Lulu and the Duck in the Park (Lulu, #1) By Hilary McKay

Lulu can't understand people who don't like animals - people like her teacher, Mrs Holiday. When Lulu tries to help Mrs Holiday to find her perfect pet, she is banned from bringing an animal to school ever again! Then Lulu rescues an abandoned duck egg. She's going to have to take it to school to keep it safe. Lulu and the Duck in the Park (Lulu, #1)

Hilary McKay º 2 Characters

Lulu and the Duck in the Park was quite the adventure. I found the book to be fun-loving, clever, and bright. I loved the educational component associated with the story and the diversity that was depicted through the presented relationships. I loved that Lulu was of ethnic origin. I thought this served as such a positive and had the potential to open up a huge door in terms of possibilities for children who quite often don't hear of minorities working with or caring for animals.

In this particular story, readers are introduced to Lulu, a sweet, little girl who has a great big heart for animals. We get to see how she cares for her animals, as well as find out the one thing she won't do with regard to her animals. We are also introduced to her family, her friends, and even her teacher. Ultimately, readers get to witness the delightfully funny lengths that Lulu goes to in order to educate others and keep her beloved animals safe.

My family and I will definitely be following Lulu on her future adventures.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. The words I have expressed are my own.
96 Lulu and the Duck in the Park / Hilary McKay / 2012
Genre: fiction
Format: juvenile lit./ middle reader
Plot summary: Lulu, who loves animals, brings an abandoned duck egg to school, even though her teacher has banned Lulu from bringing animals to school ever again.
Considerations: none

Review citation:School Library Journal, vol 58, issue 11
he satisfying ending will have children awaiting the next installment in what is likely to become a hit series for fans of other plucky characters like Horrible Harry, Stink, and Junie B. Jones.

Section source: ALA Notable Children's Books, 2013
Recommended age: 8-10 96 Lulu is a perfect champion of the neighborhood animal kingdom.

Two of my favorite things come together. An early chapter book and Hilary McKay. The world needs more of both.

I would give these and the CALPURNIA TATE, GIRL VET books to my young students can't get enough of reading about cats and dogs and other critters. 96 This first book about Lulu establishes her as an animal lover and nurturer. When dogs wreak havoc in the park near the school, Lulu rescues a duck egg. Conscious of the fact that her teacher is barely tolerating their class guinea pig, she does her best to keep the egg under wraps. But then the egg begins to hatch! Lulu and her friend Mellie have some Lucy and Ethel type moments in the book. The situations are not too girly, so boys who love animals will also enjoy getting to know Lulu. Loved the illustrations! 96 I can still say I like everything Hilary McKay writes. Lulu is for younger readers than the Casson family stories, but it's just as good.

Lulu loves animals. Attempts to share that love with her teacher bring the threat that if any more animals are brought to school, Class Three will have to give up their guinea pig for Class Two's stick insects, a fate no one wants.

So, when Lulu almost accidently rescues a duck egg from destruction, she is placed in a major quandry when the egg starts to hatch that very same day while she is still at school. She didn't bring an animal to school, but she is shortly going to have one there.

And I loved the illustrations as much as I loved the story. No mention is ever made of anyone's skin color, but if you are looking, you'll notice that Lulu is black and so are several of her friends and classmates. Her teacher and other classmates are white. The thing I love is that it doesn't matter. It's NOT part of the story in any way.

Readers of Ivy and Bean and Ramona's fans will all enjoy Lulu. 96

One Sentence Review: Though I am admittedly less than enamored of McKay's Casson tales, I was rather charmed by this story of a girl and her much desired duckling. 96 This is a sweet story about Lulu, a little girl who loves animals. Lulu is a very believable character; she is imperfect, but she is kind and caring toward the people around her, as well as to the animals she is always bringing home. The illustrations are not the best I’ve seen, but still fun and helpful. Animal-loving children will really enjoy making friends with Lulu. I wish our library had more than just the first title in the series. 3rd -4th grade. 96 The first in the Lulu books. We get a brief introduction to Lulu and her cousin Mellie, and then the action begins. The bulk of this story takes place all in one day at school. Lulu and Mellie's class goes to the park, and after two dogs wreak havoc among the duck nests, breaking all the eggs, Lulu spies one unbroken egg and smuggles it back to school under her sweater. Will she be caught by the other students or her teacher? And what is that cracking sound during story time? Good pacing and just the right amount of suspense with a satisfying ending to the high jinks. 96 I found this book on a list of elementary chapter books with black protagonists. It is a DRA level 30, or a Guided Reading level N (early 3rd grade level).

This is a beautifully written take on the classic juvenile fiction topic of children obsessed with pets/animals and pet rescue. Lulu has a loving heart, asking herself 'what would I want if I were this animal?' and showing fascination and fondness for all sorts of animals, from mice to dogs to slugs to ducklings.

While at the park with her class one day, Lulu rescues an egg after dogs rampaged through an area full of duck nests in spring. The story follows her and her close friend Mellie as she tries to keep the egg a secret beneath her sweater throughout the rest of the school day. It ends with an unexpected hatching and returning the duck to its mother at the park.

The characters in this story are well detailed and highly relatable. From the ever-forgetful Mellie, to the kind but no-nonsense teacher Mrs. Holiday, they come together to create a joyful tale centering on love for animals and friendship. I highly recommend adding this series to your class library! 96 Loved this series starter. Lulu is an animal-loving girl who is always trying to bring home new pets. Her teacher does not like animals, and there may have been an incident with Lulu's dog that put Lulu on her teacher's bad side. Then one day, the class is in the park near their school where there are lots of new ducklings and eggs about to hatch. Two loose dogs scare the birds and trample their nests, leaving many of the eggs broken. Lulu manages to snatch one of the eggs before it breaks and keep it warm under her school sweater....until it starts to hatch in class!

This is just a super cute book with great characters that any kid would love. 96