The Story of Little Quack

In Gibson's first picture book, a lonely boy named Jackie lives on a farm where there are plenty of animals, none of which has any interest in playing with him. When Jackie's mother buys him a pet duck, the two become fast friends, and the boy is very sad when Little Quack disappears. She turns up at a nearby pond, but then takes off again. Many weeks pass before Jackie finds her again--swimming in a brook with her 10 little ``quacklings.'' The duck family returns home with Jackie, who will never be lonely again. This is a pleasant if somewhat prosaic story, competently illustrated with Denton's ( The Picnic ; Before I Go to Sleep ) gentle watercolors. Though the book is not particularly distinctive, preschoolers may enjoy identifying the many barnyard animals on Jackie's farm. Ages 4-8. (Apr.)