Candlewick has selected NINE DUCKS NINE to be a BIG Book because it exemplifies the qualities — rhythmic texts, repetitive words, dynamic illustrations, and engaging story lines — that make large-format books so useful in helping children to read and learn. From Publishers Weekly Mr. Fox inevitably gets his comeuppance after spying (hungrily) on a flock of clever ducks in what PW called a "lighthearted" and "merry" counting book in rhyme. Ages 3-up. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. From School Library Journal PreSchool-- An original story that reads like a fingerplay."Nine ducks nine walked out in line./ Mr. Fox was watching./One duck ran away,/ down to the rickety bridge." On each double-page spread, there is one less duck, the fox gets closer, and the bridge becomes more crowded. Finally, Mr. Fox pounces, the bridge breaks, and he falls into the river, after which he "went home to his den and never chased those ducks again." Hayes' slightly overfull watercolor and ink illustrations are endearing. Eight of the nine ducks are white; the yellow-and-black speckled one that resembles a large duckling is, of course, the last to go. On each page, speech balloons allow the ducks to comment, ("Foxes are silly," "He can't see me," "He's coming," "I'm hungry," "I'm off!"). The fox isbig, scruffy, and klutzy--menacing without looking actually dangerous. The text does not flow smoothly, since only one line per page rhymes. The art and story line are, nonetheless, appealing and will be enjoyed by preschoolers. --JoAnn Rees, Sunnyvale Pub . Lib . , CA Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc