A rhythmic, repetitive text follows the efforts of one stuck duck as two fish, three moose, and so on up to ten dragonflies try to free the duck. When all help together, the duck comes free of the muck. The language is playful and rich in onomatopoeia, and the colorful gouache paintings are humorous.

One duck gets stuck in the muck, down by the deep green marsh, and two fish, tails going swish, try unsuccessfully to help. So do three moose, four crickets, and so on, until all the animals team up to successfully liberate the duck. Perfect for reading aloud, this counting book not only contains bright bold illustrations but also has lots of clomp, clomp and splish, splish, as well as other sound effects that children will love to replicate. In addition, little ones will quickly recognize the refrain on each double spread and chime in. This book is great fun and sure to become an instant favorite among the toddler crowd. (Reviewed April 1, 1998)

PreS-Gr 1--This colorful counting book tells the tale of a poor duck that has one foot "stuck in the muck." In quick succession, groups of different animals try to set the victim free-two fish, three moose, four crickets, etc. None of the creatures is successful until they all work together and the beleaguered bird is finally able to fly away. Bold, playful, gouache paintings featuring bright rich colors show the bird's plight. The duck's frustration, surprise, and ultimate delight are evident in the expressive artwork. Unfortunately, the repetitive narrative is not as effective. The sentences are long and the rhyme is sometimes forced ("Nine snakes/leaving little wakes/slither to the duck./Slink, slink"). Still, a skilled reader may be able to transform this into a rollicking read-aloud and the illustrations will carry well in a group setting. Children will be eager to repeat the chant, "Help! Help! Who can help?"--Heide Piehler, Shorewood Public Library, WI