Lucky Duck

Susan the duck, cartooned by Pizzoli in crisp black lines filled with sherbet-hued greens, oranges, and pinks, is experiencing a streak of rotten luck. The roller skates she ordered are too big, an inconveniently situated light bulb burns out, her pickle jar is empty, she can’t find her favorite marble, and hornets are nesting in a tree outside her window. But amid these unfortunate events, all witnessed by a tiny insect in Susan’s home, glimmers of good luck abound when a formally dressed wolf starts dropping by, bearing various elements needed for soup (“You have won this fabulous pot!... And now you have won these wonderful onions!”). Readers will guess at the wolf’s motives long before a reveal that duck soup is on the menu, but an elaborate narrative turn offers high comedy—and bad luck turned good—as Susan’s previous perceived misfortunes become instrumental in driving the wolf away. Offering soup for thought about using luck as a lens to make sense of the world, it’s a briskly told story whose baddie’s comeuppance is reminiscent of Home Alone. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 3–7. (Feb.)