“Mamma Duck’s ducklings are adorably outfitted in their top hats with different colored hat bands as they begin to play a favorite game of hide-and-seek. The first three ducklings are always able to hide successfully from their mother, while Dawdle chooses to hind behind different friends he meets who do not quite cover him up. His mother discovers his tail behind a turtle, his wings behind a frog and his feet behind a fish which all give him away. Finally, Dawdle’s new friends team up to help Dawdle reach success in the game. The repetitive text of the game will have children predicting what mother duck is going to say. The concept of teamwork and friendship is clear message for preschoolers who will be attracted to this picture book. The bright and cheerful pastel colors and friendly, lovable characters will have young readers wanting to read the companion Dawdle Duckling book.” ~Melissa A. Caudill, Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (reprinted in full with permission of the publisher)

”When Mama Duck plays hide and seek with her four little ducklings, the fourth duckling, Dawdle Duckling, is always easy to find because he spends more time meeting new friends than paying attention to keeping himself well hidden. Each time that Dawdle Duckling meets a new friend, he hastily hides himself and confidently exclaims: “Now, quack, quack, Mama can’t find me.” but each time Mama Duck is able to spot Dawdle Duckling by the tail, wings, and feet that he forgets to hide. After Mama Duck easily finds him three times, Dawdle Duck’s new friends join together to help him find the best hiding spot of all. With a little help from his friends and carefully tucked tail, wings, and feet, Dawdle Duck outwits his clever mother and wins the game. This companion book to Dawdle Duck presents a repetitive and game-like format and an emphasis on counting that will appeal to preschool readers. Its active, bright pastel illustrations expand upon the narrative of the text, enriching its simplistic story with imaginative and playful scenes.” ~ Meredith Ackroyd, Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (reprinted in full with permission of the publisher)

". . .DAWDLE DUCKLING is up to his old tricks. Scenes of the hero's friends attempting to obscure the hero from his mother's view during hide-and-see will have readers chortling." Publishers Weekly 

"This book, like Dawdle Duckling (Dial, 2003), sports inviting pastels and a vigorous text in an easy-to-read font.  Its ingenuous plot doesn't meander--although its main character does."  School Library Journal

"The intense, sunny pastels match the atmosphere of a jolly day at the beach (complete with the duck family in straw boaters); they also fit Dawdle's bright, goofy, imperturbable spirit." Booklist 03-10-05

". . . toddlers will identify with this friendly duckling who does things his own way." Kirkus 01-01-05

"A great tale of friendship and cooperation." Boston Herald  03-06-05

"Children will enjoy spotting Dawdle's feet, wings or tail in the illustrations and thinking about where they might hide if they were part of the game." Jacqueline Briggs Martin, Cedar Rapids (IA) Gazette 04-03-05

“The story is very readable and clear, which is helpful in understanding the plot for this grade level. It also contains counting which will help younger children and maintain their interest as well.” Kutztown University Book Review, Spring 2006

"This second book in the series is a joyful book that encourages memorization and print-recognition reading through its repetition."
The Reading Tub

"To a toddler, the funniest thing in a book is when a character makes a mistake. Toddlers, who are constantly testing and learning the boundaries of what is right and wrong, will find a hero in Dawdle Duckling." Kirsten Cappy.  Mainely Kids