Duck is literally an odd duck: he doesn’t like water of any kind, not for swimming or paddling, or even in raindrop form. One dark and stormy night Duck finds a lost Frog outside his door. Days go by as Duck and Frog try in vain to find Frog’s home, until mail carrier Pelican comes by and offers to deliver the amphibian. With Frog gone, though, Duck’s house doesn’t feel like home anymore, and he sets out to reunite with his friend. This story is simple and sweet, but it’s Small’s illustrations that truly shine. Full of Wallace-and-Gromit-esque cuteness, Small’s wispy digital art pops in primary colors and clean, white backgrounds that make dramatic sequences such as the storm that brings Duck and Frog together (and the later storm Duck must brave to find Frog) all the more compelling. Frog’s small, stout figure and comically long legs are a delightful foil to Duck’s height and the broad curves of his vibrantly yellow rain hat and coat. Side character details add to the charm, with hard hat–wearing Beaver fixing Duck’s roof, otters in fly-fishing waders offering directions, and bespectacled Mole calmly sipping tea from a china cup. With plenty of visual Easter eggs and longer chunks of text, this is better suited to one-on-one bedtime cuddles than a larger storytime, especially since Duck and Frog are snuggled down for their own nap on the final pages. KP

– BCCB, February 1, 2021

Duck dislikes swimming, boating, and (basically) water. One stormy night, he discovers a very wet frog at his doorstep and gives him shelter. The next day, they search for Frog’s home, without success. When the mail-delivery pelican arrives, he recognizes Frog and offers him a ride home across the river. After thanking Duck, Frog leaves. For several days, nothing seems right to Duck. Something is missing. Crossing the river despite pelting rain, he finds Frog and, after a joyful reunion, says, “Home doesn’t feel like home if you’re not there!” Frog concurs with a hearty “RIBBIT” and happily moves back in with Duck. Small, who illustrated Smriti Prasadam- Halls’ I’m Sticking with You (2020), makes his authorial debut with this sweet-spirited offering in which the narrator smoothly interprets Frog’s ribbits, adding to the story’s levity. The book’s charm and gentle humor lie in Small’s expressive depiction of characters in the digital artwork. The richly colored, dramatic storm scenes, which contrast beautifully with the otherwise light, bright illustrations, are particularly fine. A fortuitous, foul-weather friendship.

– Booklist, Online Exclusive, January 29, 2021