemed to be viewed as more eccentric than odd. Same thing really, it just seems to be more acceptable to be thought of as eccentric.
Looks and sounds very cute
Looks cute – I like Castellucci's work!
I am odd for many reasons, one of which is my laugh sounds like a quack.
This sounds really cute and fun. I will watch for it for my kids. Your lists of quirks was funny too. I don't smell books very often because I mostly read on my ereader. I am sure your fake British accent is hilarious!
Sounds so cute! Love your odd duck abilities! 😀 Would love to hear your accent! My odd duck ability? I can make people around me roll their eyes without trying… LOL
Aww, this does sound adorable! I can totally see younger kids enjoying it. I think in an English accent after watching too much British TV/films!
Oh CUTE!! Seriously, seriously cute. So nice you thought so highly of this one. I totally smell books, too! I'm not sure that makes me an odd duck though – it's perfectly reasonable, I say, haha!
This looks like such an adorable tale – like a hip version of 'The Ugly Duckling'. 🙂
It would be very boring if we were all the same. 🙂 I'm glad you liked this! It sounds adorable, and I'm glad that it gets a great message across too. Brilliant review!