Mr. McCloskey's Marvelous MallardsMr. McCloskey's Marvelous Mallards

This behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the classic and beloved picture book Make Way for Ducklings will captivate young artists, writers, readers, and animal lovers alike.

While writing and illustrating the beloved picture book Make Way for Ducklings, Robert McCloskey brings a flock of ducklings into his tiny New York City apartment. But an artist + a bunch of ducklings in his apartment = chaos! There are ducklings in the bathtub and ducklings in the kitchen, quacking at dawn and sitting on his desk. Can he learn to draw them just right before they grow too big?

This glimpse into the creation of a much-loved story for kids is a must-read for fans of children’s books, or for anyone who is interested in the creative process and the importance of persistence.

“Emma Smith has done a bang-up job imagining how my father wrote Make Way for Ducklings. I enjoyed reading her book.” —Jane McCloskey, daughter of Robert McCloskey and author ofRobert McCloskey: A Private Life in Words and Pictures

“A wonderfully rollicking rendition of the story behind the story.” —Gary D. Schmidt, Newbery Honor-winning author of books for children and author of Robert McCloskey
Robert McCloskey finds himself navigating the delightful chaos of raising a flock of ducklings in his cramped New York City apartment, facing challenges as he tries to capture their essence through his illustrations before they outgrow their adorable stage.
This captivating behind-the-scenes look at the creation of a much-loved story shows readers how the author brought a flock of ducklings into his tiny NYC apartment where chaos ensued as he tried to study and draw them. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations.